Susan grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio where her interest in the environment took shape on family summer camping trips. Susan went to college in Appalachian Ohio and started her activism in environmental and human rights issues in the early 90s. After college, Susan stayed in southeastern Ohio, working for a rural community development organization and then as a campaigner to protect Ohio’s public forestlands for a small statewide organization. Out of necessity, Susan assumed the development functions in addition to campaigning, launching her fundraising career. From her early activism, Susan came to believe many of the issues she was concerned about were caused by capitalism and a power imbalance that gave the wealthy decision-making power over the livelihoods and well-being of the majority of people and the environment. Susan started getting involved in projects advancing alternative social, economic, and political structures based on mutual aid and respect and direct democracy. In 2006, Susan moved to western Massachusetts. Since then, Susan has worked for advocacy and youth development organizations on a range of issues, including climate change, civil liberties, environmental education, reproductive justice, and reproductive rights. Susan joined N2N in January 2023.
