Suzanne Abair
Professional Affiliation: President and Chief Operating Officer, Northland, a real estate private equity firm, and Co-Owner and CEO, Atlanta Dream (WNBA)Â
Background and Community Activities:Â
Suzanne oversees day-to-day management of all aspects of Northland’s operations and plays a leading role in setting and monitoring the company’s vision and strategy. During her tenure as COO, Suzanne has focused on best practices, diversity and inclusion, technology initiatives, operating efficiencies, and creating a more employee-focused culture. Suzanne joined the company in 2004 and served as Northland’s General Counsel for twelve years prior to becoming COO. During her tenure as General Counsel, Suzanne had oversight of all the company’s legal matters including acquisitions, dispositions, financings, fund formation, and litigation.Â
In addition to her work at Northland, Suzanne became a Co-Owner and CEO of the Atlanta Dream (WNBA), a women’s professional basketball team, in March 2021 and oversees the day-to-day operations for the organization. She works closely with the team’s senior leadership to ensure goals established for the organization are being met while also serving as the team’s representative on the WNBA Board of Governors. Suzanne is also a member of the Dream Big! National Advisory Board, a non-profit organization that seeks to empower girls and young women through sport and physical activities.Â
Suzanne was a Partner at Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo P.C., where she represented Northland in private practice for seven years before joining Northland as General Counsel. Prior to that, Suzanne was an Associate at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in New York.Â
Suzanne holds a B.S. from Ithaca College, magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo School of Law, summa cum laude.Â