Susan Holden McCurry graduated from Grinnell College in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
From 1971 to 1975 she held several positions as director of pre-schools and day care centers while she continued her education in Early Childhood Development and Administration in San Diego, California. From 1976 to 1977 she managed a retail business in Iowa.

In 1978, she joined the family business, Holden's Foundation Seeds, Inc., headquartered in Williamsburg, Iowa. Ms. Holden McCurry served as Chief Financial Officer for Holden as well as for Hawaiian Research, Ltd., in Molokai, Hawaii. Both companies specialized in seed research and development and were founded by Roland Holden, who passed away in 1995. She remained involved in the company until 1997, when Holden's Foundation Seeds was sold to Monsanto. Hawaiian Research, Ltd. was also sold to Monsanto in 2000. From 1997-2002, she served as a consultant to Monsanto.

Her current activities include serving as a board member for the Holden Family Foundation, Highland Ridge Retirement Community, and the University of Iowa Cancer Advocacy Board. She is married to David McCurry and they have four children. Ms.Holden McCurry resides in Naples, Florida and in Iowa City, Iowa.