Our Team
Susan "Sue" Drake
Founder & President
Susan "Sue" Drake
Founder & President
Compelled by the belief that “The truly educated never graduate,” Sue stepped away from a successful career in corporate training to plant a new seed for even greater success as an entrepreneur. Sue’s passion for lifelong learning, her personal approach, and business savvy fueled Drake Resources growth. The company blossomed. Today it is a thriving venture that exceeds client expectations by providing creative impactful learning solutions. While the need for gainful employment is usually the main attraction for internal staff as well as consultants, it is the infectious nature of Sue’s enthusiasm and positive leadership style that roots highly qualified professionals in a long term relationship with the company. Modeling in word and deeds the famous quote by JFK, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other,” ensures that Sue will always be surrounded by a loyal talented team with a wide variety of clients to serve and delight.
Nicole De Falco
Director, Ascendis Learning Connection
Nicole De Falco
Director, Ascendis Learning Connection
Hailing from Dobbs Ferry, NY with 20 years of experience in the training and development/OD industry including performance consulting, instructional design, facilitation, marketing and sales, Nicole is responsible for the strategic vision and organizational direction for the Ascendis Learning Connection. She serves as the primary point of contact for the Experts whose learning solutions are at the heart of ALC’s value proposition. Nicole came out to Illinois to attend Northwestern University. She decided to stay until the Cubs win a World Series. While waiting, she found a lovely husband; earned her MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business, had two boys, and developed a fanatical love of all things NFL.
Denise Flack
Financial Executive Assistant
Denise Flack
Financial Executive Assistant
They say that behind every great leader, sits a genius with an abacus. If that’s true, then Denise Flack is Drake Resources brilliant behind-the-scenes bean-counter. Denise deals with the day-to-day accounting activities for Drake and supports the business’s client and consultant information requirements. Denise came to Drake with more than 20 years of accounting experience and helped structure the company for continued growth. With a sharp mind and infinite amount of patience, she keeps us all organized, on track, and well equipped to make fiscally sound decisions. Denise’s fantastic organizational skills come in handy on the home front as well. She’s the mother of two teenagers determined to keep her busy at all times. Denise enjoys watching her son bowl and her daughter dance.
Diane Kreuscher
Client Communications and Public Relations
Diane Kreuscher
Client Communications and Public Relations
Diane joined Drake Resources with 30 years of experience in the newspaper and magazine industry serving as editor and assistant editor. Diane enjoys meeting and working with creative people, which is why the Client Communications and Public Relations position remains an ideal fit. She volunteers for the Westosha Kiwanis Club by participating in several annual fund-raising events. Diane was born in Chicago and currently resides in Paddock Lake, WI. Although labeled a “Cheesehead” simply by her location, Diane is and always has been a devout Chicago Bears fan. Diane relishes time spent with her four grandchildren.
Suzie Ama
LMS Manager
Suzie Ama
LMS Manager
Suzie forms the West Coast coalition for Drake Resources. Suzie is responsible for the development and maintenance of our Learning Management System. Thanks to her over 20 years of experience in graphic design and 16 years as a web designer/developer, our LMS is aesthetically pleasing, well organized, and extremely user-friendly. In addition to her work with Drake Resources, Suzie is a tenured community college faculty member and teaches web design online, using Moodle. She also serves as an instructional designer for the college’s new renewable energy program. Her passion is using technology to help others communicate more effectively. In her spare time, Suzie enjoys vegetable gardening, hiking, and skiing.
April Hayman
Client LMS and Technical Support
April Hayman
Client LMS and Technical Support
April Hayman lives in the Mojave High Desert of California. She’s been an instructional designer for over ten years, with an emphasis on Learning Management Systems and e-learning. While working primarily with educational institutions, April has experience with such diverse industries as manufacturing, human resources, and occupational safety. She and her husband have three boys all of whom are homeschooled with curriculum April designed. April and her family live on a micro-ranch with two dogs, two kittens, and 18 chickens! April is active in her church, with teaching preschoolers being a favorite ministry. An avid reader and writer, April participates in the National Novel Writing Month yearly. And, if that weren’t enough, she practices calligraphy and writing to her many pen pals around the world.