OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Susana is gift! You can’t just sit down for a short talk with this captivating woman.  Every conversation you have with her will lift you up and draw you in. She is truly a breath of fresh air in a world that is often cold and distant.

Susana worked for DHS for 25 years,  and despite all the pain and suffering she saw, she never grew calloused towards the children she worked with. and placed in foster homes. She interviewed parents, taught parenting classes, and certified homes in preparation for these children to return home. She was always happy and hopeful that what she was doing would make a difference in the lives of the parents and children. 

Sadly, the government started cutting funds for the foster care system. Over a period of time, during an extended hiring freeze, she and others on her team were expected to carry the workload of those who had left the department. Burnt out from the extreme demands and unable to give what she knew these children needed, she retired prematurely with a broken heart.

Since 2016, Susana has worked in the healthcare sector, but her heart has always been with the work of a social worker. At Emily's place, she is excited to take on that role for our first guest, Robin, and hopes to help others carry out her vision in future Emily’s Places across the world.