#ClouderaLife Employee Spotlight: Meet Susan Wulf, Cloudera’s Senior Director of Learning and Enrichment (L&E)
At Cloudera, we’re committed to fostering a culture of inclusion, where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and empowered to grow. That culture includes respecting individual aspirations by encouraging people to explore new interests, embrace fresh challenges, and shape their own career paths.
Leaders like Susan Wulf embody this spirit. A long-time Clouderan, Wulf stepped into a role that aligned with her passion: leading the Learning and Development Team. What was once a lesser-known initiative is now a thriving program, thanks in large part to her vision, dedication, and drive.
Join us as we meet Susan Wulf and explore how Cloudera supported her career growth and empowered her to follow her interests.
Meet Susan Wulf
Susan Wulf is Cloudera’s Senior Director of Learning and Enrichment (L&E), focused on building programs that help Clouderans grow, thrive and unlock their full potential. She joined the company in 2016 via Hortonworks, a company that merged with Cloudera in 2019, starting with the company as a Human Resources Business Partner. After establishing herself within HR, Susan was offered an exciting opportunity: to lead Cloudera’s L&E team.
Susan was exposed to Learning & Development early in her career and reignited that spark at Cloudera. She was drawn in by the opportunity to help others develop their skills, learn new things and explore opportunities as she had. Energized by the impact and potential of L&E, she knew this was the direction she wanted to take her career.
“It’s been such a fun journey and a good change,” said Susan. “I never anticipated that leadership taking a chance on me would bring me here. Now I have the opportunity to work with an amazing team providing so much content to Clouderans.”
Susan’s Cloudera Journey
At the start of this career shift, Susan was understandably nervous about leading a relatively new L&E team, but she stepped up to the challenge and never looked back.
“It was probably one of the scariest transitions in my career. But I also think it’s good to be scared sometimes,” said Susan. “It means you’re being challenged.”
Susan spearheaded a complete redesign of the L&E department and led its global expansion. Under her guidance, it grew from a handful of courses into a robust library of programs and interest-driven resources that Clouderans increasingly seek out, with engagement numbers reflecting that momentum.
“When I look back five years ago to now, it’s pretty astonishing to see what we’ve created.”
Cloudera Fosters a Community of Growth
At Cloudera, Susan found the kind of support that’s hard to come by—a culture where people genuinely care and where growth is fueled by trust, flexibility and connection. Whether she was encouraged to explore a new career path or received unwavering support during a major life transition, she was continuously met with understanding and opportunity.
From early mentorship to leadership that asked the right questions and believed in her potential, Susan experienced firsthand how Cloudera invests in its people. “It’s been a meaningful opportunity, and one that isn’t easy to find elsewhere,” she said.
At Cloudera, she emphasized that support comes through in everyday interactions, in the way people listen, collaborate and create space for each other to grow both personally and professionally – it is unlike what she had experienced before.
About Learning and Development
It took a massive effort to build Learning and Development into what it is today. Through thoughtful leadership discussions, post-program surveys and valuable input from employees across the company, Cloudera now has a thriving program rooted in the things that most interest Clouderans.
Cloudera’s expansive e-learning library, built on platforms like Udemy and Articulate Suite, fosters interactive global workplace training and career exploration. Whether learners prefer self-paced e-learning, in-person sessions, interactive breakout discussions, visual presentations or live instruction, Susan ensures there are options to meet every learning style.
The result is a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that continues to evolve with the needs of its people. Susan attributes much of this success to a culture that listens first, adapts often and meets learners exactly where they are.
Programs That Spark Growth
The project that excites Susan most right now is the Executive Presence course which focuses on crafting messages for executive audiences with attention to delivery, pitch and tone.
“I’m excited for Clouderans to take part in the course and then apply what they’ve learned in their day-to-day interactions. It’s the part I’m looking forward to the most—it’s truly exciting.”
Beyond Cloudera
When she’s not helping Clouderans build their skill sets or discover their full potential, Susan lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband Tim and their two young children, Emma and Jack, who keep them busy outdoors—whether playing in the backyard or exploring through hiking or swimming. A pilates and yoga enthusiast, Susan enjoys staying active and spending time with family and friends outside of work.
Closing Thoughts
Susan Wulf’s journey is a strong reflection of Cloudera’s growth-minded culture. Her story shows what’s possible when people are supported, curious and open to new challenges. With a team-first mindset and a passion for helping others grow, Susan not only shapes her own path but also creates opportunities for those around her.
At Cloudera, when people are encouraged to explore their career paths and supported by a culture that genuinely cares, the possibilities continue to grow.
Want to keep reading? Click here to explore more about Learning and Development at Cloudera, or click here to meet another inspiring Clouderan.