Wilmington native Susan Springsteen is the President and CEO of H2O Connected, a Qualified Opportunity Zone (QOZ) Business based in Coatesville that develops and manufactures a patented product line that detects leaks and running water in toilets.

The forward-thinking Springsteen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in Business and Economics from Wheaton College in suburban Chicago, said that her proudest professional achievement “probably hasn’t happened yet.”

“I am very proud of co-founding nth Solutions, a vertically integrated product development, manufacturing, and business incubation company that advances innovation from concept to commercialization in areas that save lives, save money, and preserve natural resources,” said Springsteen. “Through nth Solutions, we incubated the water-saving technology company H2O Connected, the first QOZ Business in Chester County. This introduced me to Coatesville and resulted in the renovation and expansion of a long-vacant, former Lukens Steel office building, now known as the nth Innovation Center. We have an amazing team, and I continue to be amazed by what we do every day and the lives we can impact through the businesses.”

Springsteen offered her thoughts on what makes a successful leader.

“A servant mindset with guts, great communication skills, and the ability to spot a trend early and create a mission around it,” she said.

Springsteen leads by example, genuinely wanting to see people succeed.

“I focus on the positives and the special traits I see in someone and try to help them see the larger vision of themselves that I see, then gently start to expect more,” she said. “No one rises to low expectations.”

Of the 12 Principles of the Scout Law — Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent — Springsteen believes that “Obedient” has had the greatest impact on her career and life.

“As a Christian, I recognize these principles are Christ-like qualities that I try to emulate,” she said. “If I must choose one, though, I’d choose Obedient. I believe that God is responsible for the consequences of our obedience to Him. By choosing to be obedient to His calling and grow in my relationship with Him, the other 11 principles will become a bigger part of the fabric of who I am.”

The Chester County Council, Boy Scouts of America will honor Springsteen and the 11 other VISTA Leadership Megastars at a hybrid awards ceremony on Sept. 14 at its new Program, Activity, and Resource Campus (PARC) in Exton. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Sarah Ponzio at sarah.ponzio@scouting.org or 610-696-2900 x 121.