biography
Chaplain Susan Stafford, Ph.D., is a spiritual counselor, humanitarian, speaker, and media professional whose life bridges influence, service, and personal transformation. She first came to national attention as a pioneer for women in television, serving as the original hostess of NBC’s Wheel of Fortune. During her time on the show, she broke new ground as the first woman nominated for an Emmy on a game show, the first woman given a microphone in that format, and the first to secure her own clothing deal. She co-hosted alongside Chuck Woolery for seven years and later Pat Sajak.
At the height of her success, Susan began to sense a deeper calling. While still working in television, she opened her home to women seeking direction and support, helping them rebuild confidence and purpose. Responding to letters from viewers facing serious illness and hardship, she realized her life’s work would extend far beyond entertainment.
Susan stepped into humanitarian service internationally, working in Calcutta with Mother Teresa’s nuns caring for leprosy patients and later serving with American Leprosy Missions. As an international correspondent, she traveled to regions including the Himalayas, Nepal, Ethiopia, India, Brazil, Liberia, and the Philippines, helping document and raise awareness that contributed to global relief and treatment efforts.
Returning to the United States, Susan trained and served as a chaplain, including a year at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Houston working with cancer patients and families. Her ministry has since included crisis response and grief counseling, including supporting survivors and families in the aftermath of national tragedies such as Columbine and Virginia Tech. She continues to work confidentially with individuals and families in high-stress and crisis situations.
Susan later returned to media, writing, producing, and hosting more than 130 health-focused television programs and co-hosting The 700 Club. She also served as Vice President of Public Relations for Barry & Enright Productions while completing advanced academic work in psychology. Her service has included outreach to individuals facing addiction, homelessness, and personal crisis, as well as leadership roles in community and interfaith initiatives.
She is the founder of Wheel of Grace Unlimited, a nonprofit organization through which she continues to counsel, teach, and support individuals daily. Her work centers on helping people navigate loss, rediscover purpose, and build resilience through practical spiritual guidance and compassionate care.
Chaplain Susan is a sought-after motivational and inspirational speaker, known for blending real-world experience with insight, empathy, and hope. Her message is grounded in the belief that personal transformation is possible for anyone and that service to others is the clearest path to meaning.
She is also an author. Her book, Stop the Wheel, I Want to Get Off!, received five-star recognition on Amazon, and she continues to write and speak on themes of healing, identity, faith, and purpose.
Her humanitarian work has been widely recognized. Honors include the World Unity Award for Humanitarian Service (alongside Edward James Olmos and Martin Luther King III), the Andrew Award from Media Fellowship International, recognition as a “Trailblazer in Hollywood,” and the Palm Springs Walk of Stars Humanitarian Award for her work with cancer and AIDS patients, among others.
Across every chapter of her life—from television pioneer to international humanitarian, chaplain, counselor, and speaker—Susan Stafford’s focus remains the same: lifting people up, offering hope, and helping individuals discover strength, direction, and peace in the midst of life’s most difficult moments.
"Thank you for your generosity and kindness."
Dr. Susan
