Why are you involved with IGNITE Worldwide?
I believe that supporting girls in STEM improves lives, especially when our support gives voice to underrepresented populations. IGNITE recognizes the impact girls’ involvement in STEM has on families, communities and corporations. Through IGNITE’s great work, we can increase equity and inclusion of underrepresented girls in STEM and later, in the workforce. This is one way we can change the world for the better – for all.
How has IGNITE Worldwide inspired you?
From childhood, boys and girls learn different approaches to language and communication and females engage in a communication style meant to promote social affiliation and emotional connection, while males engage in a style focused on exchanging information with little emotional import. The differences in metamessages result in misunderstandings. As girls grow into women, the language of conversation is primarily a language of rapport, a way of establishing connections and negotiating relationships … For most men, talk is primarily a means to preserve independence and negotiate and maintain status in a hierarchical social order. This society is built on language of men, white men. And for those of us who are women or other minorities, we struggle to navigate in the white man’s world – we do not speak white male. It is time we change the operating systems and level the playing field. IGNITE does this — and I find that VERY inspiring.
What would you like our wider community to know about IGNITE Worldwide?
Impacted by the quiet whispers of self-doubt coupled with the resounding voices of a white-male-dominated society gender inequity is normalized and feeds the way girls think, feel, act and believe about their role in the world. By the age of six girls and boys start absorbing sexist stereotypes around jobs for men and jobs for women. The whispers of self-doubt and fear become shouts and unless they are silenced, they are with girls as they become women and stay with them for life. Many girls do not have support to shut down those whispers much less the shouts. They pick up on signals that they are different and start taking small decisions about what is or what is not for girls; small decisions with big consequences. By the age of 13, that the confidence gap starts to show. IGNITE envisions a world where every girl has equal access to STEM education during their school day, so as they grow older, they are aware of STEM opportunities and they have the social and cultural capital to secure and thrive in a STEM career. IGNITE promotes economic equality and workforce development by cultivating a diverse pipeline of talent and supporting a sustainable future for girls and their families.
Bio
Susan’s mission and passion is helping women achieve workplace equity in professional environments created without them. Susan knows that to reach parity in the workplace and for individuals to have masterful communication styles and gravitas– both sexes need to understand and employ each’s communication style. She leverages her vast communication, executive sales, and business development expertise to teach women the communication skills necessary to successfully navigate business organizations built by men– and to help men appreciate how communications skills normally associated with women can propel them forward, as well as help them communicate effectively with women. Susan is a masterful orator and trainer who enhances the communication skills of both sexes and improves the performance and culture of organizations.
Susan has worked with some of the most prestigious law firms and financial services institutions in the world. Susan is the co-author of the book, “THE ULTIMATE WOMEN ASSOCIATES’ LAW FIRM MARKETING CHECKLIST.” She has been published in California Lawyers Association and “The Art & Science of Persuasion” for “Legal Business World.” Susan also published an article in Mike O’Horo’s Rainmaker blog, “Good Questions Are More Powerful Than Any Answers.”
Susan’s work is focused on the academic research and major social scientists in the field. Susan was graduated with honors from Hawaii Pacific University with a Master of Arts degree in Communication and she was graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Journalism, with a minor in Marketing. She also studied Marketing at Northeastern University in Boston. Susan has lived in Louisiana, Switzerland, Italy, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and now, California. Throughout her sojourns, she has developed a large, interconnected circle. Susan lives in the Bay Area.
Susan is currently the CEO of the Executive Institute on Inclusion and can be reached at susan@