About Susan Kirsch
Susan is a teacher, facilitator, consultant, and California political organizer. She is the founder of Livable California, credited with creating an influential network of community leaders and elected officials who advocate for moderate, fiscally-sound housing policy that actually meets the needs for affordable housing while protecting the environment and infrastructure like water and schools.
Whether in education, politics, nonprofit management, fundraising or community organizing, Susan is a champion. She consistently draws on communication, problem solving, process, facilitation, and collaboration skills to get results for individual leaders, teams, and organizations.
Susan’s versatility shines in board rooms, conference centers, classrooms, and most recently on Zoom. She has advanced the work of community groups, low-income housing projects, the arts, mental health and recovery services, and entrepreneurs by leveraging strategic planning, team building budgeting, fundraising, speaking, and writing skills.
Competent. Connected. Bold
Career Highlights
Nonprofit Strategy & Fundraising Consultant (partial list)
Working Solutions–funding for aspiring entrepreneurs
Olhloff Recovery Program–programs to support sobriety
Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corp (TNDC)– affordable housing and social services
Insight Prison Project–support for restorative justice programs at San Quentin
American Sports Institute, Executive Director, Improves student achievement through the study and practice of sports
Golden Gate University, Adjunct Professor, Management & Communications Department
Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, Community Engagement and Process Facilitation
Professor, Case Western Reserve University; Cleveland, OH; High School English and speech teacher, Cleveland, Hopkins and Worthington, MN
Service/Community Highlights
2020
Women’s Foundation California, Funders Policy Institute, Member
Advisory Board, Community Venture Partners, since 2014
Advisory Board, Coalition of Sensible Taxpayers (CO$T), since 2016
Coordinator, Institute of Noetic Sciences, Marin Group, since 2017
President, Freeman Park Neighborhood Association, since 2010
Chair of the Nix-the-Nine Campaign
2011 - 2019
Founder, Livable California; expand the influence of elected officials and community leaders in the 9-county San Francisco Bay Area and beyond, 2018
Candidate, Marin County Board of Supervisors; won 42% of the votes against an incumbent, 2016
Board Chair, Marin Coalition; monthly speaker series to inform Marin leaders about timely issues, 2013-2016
Founder, Citizen Marin; engage community leaders in government re: housing, transportataion and land use, 2011
Susan’s core values as an Ambassador of Good Will:
Truth & Trust
Equity & Respect
Economic Justice
Hope and Resiliency
Personal Life
“My adult son and daughter are the highlights of my personal life and foster belief in a bright future. I nurture a garden that reminds me of stewardship, abundance, beauty and patience. Memories of trips to Greece, Sicily, Italy, China, Belize, and Malawi deepen my recognition of privilege, connection and responsibility. My spiritual practice reminds me to celebrate the divine in daily life.”