Communications and strategy that inspire action.

Passionate about social change, I deliver strategy, communications, and coaching to nonprofits, philanthropies, public health, and mission-driven organizations.

Services

  • Strategy

    Strategy

    Strategic planning
    Change management
    Organizational development
    Engaging stakeholders
    Strengthening teams

  • Communications

    Communications

    Messaging
    Branding
    Communications planning
    Storytelling
    Increasing buy-in

  • Coaching & Training

    Executive coaching
    High Performance
    Team coaching
    Presentation skills
    Storytelling
    Workshops & webinars

  • Project Management

    Program Management

    Launching programs
    Leading teams
    Managing projects
    Setting priorities
    Designing action plans
    Creating infrastructure

  • Fields of Expertise

    Fields of Expertise

    Nonprofits
    Philanthropy
    Public health
    Quality Improvement
    Community clinics & public hospitals

Read stories about recent projects
Suzanne Samuel photo

With over 25 years’ experience in nonprofits, philanthropy, healthcare, and education, I blend strategic thinking with a practical approach. I partner with social change organizations to launch programs, navigate change, build capacity, and inspire action.

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Clients

Clients and employers include:

I’m struck most by how she listens…

I’m struck most by how Suzanne listens. Her ability to fuse salient ideas after lengthy conversations is remarkable. She consistently simplifies discussions and translates all those words into relevant, real-world action. To work with Suzanne is to work with someone who understands the joy and trials of organizations with a mission to serve. More importantly, she shares a kinship with the people who bring those organizations to life. This keeps her away from theoretical advice and instead grounds her guidance in our everyday work. If you have the chance, work with her. You will be better for having done so.

Lisa Davies, CEO
Chapa-De Indian Health

Enabled us to become stronger leaders…

Would I work with Suzanne again? In a heartbeat. As Coach to the Alameda County Community Food Bank’s 14-person Directors’ Team, Suzanne’s work has enabled us to have more honest and transparent communication, improved decision-making processes, and more fun as a team. Our meetings are more productive, with new procedures she helped us build, a larger diversity of people participating, and better ability to have healthy conflict. Suzanne’s sensitivity to group dynamics, commitment to letting all voices shine, and wealth of expertise enabled us to become stronger leaders—both as a team and individually.

Erick Lovdahl, Director of Operations
Alameda County Community Food Bank

Envious of the team that works with her next…

As Suzanne’s manager at College Track, I’m envious of the team that has the opportunity to work with her next! Suzanne left a lasting impression on every piece of work she touched. She led our COVID-19 communications strategy that emphasized clear, frequent, and empathetic messaging which earned her praise org-wide for transparency and sensitivity. Suzanne’s dedication to continuous improvement, data-driven decision-making, and taking a personalized (yet efficient) approach made a tremendous difference.

Heather Berkley, VP Strategic Initiatives
College Track

Guided me to accomplish our goal…

Suzanne and I collaborated on increasing homeless access to care at a community clinic in Los Angeles. She has been instrumental in propelling the project goal forward, helping identify the resistance and barriers as well as highlighting areas of strength. To enhance buy-in from all levels of our organization, Suzanne helped us see how to tug on the heartstrings of the audience with a patient story, bringing our work back to our organization’s core vision and mission. It has been one of the biggest celebratory moments for the clinic, re-energizing the entire organization. I have to credit Suzanne for guiding us through accomplishing our goal.

Annie D. Kim, Quality Assurance
Saban Community Clinic

Finds innovative solutions to challenges…

A wonderful thought partner in developing strategy and is skilled at finding innovative solutions to challenges, working with Suzanne is such a pleasure. She brings enthusiasm, creativity, and professionalism to each project she supports. Her contributions significantly improved reach and impact.

Peggy Hilden, Director
Health Care Education Management, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan

Process as positive as the product…

Suzanne helped our foundation set the strategy for one of our biggest projects of the year. She did a great job tying everything together in a cohesive, well thought out plan that reflected people’s input, felt manageable, and was grounded in reality. This is not a report that will sit on the shelf. The process was as positive as the product. As a result of her work, staff are on the same page and our path is much clearer. I highly recommend Suzanne.

Amanda Flores-Witte, Communications Officer
Kenneth Rainin Foundation
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