Susan Joann Hipp passed away at her residence surrounded by her family on January 26, 2026. She was born in Fort Wayne, IN on June 30, 1974, a daughter of Katherine S. Bishop and William M. Maki.
Susan is preceded in death by her mother, Katherine (Kathie) S. Bishop (August 3, 2021), father, William (Bill) M. Maki (November 2, 2025), and step-mother, Peggy L. Maki (March 19, 2024).
Susan was enriched through travel and her many satisfying personal and professional relationships that literally spanned the globe. She loved to travel, including trips and cruises around the world with her husband, summer vacations with family and children, and adventurous trips with friends and coworkers. In college, Susan studied abroad in France where she fell in love with the beauty of European art and culture. When she wasn’t traveling, she enjoyed cooking for her family, spending time playing games, watching TV series, reading books, biking, and attending social events with her friends. Susan was a strong advocate for respect, tolerance, and the inclusion of all people
Susan graduated from Manchester University, Indiana. After many years of service at the Veterans Administration, she joined the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) where she became Executive Director in 2021. Susan dedicated her professional life to road safety as a uniquely passionate, skilled and collaborative nonprofit leader. The NETS board recently presented her with the inaugural Susan Hipp Road Safety Collaborative Leadership award and credited her, in large part, with taking the organization global. Susan’s presentation and efforts for NETS made impacts nationally and globally.
She is survived by her husband, Brian Hipp, children, Quinn and Andrew Gillies; step-children, Gabby, Olivia, and Tommy Hipp; sister, Karen (Jeff) Hampton; step-sisters, JoLynn (Jim) Conley, Heather Houghton, and step-brother, Tim Houghton; niece, Karissa Hampton; and step-nephews, Travis and Tyson Conley.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 327 Woods Mill Rd. Manchester, MO 63011.
Memorial contributions may be made to Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance. www.lobularbreastcancer.org
I have never gotten to meet Susan but from what I have heard I can tell that she was a loving and an amazing woman. My heart goes out to her family and may she live on through them and may they celebrate her life and the person she was.
I am profoundly sorry for your loss, Brian Hipp. I am grateful you both had time to travel and live life. God Bless her.
Brian, I’m truly sorry for your loss. My heart hurts for you and your family. Love to you…
I am truly sorry for your loss. Susan was my classmate in many classes at North Side; we shared many hours practicing and competing in our school’s marching band, which was such a great time for us all together. I remember Susan as calm, and kind, and genuine. May she rest in peace.
Sending deep condolences and warm hugs to you all, Brian. She seemed like a beautiful soul. I am so sorry. I’ll be making a memorial contribution in honor of her fight.
My deepest condolences to you her family from France. Susan is one of those people who, once they’ve met her, are inevitably marked for life.
Her mission on hearth must have been to make people happy because it’s exactly what she did.
See you on the other side Susan.
As a long time board member of NETS and former Chairman I have known and worked with Susan for many years. My deepest condolences to the family. She was a friend and she will be sorely missed.
So sorry Brian! You and family will be in my thoughts and prayers. She sounds like a bright light of Joy and happiness for all. I know she will be deeply loved and missed.
Prayers, thoughts and love to the family. I have known Susan for many years. She was such an inspiration and absolute joy to be around. She lit up a room!
Prayers and love, always!! Susan was so wonderful and an inspiration to all! She will be deeply, deeply missed❤️
Brian, I am so sorry for your loss. I am holding you and your family in my heart.
I was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of your wife. Please know that my thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with you and your loved ones.
Brian, you and family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God provide you with comfort knowing that your beloved wife is with the Father. I will continue to lift you in my prayers daily.
My deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers go out. I knew Susan professionally, and she was a truly remarkable person who dedicated her career to protecting and helping others.
Susan was a rare and kind soul….people like her are few and far between. Our love to all of you during this tough loss. Rest assured we will see her again. 🙂
Straight Ahead.
The Phoenix team is thinking of you and praying for you during this loss. You’re always in our thoughts. ❤️
I had the privilege of working with Susan for over 10 years. She was a fantastic person, a brave soul, and a true leader and friend. She will be deeply missed. My heartfelt condolences to Brian and her family.
It was an honor to work with Susan during my time with NETS. My heart goes out to the family. She will be missed by so many that she touched.
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful Susan. From reading her obituary I could see she brought much light into this world. She is still alive continuing her spiritual journey now, free of the pain of her physical body. God has another mission for Susan in the realm of unconditional love and light. May your family be comforted with God’s healing energy. Always remember, Susan is with you until you reunite and rejoin her when your mission on Earth is complete!
Brian, keeping you and yours in my thoughts and prayers. So, so sorry for your loss.
So many fond memories of this beautiful life! My prayers and love to the family and friends of Susan.
My heart is with you, Brian, and your family during this incredibly difficult time. Though I only met her once, I still remember her infectious smile and the genuinely warm, lovely presence she had. Sending you all my love and prayers.
I am so sorry for your loss, Brian. You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts.
I’m so very sorry for your loss. I had the opportunity to work with Susan on global road safety, particularly when we were together at the most recent global ministerial conference on road safety. Susan was smart, gracious, and committed to making the world a better place for everyone. I am thankful to have known her and I’m going to miss her.
I am so very sorry for your loss Brian. Susan was a very sweet person, I am glad that I had the opportunity to meet her. You and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Susan was one of the most radiant, kindest, and strongest women I ever had the chance to meet. A true inspiration. I will always remember her laugh, her smile, and her love for life. She brought joy to everyone who met her.
My deepest condolences to her beloved family. You are in my heart and in my thoughts.
Susan, my friend, may you rest peacefully now. Until we meet again.
Brian – I am so sorry for your loss. Susan seems like an incredible woman who lived life to the fullest while giving back and making the world a better place. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Hugs to you.
Brian, so very sorry to learn about your loss. My deepest condolences. Wishing you peace in this difficult time.
Brian, I am sorry for you and your families loss. May her adventorous spirit live on in you and your children and may the memories of her bring you comfort.
Susan was such a lovely person and a dedicated professional. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and loved ones.
To Brian and family my heart and prayers are with you all. As you all know Susan was simply amazing. A positive energy and spirit that added sparkle to everything she did. Her work in global road safety was unique and special as she connected and inspired partnerships and action that have saved thousands of lives. She lived life well with an impact in her professional life that has made the world better. My world was better for knowing and working with Susan too and I will miss her lots. May she rest in peace and continue to fly high in heaven.
I had the great pleasure to work with and get to know Susan in her role as Executive Director of The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). Susan’s passing is a profound loss. She was an incredible colleague and friend, and a true champion of roadway safety worldwide. Susan’s expertise and unwavering commitment to reducing crashes, injuries, and loss of life—both on the job and in our communities—made a lasting impact that will be felt for years to come. My heartfelt condolences go to her husband, children, and family, and to all who are feeling the weight of this loss across the safety community. Susan’s work mattered, and her legacy endures.