The Staff
Sue Westcott, Executive Director
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Susan has been living and working in Sarasota since 1996. Her work in the non profit sector is extensive. After almost 20 years with Planned Parenthood, Susan went on to work for such outstanding non profit agencies as the Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse, Sarasota Family YMCA’s Transitional Living Program, and most recently in Sarasota County Pubic High Schools directing a drop- out intervention program. She has successfully helped Sarasota’s youth deal with a wide array of issues, including mental and sexual health, substance abuse, domestic abuse, homelessness, incarceration, bullying, etc.
Other positions she’s had over the years include being a private investigator, bartender, a hostess at Walt Disney’s EPCOT Center, and grass roots lobbyist. Susan entered the workforce at the tender age of 11, delivering newspapers 7 days a week and except for a brief unemployment period, has been in the workforce ever since.
Susan graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. The original plan was to secure employment in such an agency as the FBI, CIA, or ATF, she soon realized this type of work failed to satisfy her deep need to help others. She later earned 25 credits towards her Masters in Counseling at West Chester University of Pennsylvania.
Susan is very happily attached. She lives with her daughter, Samantha, a freshman at Riverview High, and son Harrison, a seventh grader at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. Also included in the household are canines Roxy and Jenna, and felines; Allen, Benny, Lilly, and Jessica. All of her beloved pets have been rescued.
Susan was raised with liberal, ethical, and compassionate values and morals. Her parents recently celebrated their 51st Anniversary, so refreshing in today’s society!
Susan is extremely excited about joining the ALSO Staff and looks forward to working with community partners, donors, board members, and staff in order to better serve our GLBT youth.
