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Susan E. Fosteris vice president and director of policy research and analysis at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University. Ms. Foster's work focuses on the impact of substance abuse on America's systems and populations. Projects under her direction include studies of the nation's treatment system; how substance abuse affects state and local budgets, the justice system, schools and colleges, women, young people and the family; the role of religion and spirituality in prevention and treatment; the relation of substance abuse and sexual conduct, eating disorders, gambling, and violence.

Prior to her work with CASA, she was co-owner of a public policy consulting firm, providing advice and consultation to state and local governments, private agencies and foundations. During the administration of President Jimmy Carter, Ms. Foster was special assistant to the secretary and deputy under-secretary for intergovernmental affairs in the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Ms. Foster has authored publications on a broad range of public policy issues. She earned a master of social work in social policy from Rutgers University.