Susan Koret, originally known as Susan McClain and of Korean origin, experienced an unspecified personal loss and briefly returned to her homeland before moving to the San Francisco Bay Area to study English and seek employment. Through a connection at the Korean Consul General's office, she responded to a help-wanted ad and was hired as a personal assistant and caregiver to Stephanie Koret, the first wife of apparel entrepreneur Joseph Koret. Following Stephanie's death, Susan married Joseph, becoming his second wife. After Joseph Koret's death on December 27, 1982, Susan assumed the role of chairperson for life of the Koret Foundation, as per his expressed wishes, and co-managed it initially with Tad Taube. As a philanthropist and trustee, she has been a key figure in directing the foundation's grants, which are funded by assets from Joseph Koret's business and focus on education initiatives aimed at improving access, student success, and career opportunities, among other causes including pro-Israel and neoconservative efforts. In 2014, amid internal disputes, she filed a lawsuit in San Francisco Superior Court to remove Taube, the foundation's long-serving president and former CEO of the Koret clothing company, along with attorney Richard Greene, from the board. The conflict was resolved through a settlement announced in late 2014, under which Susan Koret, Taube, and Greene all resigned from the board.