Suzanne Parker, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of the Valley since 2006, works closely with the community, the staff and the Board of Directors, to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. of the Valley, founded in 1981, provides school-age, youth development and mentoring programs that give youth the opportunity to develop and achieve their full potential. Under Ms. Parker’s leadership, Girls Inc. of the Valley has expanded its geographic reach serving up to 1,000 youth in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee and the surrounding towns.

A native of western Massachusetts, Ms. Parker earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Juris Doctor Degree from Western New England University School of Law. Ms. Parker has served nationally on Girls Inc. Board of Directors, and locally on the Holyoke Community College Board of Trustees. Ms. Parker is married and has a 17-year-old daughter.

During this episode, we chat about:

• What Girls Inc. of the Valley provides to girls in the area
• What Suzanne has accomplished as Executive Director for the past 16 years
• How they expanded to include Springfield after their community kept asking for it
• Different programs that Girls Inc. of the Valley offers
• How the organization has expanded its programs and offerings over time
• The impact that Girls Inc. of the Valley has made on the Pioneer Valley specifically
• Suzanne’s favorite part about her role
• How youth and volunteers can get involved
• What Suzanne did prior to joining Girls Inc. of the Valley
• Her advice for anyone who becomes an Executive Director of an organization
• How to ask people for their money or time as well as leverage board members’ expertise

And more. Listen to this episode to learn more about Suzanne and her involvement with this community.

Access the full transcript here.

Watch the episode on YouTube here.

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