Susanna has over 40 years of experience in organizational change management, regulatory compliance, and intergovernmental relations. She has led organizational restructuring initiatives and developed systems and processes designed to improve accountability and operational efficiency. She has also founded and managed multiple for-profit and nonprofit ventures.
She has conducted research studies, management reviews, performance audits, and economic impact analyses for agencies in transportation, utilities, education, workforce development, and business sectors. In addition, she has facilitated strategic planning and visioning sessions with stakeholders across governmental agencies, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations. She has served as an organizational development consultant and executive advisor, working with executives on performance enhancement and professional advancement.
She founded HiPoint Coaching and Hi-Point Consulting in 2014, and later established HiPoint Career Solutions, which continues to operate today as a premier Executive Career transition and leadership development firm.
Susanna’s prior executive and administrative experience spans mid-size and large matrix organizations. Her areas of specialization include human resource management, employee relations, employment law compliance, strategic planning, process improvement, change management, business and P&L management, risk assessment, mergers and acquisitions, program evaluation, and project management.
Her leadership roles include serving as Chief Compliance Officer for a $290M private higher education organization with 18 campuses across seven states, which later merged with a multinational corporation. She directed workforce development and resource development initiatives for one of the largest community college districts in the United States, served as Executive Director of an economic development corporation, and held the role of Vice President for Regulatory Affairs for a public higher education organization. She has also supported the launch of five nonprofit organizations.
Susanna holds a Master’s Degree in Public Policy Analysis from West Virginia University, Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and French, and completed postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management at UCLA, along with a Certificate in Business Leadership from the Disney Business Institute. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute (2015–2018).
In addition to her professional work, she is active in the Los Angeles area civic and business community. She served on the President’s Advisory Board for Pasadena City College, is co-founder and Vice President of Aim High Learning, serves on the advisory board for Women at Work, and is a former board member of the H.E.A.R. Center. She has received more than a dozen commendations from congressional, state, and local officials in recognition of her community contributions.
