"If there are three things I learned over the past two years, it is that the vision for change lies within our clients; our clients have power; and Roberta and I can help them use their power to change their worlds.
I thought I would miss the excitement of being a lobbyist, organizer, and policy expert when I became a
consultant. Instead, it has been thrilling to see leaders we work- from foundations, statewide advocacy
associations, and human service agencies- tap into our advice to build influence and reach their goals."
Suzanne first tasted victory in 1985 when she and her partners built a coalition of human service agencies, community organizations, and legal assistance groups to pass a legislation benefiting low-income gas and utility company consumers. Since then, first at Metropolitan Family Services (1984–2010) and then at JUF- Jewish Federation Chicago (2010-2020), she worked with Board members, community leaders, human service and health care professionals, clients, and lawmakers to successfully advocate for public policies that better serve communities and nonprofits. Frequently tapped to serve
on state and city Task Forces and Commissions, most recently on the Governor’s Transition Committee on Healthy Families, Suzanne is most proud of her work as Chair of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services’ Child Support Advisory Committee, which resulted in a redesign of the child support enforcement system, and as a founder of Illinois Partners for Human Service, the statewide coalition of
human service agencies.
Suzanne received her BA from Grinnell College, Grinnell, IA, where she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and her MA in Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago.
