IN REMEMBRANCE
- Steve Nellis
- Jul 3
- 3 min read
Ms. Susan Labas, CPSM
Retired, van Zelm, Heywood & Shadford, Inc
With great sadness...
Susan Labas, one of the creators, innovators, and patriarchs of our ACCE Industry Advisory Board Event, lost her battle with leukemia on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
With Charlie McIntyre’s assistance, Susan was the glue that held the IAB Event together for ten years. Susan also served on the Accreditation Committee for many years, longer than I have worked for ACCE. We will all miss Susan at our conferences, meetings, and social events.
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From van Zelm, Heywood & Shadford, Inc
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our esteemed colleague and dear friend, Susan Labas, CPSM, who retired in 2022 after serving as Senior Associate and Director of Marketing at van Zelm Heywood & Shadford, Inc. for more than 20 years. Susan passed away on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of integrity, vision, and leadership that shaped our organization and the broader AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.
Many of us had the privilege of working alongside Susan and witnessing firsthand the energy, passion, and commitment she brought to everything she did. Through her active leadership roles in AEC organizations, she inspired generations of professionals. She was a founding member of the Professional Women in Construction Connecticut Chapter, where she served as past president and program chair. Susan was especially dedicated to mentoring the next generation, proudly supporting the ACCE Mentor Program of Connecticut and participating in the American Council for Construction Education, Inc., and Central Connecticut State University Industry Advisory Board for Construction Management.
As we reflect on Susan’s impact, we encourage each of you to take a moment to honor her memory in your way. She will be remembered not only for her professional contributions but also for her warmth, generosity, and spirit.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Susan’s family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed. Let us continue to carry forward the values that Susan embodied — mentorship and a commitment to shaping a better future.
With deepest sympathy,
van Zelm Heywood and Shadford, Inc.
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"Susan will be highly missed at ACCE. She brought so much passion and diligence to our organization. She has been one of my best supporters as I transitioned into my role at ACCE. We had many fabulous conversations and I will miss her at our ACCE functions." - Steve Nellis, President, ACCE.
"Susan was a powerful force in ACCE. What a passion for construction education!!! I’ll never forget her unwavering support of ACCE and those heels! We walked around Philadelphia one evening after an ACCE Board meeting… she wore those heels everywhere. She said she wanted to always be seen as professional. Such a lovely person… she ran the Industry Advisory Board event for years, making it a strong alliance with corporate America and construction academia; it was profitable and a “must-attend” event for industry. We will miss her very much." - Tanya Matthews, TMG Construction
"This is a tremendous loss that will be felt by so many across the ACCE community. Susan used her many talents to make important contributions to construction education quality through her dedicated committee work and by bringing the ACCE community together around ACCE meetings. We will miss her dearly." - Chris Gordon, PhD, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
"This is very hard to hear. Susan was one of the first people I met with ACCE. She made me feel welcome and always greeted me with a hug. I’ll truly miss her. " - Rogers Hunt, Vice-Chair of ACCE Board of Trustees
"This is very sad to hear. Susan was an amazing lady. Her contributions and enthusiasm for ACCE and the construction industry will be missed. She always made me feel welcome and encouraged me to be more involved in ACCE. I will miss her. " - Ms. Marjorie Chang, Hoffman Construction Company
"Susan always was such a kind, pleasant, caring, nice, and supportive person to me, and her presence in our meetings will be missed. Our sincere condolences to Susan’s family, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family." - Dr. Sarel Lavy, Texas A&M University
"Susan was a special person and friend to me and many! She truly made everyone feel welcome, a connector of all types. The IAB event would not be what it is today without her perseverance to perfect the event. ACCE lost a tremendous supporter!" - Greg Zick. National Association of Home Builders
