An accomplished Executive Director and CEO at North Georgia Angel House Inc, Susan Worsley has a proven track record in non-profit organization management. Her expertise includes nonprofit organizations, budgeting, coaching, crisis intervention, and government affairs. Susan holds a Doctor of Human Services degree with a focus on Public Administration and Social Service Professions from Capella University.
Having grown up near the ocean, Susan has spent most of her life around the water. Certified as a diver, she finds joy in sinking to the bottom of the sea, reveling in the tranquility and appreciating the beauty of marine life. A veteran who served four years actively and three years in the reserves in the US Navy, Susan has a global perspective from living and traveling abroad, gaining valuable insights into diverse cultures.
Susan’s professional journey spans over 32 years in Child Welfare, where she has worked in various capacities, including Investigations, Family Preservation, Adoptions, Residential Care, and Administration. She started her career in the state of Florida and navigated through the privatization of the Department of Children and Family Services.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Susan always has a dog by her side and has cared for four Pembroke Welsh Corgis while at the North Georgia Angel House. She maintains an active lifestyle through running and regular attendance at Orange Theory Fitness. In both her personal and professional life, Susan strives for the best outcomes, choosing to see the positive in every situation. Her belief in the transformative power of resilience, developed through life’s challenges, is a guiding principle that she considers priceless.
A Beacon of Excellence
The North Georgia Angel House has consistently maintained its position in the top 1% of best-performing Child Caring Institutes for over 15 years, according to the Department of Family and Children Services. Nationally accredited through the Council of Rehabilitative Facilities, the organization has been providing a range of essential services to children in the custody of DFCS (Department of Family and Children Services) and DJJ (Department of Juvenile Justice). These services include shelter, life skills, education, job readiness, and more.
In addition to its core programs, the North Georgia Angel House runs an innovative animal rescue program, pairing children in shelter care with animals in shelter care. Recognizing the restorative nature of the relationship between children and animals, the program provides a unique opportunity for both the child and the animal to give and receive love.
Responding to the challenges brought about by Covid-19, the North Georgia Angel House opened a school specifically designed for children in foster care. The initiative aimed to create a safe environment where children could work at their own pace. This approach yielded significant positive outcomes, with all students earning passing grades and thriving academically for the first time in 15 years. Subsequently, the school received full accreditation, and plans are underway to expand services to foster youth in transition or those facing academic challenges in larger school settings. The organization’s commitment to the well-being and success of children in foster care is evident in its innovative and impactful programs.
Transforming Lives
As the CEO at North Georgia Angel House, Susan’s primary focus lies in taking risks on children when others have given up on them. The team encounters children daily who have moved across the state due to their behaviors, and North Georgia Angel House is dedicated to trying harder than any other provider to give these children the opportunity to be successful. The organization’s commitment is unwavering, and if a particular approach doesn’t yield the desired results, it is not for a lack of trying.
In addition to their ongoing efforts, North Georgia Angel House opens its doors every year for any former youth they have raised. This heartwarming tradition welcomes between 60-100 former girls who return home annually. These individuals bring their own children, creating a special opportunity for the little ones to experience Christmas with an extended family. This tradition, initiated about 15 years ago, holds significant value as it provides these individuals, who were once in foster care as children, with a place they can always call home. The commitment to creating a supportive and lasting family environment reflects North Georgia Angel House’s dedication to the well-being of the children it has cared for over the years.
Leadership Insights
Behind Susan’s desk, two significant things convey her beliefs about leadership. The first is Teddy Roosevelt’s “The Man in the Arena.” This quote reflects the idea that true leaders, like those in the trenches every single day, may face challenges and criticism. Despite being bruised and battered, the focus remains on the fight, getting up time and time again, and staying dedicated to the mission.
The second item is from Admiral William McRaven (Retired), particularly his book “Make Your Bed” and his commencement speech, which is required reading for all staff at North Georgia Angel House. The message is straightforward yet profound: the little things we do each day accumulate to shape the significant aspects of our lives. This underscores the importance of attention to detail and the understanding that small, consistent actions contribute to larger accomplishments and overall success. These two guiding principles reflect Susan’s perspective on resilient leadership and the significance of daily efforts in achieving broader goals.
Pursuit of Lifelong Learning
Being actively engaged in business strategy is deemed critical by Susan in her role as the CEO. She believes that a CEO should be well-acquainted with all roles and responsibilities within the business to provide optimal oversight. This entails being present at work and actively participating in all facets of decision-making.
Susan attributes her success to possessing a great sense of humor, a resilient spirit, and a faith in God. She places value on all aspects of life, both positive and negative. Susan holds the belief that every life experience is intentional and serves as a means to facilitate learning. She appreciates working with individuals who are passionate about their work and can look beyond today’s behavior for the prospect of a better tomorrow.
To continue growing as a leader, Susan emphasizes the importance of daily reminders about why she works in this field. Acknowledging that someone will always be dissatisfied, she values the ability to agree to disagree agreeably—an essential quality often lacking in today’s emerging leaders. Susan believes it’s acceptable to support an unpopular decision, emphasizing the significance of prioritizing what is right over who is right. Taking responsibility when things go awry, offering apologies, and actively seeking solutions remain timeless and crucial aspects of effective leadership.
Challenges in the Digital Age
Susan has observed a significant change at the North Georgia Angel House, particularly in the increased dependence on cell phones among children. Many children now have access to cell phones and are often unwilling to part with them. This poses a challenge when supervising contact between children and their parents, as unsupervised phone use carries substantial risks. The organization has encountered issues with both previous and new predators soliciting children for inappropriate content.
To address these concerns, a policy has been implemented requiring all children with phones to surrender them daily for inspection, checking for any inappropriate content. However, there are instances where children appeal to the court to order the organization to allow them to keep their phones without inspection. When the court blurs the line between making rulings and extending into parenting decisions, the organization is left with limited options, often resulting in the discharge of a child from the program.
Approach to Collective Responsibility
When Susan was in the military, the team understood the importance of teamwork. If there was a team member struggling, it was seen as the collective responsibility to assist them. This approach is strongly valued. When encountering individuals seeking individual recognition, efforts are made to guide them towards a different career. The work at hand cannot be accomplished in isolation. The organization operates continuously, every day of the year, necessitating consistent contributions from everyone. The expectation is that individuals are available to contribute around the clock, including answering the phone and being willing to work. The same commitment is expected from everyone on the team.
Lead with Integrity and Resilience
Susan’s advice to someone stepping into a leadership position for the first time is to surround oneself with individuals possessing good ethics, an honorable character, a compassionate heart, and the ability to confront adversity even when others may not. In leadership, the work can be challenging, recognition may be minimal, criticisms numerous, and results subject to public scrutiny. In navigating these challenges, Susan emphasizes the importance of maintaining a sense of humor. Acknowledge that there will be days when the difficulty of the work may bring you close to tears, and on those days, finding the ability to laugh can be a powerful tool for resilience and perspective.
