Susan began her career working in a Psychiatric Hospital in-patient unit. The hospital was using a unique model in which all staff had the same responsibilities and therefore, she was responsible for individual therapy, group therapy, creative therapies and activities of daily life. It was a most challenging position and informed her understanding of the extremes of humanity.
She then went on to work with severely emotionally disturbed African American and Hispanic adolescent girls from an impoverished community in Brooklyn, NY. She was promoted to administrator of the program and was able to improve it by hiring more staff and enhancing curriculum offerings.
Subsequently, Susan moved and continued to work with emotionally disturbed adolescents. She was able to create innovative curricula, including using the internet to allow experts in the field to connect with students. She procured grants for the programs and served on many community committees. She realized that she had a passion for communications and earned a master’s degree.
An opportunity to create and helm a high school television studio arose, and Susan took it on. Creating an “incubator” for creativity her students won numerous awards, and many became successful in the field. At the same time Susan opened her video production company, utilizing real world experience to inspire her students.
Susan moved on to growing her company, Synergy Productions, as well as a devoting time to community organizing. She moved to Asbury Park, NJ a community that was beginning a renaissance. Synergy Productions became the video production company for the city, documenting events, highlighting organizations as well as the well-known music scene. She eventually co-created the Asbury Park Music Foundation, an organization fostering the power of music as an economic engine as well as initiatives supporting youth.
Susan's board affiliations include:
The Heritage Trail Association of Somerset County
Arts Coalition of Asbury Park (ArtsCAP)
Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce
Monmouth Ocean Development Council, Tourism Committee
Monmouth County Arts Corridor (MoCo)
Center for Creative Placemaking
Bound Brook Special Improvement District
South Amboy Arts Alliance
