Eric Suder

As a 30-year veteran of business and philanthropy, Eric Suder has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others.

Since 2008, Eric and his wife, Deborah, have been working to transform higher education by serving the unique needs of First-Generation college students. In 2009, the Suders launched a family foundation and created the First Scholars® Program, a holistic network of resources and support to dramatically improve graduation rates and unlock the success of First Gen students across education, career, and life. In 2017, The Suder Foundation partnered with NASPA to establish the Center for First-generation Student Success and scale First Scholars nationally.

In 1987, Eric founded Estech Systems, a pioneer of integrated business communication systems that powers innovation by connecting people and ideas. To this day, ESI reinvests profits to propel company growth and remains a privately funded company. Through his work leading ESI, Eric has been awarded ten patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office and continues to serve as Chairman of the ESI Board of Directors.

Eric’s vision for building communication networks extends to his passion for building community. His strong commitment to social responsibility led ESI to develop and participate in numerous global and community programs dedicated to making a positive impact in the community. ESI’s “Success with Significance” philosophy remains a hallmark of the company.