Suzy Villarruel is a social worker and doula from Houston, Texas. 

Trained in the Appreciative Inquiry model for community engagement, Suzy spent a decade developing public programs for predominantly immigrant and refugee populations in Houston. She expanded her reach internationally, overseeing a Child and Youth Protection Initiative in 30 cities across the US, Canada, Mexico and Central America. In recent years, Suzy transitioned to the tech industry where she assumed roles in operations. Her background in justice work remained integral as she established connections with underrepresented groups within the tech industry and promoted inclusive workplaces.

In her current consulting roles, she specializes in strategy and operations. Additionally, as a contract content writer, she underscores the importance of storytelling across industries.

Suzy holds a B.A. in International Studies and Spanish from the University of St. Thomas and a Master of Social Work from the Graduate College of Social Work at the University of Houston. In January 2020, she completed a full-spectrum doula training from Doula Training International in Austin. 

CREATIVE PRACTICE

Beyond her professional pursuits, Suzy maintains a socially-engaged practice. Inspired by her older sister Saydee, Suzy picked up film photography while in high school which she still practices till this day. Suzy is committed to preserving memory and promoting dignified living through storytelling while remaining trauma-informed. 

IN THE WORKS

Suzy is currently at work on an archival project with a group of Houston artists which bridges oral histories and narrative print traditions. She is also working on another project collecting experiences with navigating SB8 in Texas. She frequently collaborates with other creatives and artists in her family and her closest friends.

CV

  • Master of Social Work (2010)
    University of Houston

    International Studies & Spanish (2008)
    University of St. Thomas

  • 2024 El Sur | Tlalpan, México

    2022 Rosa Rebellion’s COMPOSE Cohort | Austin, Texas

    2022 Willow House | Terlingua, Texas

    2022 pocoapoco | Oaxaca, México

  • 2023 We are Houston | ALMAAHH

    2023 Women in Photo | Open Door Gallery

    2021 Withstand: Latinx Art in the Times of Conflict | Holocaust Museum Houston

    2017 Home & Away Curator | Hardy and Nance Studios

  • 2021-2023 Operations Manager at Endeavor

    Work in partnership with the Head of Strategic Initiatives to manage operations with a focus on maintaining an inclusive workplace and connecting with underrepresented groups.

    2018-2021 Operations Manager at TED | NY

    Work in partnership with the Chief Technology Officer to oversee operations for a global team of 50+ engineers, product managers, designers, and other technical and creative team members.

    2015-2018 Child and Youth Protection Manager at Covenant House International | NY

    Led the assessment, development, and implementation of a unified child and youth protection system across 30 cities in the US, Canada, and Latin America and managed cross-cultural relationship building in Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala.

    2016-2017 Masa NY | Bronx

    Designed and facilitated art-as-therapy workshops for children of immigrants to process post-election fears and anxiety.

    2014-2016 New York Legal Assistance Group | Brooklyn

    Community Immigration Clinics, Spanish Interpreter

    2012-2014 Community Liaison at Neighborhood Centers Inc. | Houston

    • Researched regional opportunities and neighborhood demographics to inform expansion decisions and other strategic initiatives.

    • Wrote reports for internal and external audiences to summarize program impact.

    2010-2012 Program Coordinator at Neighborhood Centers Inc. | Gulfton

    • Developed partnerships with major art organizations to bring programming to Gulfton and Sharpstown residents including but not limited to MFAH, Houston Grand Opera, and Young Audiences of Houston.

    • Recruited emerging local talent to develop and implement youth and adult enrichment curriculum.

    • Created and managed an artist-in-residency program with local artist who provided community workshops in exchange for studio spaces.

    • Partnered with Urban Harvest to launch a community garden.

    • Launched a recurring market to provide economic opportunities to local entrepreneurs and makers.

    2008-2010 Program Coordinator at Neighborhood Centers Inc. | Pasadena

    Developed various partnerships with community organizations to significantly grow offerings for youth and adults across four core program areas: Immigration and Citizenship, Civic Engagement, Economic Opportunities, and Health and Wellness.

    2007-2008 Activities Coordinator at Texas Inter-Faith | Spring Branch

    2004-2006 AmeriCorps | Children’s Assessment Center, Houston

  • "We do this because the world we live in is a house on fire and the people we love are burning."

    Sandra Cisneros

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