With more than 20 years of experience supporting individuals and families affected by violence, abuse, and crisis, Susana brings an extraordinary range of knowledge to her new role as IPV Crisis Coordinator at LGBT Life Center. Her background spans federal law enforcement, criminal investigations, behavior analysis, and human services, all grounded in a trauma-informed approach that helps people feel heard, supported, and safer as they move forward.
Name/Nickname: Susana
Pronouns: She/Her
Job title: IPV Crisis Coordinator
Where’d you come from and what’d you do there? I bring over 20 years of experience working with individuals and families impacted by violence, abuse, and crisis. My professional background includes serving as a federal police officer and working on investigations involving sex crimes against children, human trafficking, and other serious offenses.
I have also spent several years working in behavior analysis, which strengthened my skills in understanding behavior, crisis intervention, and supporting individuals through challenging circumstances. Throughout my career, one thing has remained consistent: I genuinely enjoy helping people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives and connecting them with the support, safety, and resources they need.
My education in Criminal Justice and Forensic Psychology, combined with my law enforcement, investigative, behavioral, and human services experience, has given me a well-rounded perspective that I’m excited to bring to my role at LGBT Life Center.
I’m here to help you with…Navigating difficult situations, accessing resources, and finding support when you’re experiencing crisis, violence, abuse, or other barriers that may affect your safety and well-being.
In my role at LGBT Life Center, I work directly with clients to identify their needs, connect them with appropriate services and community resources, provide crisis support, and advocate for them when additional assistance is needed. I bring a trauma-informed approach to supporting each person based on their individual circumstances. Throughout my career, I’ve worked with people during some of the most vulnerable and difficult moments of their lives, and I’ve seen firsthand how important it is for someone in crisis to have a safe place where they feel heard, respected, and supported without judgment. My goal is to make sure clients feel heard, supported, and better equipped to move forward safely.
How did you become interested in working at LGBT Life Center? I became interested in LGBT Life Center because its mission aligns closely with the work I’ve dedicated much of my career to—supporting victims of violence, advocating for people who may feel marginalized or underserved, and helping individuals access the resources they need to regain safety and stability.
For me, this role is an opportunity to bring my experience into an organization where I can continue doing work that has always been meaningful to me: helping people when they need someone in their corner.
What’s an interesting thing about you that most people don’t know? Something most people don’t know about me is that I’m multilingual—I speak English, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese, and I also know a bit of French. Being able to communicate in different languages has been incredibly meaningful in both my personal life and career, especially when connecting with people from diverse cultures and helping them feel more comfortable and understood in their own language.
Outside of work, I also love attending concerts and live music events, where I enjoy the energy of the crowd and the experience of live performances.
What excites you most about being at LGBT Life Center? The opportunity to continue learning while doing meaningful advocacy work. I am especially passionate about standing up for those who may not be able to fight for themselves and helping them find their voice, strength, and sense of empowerment. Being part of an organization that supports people through crisis, builds resilience, and connects them with life-changing resources is incredibly motivating to me, and I look forward to growing while making a real difference in the lives of others.
Rapid Fire…what is your favorite…
Animal: Butterflies
Color: PINK
Song/Music: Heavy Metal/Korn
TV Show/Movie: All Crime shows/ Powerpuff Girls
Hobby: Concerts, Festivals, Bourbon
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