Susan Suarez
Susan Suarez has been CEO of the Naples Holocaust Museum for just over a year, but is no stranger to the local nonprofit community. As a consultant, employee, and volunteer, Suarez has been an integral part of many nonprofit organizations here in Southwest Florida. While she was building her career, she also was raising a fam- ily with husband Carl. Since her two children were little, Suarez has involved them in her professional and volunteer activities, modeling a life of service to others.
College? I graduated from Stanford University with a double- major in French and Economics and later received an MBA from Santa Clara University.
Tell us about your career path and how it brought you to your current position. I realized early in my career that I wanted to work in the areas of nonprofits and philanthropy. After many years of working for nonprofits like the American Red Cross and two community foundations, I thought consulting for these types of organizations would be a good way to balance motherhood and work for the first few years after our daughter was born. My consulting practice became so successful that I continued doing that for many years. I joined the Holocaust Museum as CEO about one year ago. I knew from my kids’ personal experiences that its education programs were top notch and I feel so strongly that its mission to inspire action against bigotry, hatred, and violence is so important in our world today. My connections with so many local organizations also help me create new partnerships for the museum.
What do you love about your job? I knew I would love helping the Holocaust Museum with its next stage of growth as an organization. The opportunity to lead a capital campaign for a new, larger facility and be part of a team to create updated exhibits is incredible. What I didn’t realize was the amazing interactions I would have with Holocaust Survivors and their adult children who also share their parents’ stories with students and museum visitors. Our volunteers inspire me every day.
Tell us about your husband and kids.
My husband Carl grew up in Naples, then moved to California for graduate school and work in Silicon Valley. A few years after we met, Carl suggested we move back to Naples to the “bubble” where he grew up. It has been a great place for us to raise our family. Both our kids were born in Naples. Ashley is 15. She is very creative and loves musical theater. She has been in dozens of shows with KidzAct at The Naples Players and at church since she was five years old. CJ is 12 and plays basketball and tennis. He has also more recently started performing with KidzAct. Both our kids are excellent students and we are very proud of them!
Volunteer positions. I am a graduate and member of Greater Naples Leadership and served on the board for two terms after graduating. I currently serve on the board of The Naples Players, am a member of the Community Services Advisory Board for the City of Naples, am an Ambassador for the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce, and serve as past chair of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
How do you balance being a mom with your professional and charitable obligations? When my kids were younger I often brought them with me to my charity events, such as walk-a-thons, art fairs, etc. They have learned a lot about giving back and volunteering by helping at events and listening to me talk about my nonprofit and volunteer work. They both give to charities they care about which makes me very proud. My husband and I share being the kid-taxi to all their various activities.
Do you have any favorite local spots you like to go as a family? Family favorites include Mama Mia’s Pizza, South Street
Above: The Suarez Family (L-R), CJ, Susan, Carl, and Ashley.Right: Susan with donor Janet G. Cohen and Holocaust Museum Board Chair Herb Berkeley on “Demo Day” which was the symbolic groundbreaking event at the Holocaust Museum’s future home.
Grill, and Taco & Tequila.
What does your family like to do for fun? As with most families, scheduling time for everyone together can be tough! We like to watch movies together, play ping pong, travel some during the summer, take our boat down to Keewaydin, and go on week- end trips around Florida.