Accomplished alumni Susie Kuhn ’97 and Sara Gomez Horta ’17 bring global leadership and public service expertise to Linfield’s governing board
The Linfield University Board of Trustees has appointed two distinguished alumni to its ranks, welcoming Susie Kuhn ’97 and Sara Gomez Horta ’17 as new members. Both bring valuable perspectives and a shared passion for Linfield, continuing the university’s tradition of strong alumni leadership and service.
Susie Kuhn ’97: Global executive in athletic apparel and retail
A seasoned international business leader, Kuhn started as the president of Wolverine Worldwide Active Brand Group in 2024, overseeing well-known labels including Merrell, Saucony and Chaco.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Linfield, she held early buying roles at Meier & Frank, Adidas and Target. Since then, her high-profile career has spanned the retail and sportswear industries.
From 2018-2023, Kuhn held executive roles at Foot Locker, Inc. as the president and general manager Europe, Middle East and Africa. Prior to that, she was the executive director of corporate strategy for URBN (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People and Nuuly). From 2004-2018, she navigated a 15-year tenure at Nike, Inc. across Portland, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Boston, and rose to vice president of Converse China.
She holds an MBA from the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, an adjunct MBA from Jiao Tong University Antai School of Business in Shanghai, China, and C-Suite Executive Education Certification from Wharton School of Business.
Kuhn was named Linfield’s Outstanding Young Alumnus in 2010 and was featured in the “Linfield Magazine” article, “Putting Her Best Foot Forward” in 2021.
Linfield was a critical part of my journey in becoming a successful and functioning adult. I owe the institution a lot; the strong connections I made with my professors and administrators, the critical thinking skills I honed through the liberal arts environment, the early leadership roles I was able to hold on campus. I want to make an impact in securing that experience for the next generation.
– Susie Kuhn
Sara Gomez Horta ’17: Advocate for immigration policy and equity
Gomez Horta is the founder and CEO of Tesoro, a wealth management platform designed for Latinas. She recently graduated from Columbia University with a master’s degree in public administration and is working on Tesoro from the Columbia Startup Lab in SoHo. Columbia University featured Gomez Horta’s commitment to financial literacy for young Latinas: “This SIPA Student’s Start-up Helps Young Latinas Plan Their Financial Futures”
She graduated from Linfield with a bachelor’s degree in political science and English with a minor in law, rights and justice. Prior to attending graduate school, she spent six years in Washington, D.C., working for an immigrants’ rights policy start-up incubated by the Emerson Collective.
Gomez Horta joined Linfield’s Alumni Leadership Council in 2024, where she has served as a dynamic voice for young alumni. Known for her dedication to public service and higher education access, she remains actively engaged with the Linfield community.
My desire to join the Linfield Board of Trustees stems from a deep understanding of how transformative higher education can be for first-generation students like myself. As a board member, I hope to help expand Linfield’s reach and national reputation by strengthening our ability to recruit talented students from diverse backgrounds across the country. I look forward to showcasing our unique strengths, such as our close-knit community, excellent faculty and leadership development to compete more effectively with larger institutions.”
– Sara Gomez Horta
Building a stronger future together
“We are pleased to welcome Susie Kuhn and Sara Gomez Horta to the Board of Trustees,” said Chair Lucinda Day Fournier ’95. “They represent the best of what Linfield alumni can accomplish — leading global businesses, driving social impact and staying deeply connected to their alma mater.”
The Linfield Board of Trustees is the university’s governing body, responsible for advancing Linfield’s mission and long-term strategic goals. Trustees serve as stewards of the university’s financial health, academic excellence and community impact.
With the addition of Kuhn and Gomez Horta, the board gains both experience and energy from two accomplished women whose professional and personal journeys reflect the values of a Linfield education.
