KNOWN FOR | PATH TO CI | VALUES INSIGHTS | PASSION | PERSONAL
Known for: Being a champion for children living in poverty. This is a passion she has had for as long as she can remember. Growing up in Argentina, Susana accompanied her grandfather to the poorest parts of Parana, Entre Rios, to serve others. At a young age, she realized the children she encountered were just like her — except they were born into different circumstances with fewer opportunities. Meeting children living in poverty in every continent in the world, she developed a great desire and commitment to investing in them so they can reach their potential, improve their lives and be powerful agents of positive change in their families and communities.
Path to CI: During a 16-year career with Hallmark, Susana held various marketing, strategy and general management leadership positions. She joined Children International’s board of directors in 2004, where she served until becoming president and CEO in 2014. Susana holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, and has a bachelor’s degree in international business and management from the University of Nebraska.
On CI values: We live the mission. We invest in human connection. We own the impact.
“Our values unite accountability with humanity. They are our compass guiding how we show up, make decisions and deliver on our mission every day. These values shape a culture where we lead with heart, we own the impact and we grow the mission forward.“
Passion: Susana is truly inspired by the children and families served by Children International (CI) – their resilience, courage, unselfishness, resourcefulness and determination.
She is deeply committed to delivering valuable programs that empower children, youth and young adults. She delights in seeing young people being powerfully transformed who then go out and pay it forward in their communities. That is how we multiply good in the world.
“I love the kids we serve, and when love is the motivation, there are powerful forces at work that make the impossible become the inevitable. I’m honored to be an advocate and a steward of our children’s stories, and to be part of the movement to end poverty for good.”
Personal: Susana came to the United States as a foreign-exchange student as a senior in high school. She has three adult children: James, Elton and Lucia. Besides spending time with her family, she loves being outdoors — especially at the ocean and mountains.
“I love the kids we invest in, and when love is the motivation, there are powerful forces at work that make the impossible become the inevitable.”
