Join us for a fireside chat with Susayn Brandes, Chairman and CEO of Great Plains Ventures — a Wichita-based company built from the ground up by her father, Charlie Peer, nearly 60 years ago. What began with a single prototype and a basement drafting table has grown into a diversified portfolio spanning aerospace and industrial manufacturing, commercial real estate, and hospitality.

Susayn joined the family business in 1993, became President in 2001, and stepped into the Chairman/CEO role in 2008. Today, Susayn is leading Great Plains Ventures into its next chapter alongside her brother, Marque Peer, and her son, Josh Brandes — continuing a multi‑generational Wichita success story. Marque serves as Vice President of Development and spearheads the commercial real estate portion of the business, and Josh serves as the company’s President.

In addition to her leadership at GPV, Susayn has long been active in the community. She previously served on the Board of Trustees of the Wichita Children’s Home and the WSU Foundation Board of Directors. Currently, Susayn serves on the United Way of the Plains Board of Directors, and she recently joined the Wichita State Board of Trustees.

The conversation will be led by Jacob O’Connor, a Wichita State University alum, co-owner of the Another Broken Egg Cafe franchise in Wichita, and host of the Built for More podcast. His experience as both an entrepreneur and podcaster bring valuable perspective to this discussion. We’re excited to hear Susayn’s story of stewarding and growing a hometown company across three generations — and the lessons she’s learned along the way!