Driven by a deep passion for social justice, Suzanne S. Brown, MSW, is widely recognized as a Change Champion. Backed by more than 15 years of experience in the social impact sector, this Los Angeles native is a force to be reckoned with. Her unwavering dedication to transforming communities and changing lives through the disruption of adverse practices within systems that serve vulnerable populations remains steadfast.

Her most recent role as Executive Director of the Center for Freedom and Safety, Suzanne fostered inclusive communities and combated hate-motivated violence through education, advocacy, mobilization, and collaboration. With both a background and education in social impact, she led strategic initiatives to raise awareness, build partnerships, and empower communities to stand against discrimination and promote tolerance. Through innovative programs and partnerships, Suzanne guided the Center for Freedom and Safety as they worked to create a society where all individuals remain respected, valued, and protected from the harms of hate crimes.

In her previous role as the Executive Director for Southern California at First Place for Youth, Suzanne expertly oversaw fundraising and operations. She also strengthened and cultivated valuable partnerships to ensure the organization consistently delivered exceptional services and support to over 200 transition-age current and former foster youth in the region annually.

Prior to joining First Place, Suzanne served as National Director of T alent Solutions for LeadersUp. Here she oversaw and advanced program initiatives to end unemployment and bridge the opportunity divide between the untapped potential of diverse talent and American businesses for more than 2,000 young adults. Her responsibilities included leading regional recruiting and training teams in Los Angeles, Oakland, and Chicago. Additionally, she supported youth in successfully navigating career pathways.

Suzanne launched her social impact career with the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) as a family service worker at the HeadStart and State preschool. She later served as Project Manager for Neighborhoods at Workplace – a community change initiative. Before ending her tenure at LAUL, she helped pilot the organization’s first “Parent Engagement program” as Director of the Parent Academy. There she worked to increase minority parent engagement and advocacy for student educational opportunities in grades K-12.

In addition to serving as a Change Champion, Suzanne actively coaches and mentors undergraduate college students by providing support and guidance in the areas of career planning and advancement. She is the Board President of the Holliday’s Helping Hands Foundation, an organization that works to improve the lives of individuals and families that struggle to create safer, healthier paths toward a brighter future with more opportunities. She also serves as Board President to Phorward, Inc. an organization committed to providing mental health resources to communities within California and around the world. Suzanne also published a policy analysis that focuses on the Trafficking Victims Protections Act (TVPA) 2000 which examined the impact the TVPA had on victims and survivors of sex trafficking and evaluated the strengths and limitations of the policy with recommendations for improvement to the unintended consequences caused by various policies and practices.

Suzanne earned her Master of Social Work, magna cum laude, from California State University, Long Beach, and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Pan African Studies from California State University, Northridge.