Sue Douthit O’Donnell, Friend

Sue Douthit O’Donnell, a Builder of Berkeley through her generous patronage, passed away on May 27 after a brief illness. She was 80.

Douthit O’Donnell, a Stanford MBA alumna, built a career in banking, accounting, and real estate syndication before dedicating her life to philanthropy. 

Together with her husband, Bob O’Donnell, BS 65, MBA 66, she left an indelible mark on education, research, and community development. Their $17 million philanthropic gift in fall 2023 established the Robert G. and Sue Douthit O’Donnell Center for Behavioral Economics, advancing research at Berkeley Haas. 

Growing up with parents who were a writer and a librarian, Douthit O’Donnell was also a passionate supporter of libraries, contributing funding to initiatives at UC Berkeley, Denison University (where she earned her bachelor’s degree), and Stanford. Known for her enduring commitment to making an impact, she was an active benefactor of East Bay College Prep, JobTrain, and other local charities. Read more: haas.org/douthit-odonnell.