As a Prendie student, Sue (Lusi) Pellegrino ’89 loved math, and she also loved taking charge. After school, she worked at Dairy Queen, eventually becoming shift manager, reconciling the point-of-sale and cashing out at night. “It gave me a taste of entrepreneurship, even though I did not own the business,” she says. That early mix of STEM skills and leadership has guided her ever since.
Today, Sue is Owner, President, and CFO of Everest Discovery, a legal support services firm that serves attorneys, law firms, and in-house counsel with end-to-end e-discovery and data breach services. “We are an extension of the legal team,” she explains. “We make it easier to find the facts by collecting emails, documents, and data from phones and computers, then organizing it so legal teams can quickly review what matters most.”
Building a Secure and Trusted Legal Tech Company
Sue acquired Everest Technologies, which she rebranded to Everest Discovery in 2017. One of her first moves was securing ISO 27001, the international gold standard for information security. She spearheaded internal controls implementation, oversaw biannual external audits, and ensured the continuous improvement needed to achieve certification in just seven months.
“It is ongoing, time-intensive, and costly, but it is a huge differentiator,” she says. “It tells clients their data is protected and our environment is secure.”
Under Sue’s leadership, Everest experienced 14 percent revenue growth in the first year and 42 percent overall growth since the acquisition. The business has expanded from an East Coast client base to nationwide coverage, in addition to serving clients in South America.
Day to day, Sue oversees finance (payables, receivables, budgeting, forecasting), manages operations, coordinates sales and production, and leads IT and security, including vendor management. She also partners with a marketing consultant on content, social media, and conference strategy, staying active in national industry groups to keep relationships and opportunities growing.
Roots at Prendie: Grit, Support, and Independence
As the oldest of three, Sue’s drive and determination began to take shape at Prendie. High school was not always easy. Her parents divorced during her sophomore year, but her teachers and the nuns created a safe, supportive space for her to learn and grow.
She joined Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD), played intramurals, and found a community. “My younger sister was a cheerleader. It was special to spend my senior year in the same school with her.” Today, Sue still keeps up with several Prendie friends through a group chat and annual get-togethers.
“That season of my life taught me independence,” she reflects. “I had to grow up fast, but people at school had my back, and that made all the difference.”
The Road to Entrepreneurship
After graduating from Prendie, Sue worked at Casey’s Bar and Grille in Drexel Hill while earning an Associate’s degree at Delaware County Community College. She soon found a full-time job in the mailroom at Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, where she and a colleague worked alongside to pursue their bachelor's. After a few years, Sue completed a B.A. in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting at Cabrini College.
During her 13+ year tenure at Wyeth, Sue moved from the mailroom to accounts payable and rose to AP supervisor, navigating four corporate mergers. In 2005, Sue transitioned to supporting her husband, Tom, scale Copy Secure, a litigation-support business focused on paper discovery. “In a global company, I was one line on the balance sheet,” says Sue. “Suddenly, I was responsible for the entire financial overview. . It was refreshing, fun, and challenging.”
They grew the company to seven-figure revenues, sold to a larger outfit, and Sue stayed on as CFO through the acquisition until the new owner closed the business a year later.
Shortly after, opportunity knocked. A longtime colleague of Tom’s, the owner of Everest Discovery, called in October 2016. He was ready to sell. “He said, ‘I bought a boat and I am moving to Alabama,’” Sue recalls with a laugh. By December, she was signing the partnership papers. The acquisition closed in 2017, and the rebuild began.
Lessons Learned
If Sue has any advice for those interested in a similar STEM entrepreneurial path, it is this:
“Surround yourself with people who have your back, even when you are not in the room. Use the resources in front of you. Do not miss opportunities because you did not ask. Get involved by joining the groups and committees that Bonner and Prendie offer. And it is okay not to know your path right away. If you have to try ten things before you land on the one that makes you happy, do it.”
Everest Discovery By the Numbers
20th anniversary (founded 2005)
8 years under Sue Pellegrino’s ownership
ISO 27001:2022 certified, with ongoing internal and external audits
42 percent growth since acquisition
Nationwide footprint with South America client expansion
Certified Women-Owned Enterprise and Women-Owned Small Business
––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Are you a B&P alum working in a STEM field?
Share your professional journey with us by completing our STEM Alumni Survey to be featured in a future STEM Alumni story.