Full Name
Susan Combs
Job Title
CEO
Company
Combs & Company, LLC
Speaker Bio
Susan L. Combs launched her entrepreneurial journey in 2005, founding Combs & Company at the age of 26. Since then, she and her team have become the trusted go-to for companies often overlooked by insurance carriers, such as those in entertainment, food, and international spheres entering the U.S. market.
With a knack for navigating the ever-changing insurance landscape, Susan has collected certifications like prized trading cards, including the esteemed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) certification. Her expertise in health insurance, akin to Sherlock Holmes, has made her the sought-after guru on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), regularly called upon as a witness, advisor, and speaker.
But Susan’s story took on a new dimension with a request that had nothing to do with business—her father, the late Major General Roger E. Combs, simply asked for pancakes. That humble ask became a powerful metaphor: a reminder that life can change in an instant and that there is always something to be grateful for, even in the hardest moments. That moment sparked a movement.
In 2018, Susan turned that metaphor into momentum, launching fundraising efforts for the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic. Since then, Pancakes for Roger has raised thousands of dollars annually to support the Clinic’s work on behalf of Veterans in need of legal care and advocacy.
In 2022, she published Pancakes for Roger: A Mentorship Guide for Slaying Dragons—part leadership manual, part tribute to her father’s legacy—which became the foundation for the next chapter. In 2023, Pancakes for Roger Inc. was officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with Susan at the helm as Executive Director. The nonprofit’s mission is clear and focused: Creating pathways to improve the lives of Veterans and their communities.
Susan also serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Missouri Law School Veterans Clinic, is a Trustee for the University of Missouri Jefferson Club, and volunteers with Hospice. She made history as the youngest-ever National President (2014–2015) of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS), and has earned numerous accolades—including the 2011 Graduate Of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D) Award and the distinction of being the first female to receive BenefitsPro Magazine’s Broker of the Year Award in 2017.
Originally from King City, MO, Susan was raised alongside her older brother Matt by her entrepreneurial mother and her father—a county judge and Major General. After nearly a quarter century in NYC, she now lives in New Hampshire with her husband Sean and their fury kids, Pepper and Roxy. Outside of work, she’s a CrossFit and Strongman enthusiast, proudly benching over 200lbs—because yes, she really does slay dragons.
With a knack for navigating the ever-changing insurance landscape, Susan has collected certifications like prized trading cards, including the esteemed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) certification. Her expertise in health insurance, akin to Sherlock Holmes, has made her the sought-after guru on the Affordable Care Act (ACA), regularly called upon as a witness, advisor, and speaker.
But Susan’s story took on a new dimension with a request that had nothing to do with business—her father, the late Major General Roger E. Combs, simply asked for pancakes. That humble ask became a powerful metaphor: a reminder that life can change in an instant and that there is always something to be grateful for, even in the hardest moments. That moment sparked a movement.
In 2018, Susan turned that metaphor into momentum, launching fundraising efforts for the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic. Since then, Pancakes for Roger has raised thousands of dollars annually to support the Clinic’s work on behalf of Veterans in need of legal care and advocacy.
In 2022, she published Pancakes for Roger: A Mentorship Guide for Slaying Dragons—part leadership manual, part tribute to her father’s legacy—which became the foundation for the next chapter. In 2023, Pancakes for Roger Inc. was officially established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, with Susan at the helm as Executive Director. The nonprofit’s mission is clear and focused: Creating pathways to improve the lives of Veterans and their communities.
Susan also serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Missouri Law School Veterans Clinic, is a Trustee for the University of Missouri Jefferson Club, and volunteers with Hospice. She made history as the youngest-ever National President (2014–2015) of Women in Insurance & Financial Services (WIFS), and has earned numerous accolades—including the 2011 Graduate Of the Last Decade (G.O.L.D) Award and the distinction of being the first female to receive BenefitsPro Magazine’s Broker of the Year Award in 2017.
Originally from King City, MO, Susan was raised alongside her older brother Matt by her entrepreneurial mother and her father—a county judge and Major General. After nearly a quarter century in NYC, she now lives in New Hampshire with her husband Sean and their fury kids, Pepper and Roxy. Outside of work, she’s a CrossFit and Strongman enthusiast, proudly benching over 200lbs—because yes, she really does slay dragons.
Speaking At
