Susan Freeman - CEO, Giver, Overly Enthusiastic Storyteller

Susan Freeman — CEO, Giver, Overly Enthusiastic Storyteller

Susan’s goal is to help women in business communicate effectively with the world — and to help men communicate effectively with women in business!

Susan’s training draws on her experiences as a sales executive in the financial services industry, her business development, and leadership training in the legal industry and her graduate-level studies in Communication. Susan’s passion for helping women succeed is long-standing. She co-founded “Women’s Business Connection” in Massachusetts and “Girl Power” with over 6,000 followers. She has also taught “Girls in Politics,” a program created to introduce girls to politics, policy, and the branches of government.

Susan recently completed Cornell University’s “Institute for Women’s Entrepreneurship” program of studies. Her enthusiasm for the benefits of building meaningful relationships has made her a great connector and as such, she has over 15,000 followers on social media. As an ENFJ, she excels at building relationships and teaching others to do the same. She helps professionals communicate effectively in order to develop new business. She trains professionals to use client-centric insights to assess needs and identify solutions that meet strategic goals.

Susan has worked with some of the most prestigious law firms and financial services institutions in the world. Susan is the co-author of the book, “THE ULTIMATE WOMEN ASSOCIATES’ LAW FIRM MARKETING CHECKLIST.” She has been published in California Lawyers Association and “The Art & Science of Persuasion” for “Legal Business World.” Susan has been a podcast guest on many shows, including Scott Love’s “Partner Podcast,” Good2bSocial’s “Legal Marketing 2.0,” “The Corporate Career Challenge” and the “Ellevate Podcast.” Susan was a guest on “Women Worldwide” with Deirdre Breakenridge. Susan has appeared on Alissa Carpenter’s “Humanize Your Workplace” podcast as well. Susan also published an article in Mike O’Horo’s Rainmaker blog, “Good Questions Are More Powerful Than Any Answers.”

Susan was graduated with honors from Hawaii Pacific University with a Master of Arts degree in Communication and she was graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Political Science and Journalism, with a minor in Marketing. She also studied Marketing at Northeastern University in Boston. Susan has lived in Louisiana, Switzerland, Italy, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and now, California. Throughout her sojourns, she has developed a large, interconnected circle. Susan lives in the Bay Area with her husband, Mike Futrell.

Q. Best advice for women who want to go out in life and crush it!

A. Be secure in yourself. Never act out of fear — always act out of love. Become your highest and best self and do not let other people's opinions impact your flight plan. Other people's opinions are none of your business, as you cannot control others — only Self. In other words — own your story and when you do, you can write your own ending.

Q. What do you do to celebrate women?

A. I give women a voice so that they are heard — and respected. Through storytelling and podcasting, I facilitate transformative change. This change allows us to see the world in a different way. The stories these women tell are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world. They pave the path for more people to listen with empathy and not judgment — something this world needs much more of. This aspect of storytelling – presenting a different perspective of the world – is important when it comes to connecting with each other.

It gives us an opportunity to learn from another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen or challenge our opinions and values. When a story catches our attention and engages us, we are more likely to absorb the message and meaning within it than if the same message was presented simply in facts and figures. When someone tells us their own personal story, we catch a glimpse of a view of the world that may be slightly or radically different from our own. When we see the world as they see it, or walk in their shoes, the experience can inspire empathy within them.

Q. What do you want to see more of?

A. Women lifting others as they themselves rise. Asking powerful questions. Listening so that we can empathize. Laughing so we can connect. Loving so we can understand.

Q. Recommended reading:

A. Anything by Brené Brown because being and loving our highest and best selves is empowering.

"How to Think Like Leonardo DaVinci" by Gelb because it is a brilliant, practical guide to awakening and training our own vast, underused resources of intelligence and ability.

Q. The theme for this year's women's history month is Valiant Women of the Vote. What women's rights are you most passionate about?

A. The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Throughout history, the denial of free speech has been instrumental in keeping women disenfranchised and subordinate, and the exercise of speech has been crucial to climbing every rung of the long ladder toward equality. Although ancient Athens was the birthplace of democracy and free speech, women were excluded. Aristotle (in)famously wrote, “Silence is a woman’s glory.” But uninhibited speech allowed writers like Sophocles and Aristophanes to write tragedies and comedies that restored female voices and agency. In Aristophanes’ Lysistrata, women weary of the war between Athens and Sparta refuse their husbands sex until they agree to end hostilities. Aristophanes may not have been a proto-feminist, but Lysistrata has inspired women and outraged the defenders of patriarchal oppression ever since. For decades, importing and distributing the play was forbidden, even in the US. In the Roman Republic, women were also cut out of the power loop and forbidden from serving as magistrates and voting in assemblies. In 195 BC, two magistrates proposed repealing a law prohibiting women from wearing luxury items, including expensive clothing. The proposal ignited a tumultuous debate around the Forum. But, in history’s first Women’s March, Roman women found their collective voice.

Q. Shout out to another woman who has made a difference in your life and how she/they did that.

A. Pat Gillette. Pat recognizes the uneven playing field for women and minorities. Rather than complain about the inequities, she focuses on how individuals and corporations can overcome these challenges. Pat has a unique perspective on how individuals can increase business opportunities for themselves and their organizations, without regard to their gender or race. As an authentic people-person, she connected powerfully with me and related deeply to me. She has been my personal "shero," a champion and a confidante. Pat has an uncanny ability to break through gender and generational barriers and talks about difficult issues with candor, warmth, and authenticity. She showed me genuine concern and genuine support. Her communication style is peppered with humor while still focused on solutions. Her warm and sincere approach to helping others, gets people thinking about what they can do to fin their highest and best selves. She motivates people and brings about positive change. She has moved the needle for so many women in business so I cannot call her all my own but I can certainly say I am honored to share her with so many other women who have benefitted directly from her grit and grace, her courage and confidence, her head and heart.

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Monica PhillipsMarch 6, 2020