RENO, NV, July 21, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Chelsea Suschena has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Miss Suschena has distinguished herself as a dynamic leader and entrepreneur in Reno, Nevada, where she is the owner of The Clay Canvas. Since acquiring the business in 2018, she has managed all aspects of operations and accounting, demonstrating exceptional expertise in operations management and project management. Her hands-on approach includes covering shifts for employees, overseeing procurement and advertising, and ensuring the studio remains a vibrant hub for creativity.

Under Miss Suschena's stewardship, The Clay Canvas has continued to be a pillar for family entertainment in the community and has served as Nevada's first paint your own pottery studio since 1997. She has fostered strong community engagement by collaborating with schools and local charities, bringing art into classrooms and hosting off-site events tailored for adults and families. The studio also serves as a venue for birthday parties, bridal showers and corporate team-building activities.

Miss Suschena's entrepreneurial journey is marked by resilience and innovation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when she adapted her business model to offer pottery-to-go kits. By packaging paints and pottery for curbside pickup, she ensured her business survived despite significant challenges. This adaptability not only kept The Clay Canvas operational but also reinforced her commitment to supporting her family as a single mother and maintaining a woman-owned business without outside investors.

In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Miss Suschena has almost 20 years of experience working in life sciences with expertise in biotechnology, preclinical and clinical program management. She is currently the product development manager at XenoTherapeutics, a role she began in 2025. At XenoTherapeutics, she supports the advancement of xenotransplantation through research, quality control, inventory management and regulatory compliance.

Prior to joining XenoTherapeutics, Miss Suschena built an extensive scientific career at Charles River Laboratories in Reno. She began in 2008 as a research analyst and advanced through various leadership and management roles in the laboratory sciences department including Manager of Laboratory Sciences overseeing various departments housing more than 50 employees.

Reflecting on her time at Charles River Laboratories, Miss Suschena takes quiet pride in having contributed to numerous drugs that have received approval for human use, including cancer therapies and other treatments that have meaningfully improved patients' quality of life. Though her name is not attached to these drugs and her contributions often go unrecognized by the public, she finds deep fulfillment in knowing she played a role in a larger effort to help people worldwide.

Outside the field of science, Miss Suschena's professional journey began as a casino floor supervisor at Harrah's in the Greater Reno Area from 2007 to 2008. This early experience provided valuable insights into customer service and operational oversight that would later inform her leadership style.

Miss Suschena's academic background includes earning a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2007. In addition to her education, she credits her success to her natural grit, problem-solving abilities and an unwavering drive to embrace new challenges. She acknowledges the support of her parents, partner and close friends as instrumental influences throughout her career.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Miss Suschena has demonstrated a strong commitment to civic engagement. From 2009 to 2011, she served as a family respite provider and patient companion with Circle of Life Hospice, offering compassionate support to patients and their families. She has also volunteered extensively by donating the experience of art to various schools, churches and daycares across the region.

Miss Suschena's dedication has been recognized through several honors, including being named Nevada Woman of Achievement by the Nevada Women's Fund in 2023, a distinction that reflects her impact as a business owner and community leader. Additionally, she received the Patriotism Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Born in Carson City, Miss Suschena is deeply proud of her Nevada roots and values the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community through both business ownership and volunteerism. She enjoys traveling every weekend for her daughter's soccer games as well as participating in outdoor activities such as snowboarding and camping with her family.

Looking ahead, Miss Suschena plans to continue growing The Clay Canvas while increasing its impact within the community that has supported it so strongly over the years. She is considering expanding to a second location or introducing new artistic media. Strengthening partnerships with local businesses remains a priority; she envisions bringing art experiences into additional venues to be enjoyed by adults and families alike.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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