Born in Rotorua, Susan's family was very involved in the squash community and she started playing when she was young, turning professional at the age of 17. Her first World Open title came in 1985, with subsequent wins in 1987, 1990 and 1992. In 1992, the year of her unexpected retirement, she was the Australian, British, French, Hong Kong, Irish, New Zealand, Scottish, Swedish and World squash champion. After retiring from squash, she became the Chief Executive of Sport Bay of Plenty.

Susan served as New Zealand's Race Relations Commissioner from 2013 to 2018.

Susan married her manager and fellow squash player John Oakley in 1986 and they have four sons, the eldest of whom is a track athlete. She lives in Tauranga, and writes a regular column in the Bay of Plenty Times.

Susan was announced as part of the cast of Celebrity Treasure Island 2022 cast. She joins the competition in the hopes of winning for The Aunties, a collective established to support whānau who have lived with violence.