creator, speaker, strategist, educator, coach

social justice thought leader 

ANN SU CONSULTING

Visioning, creating and changing the world together.

Be extraordinary.

My life's calling has always been to help people be seen and heard. From my youngest age, I always seemed to connect across all ages, races, genders, creeds, interests. I always wanted to be part of "everything" and "everyone's friend". Somehow, I learned that would get me labeled as "scattered" because I was TOO broadly interested in the world and everything I could experience.

But I finally realized, I don't need to change my insatiable curiosity that drives me to try everything. And I don't need to stop trying to see, hear, understand and love people so openly. Instead, we could all open our minds and hearts a bit more.

I think the very things that made me an outlier are the strengths that I bring from a lifetime of being fiercely passionate about social justice, ethics and individual freedom yet equally committed to being part of larger communities. Instead of having to choose just one thing or a few people, I'm always looking for the connections amongst things--bridging. The more I learn, the less I know. The more I connect, the bigger my heart becomes and the smaller my ego needs. I think those are the right proportions and directions for individual growth over a lifetime. 

I'm a polymath and polyhedron of sorts. But this is also why I can help you or your organization achieve your greatest potential. My sense of porous mental and emotional boundaries means that the possibilities are limitless. Together, we can achieve amazing things that are grounded in an ethos of individual and communal good. 

Background

I am passionate about connecting people to their best selves and bridging understanding and connections between people and communities. This is why I have dedicated my life to working for social, economic and environmental justice. I studied Political and Social Thought and Environmental Science at University of Virginia. Then, I studied Critical race theory and public interest law at George Washington University. My interdisciplinary education enables me to apply an intersectional and multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving. I strive to use a lens of creativity that visions what is best instead of simply reacting to what "is". This is the type of inspiration I bring to my work and hope to help others use in their approach to life, work and personal challenges.

"
I attended a presentation that Ann Su did in Eugene about implicit bias. She was outstanding. Not only did she present the material quite effectively, but she also had the attention of the audience throughout. She accomplished this not only by making this difficult topic interesting, but also by engaging the audience in an interactive way.

Let me add that as a former attorney and career services professional, who now runs Human Resources at a government agency, I particularly appreciated that she brought in her legal understanding as an attorney, but she made the presentation accessible to all people of all backgrounds.

I highly recommend her.

"

/  Joshua Burstein, Human Resources Manager at Lane County of Governments /

Experience: strategist, teacher, keynote speaker, conversation leader and workshop/trainer

I advise organizations and non-profits in strategic planning and organizational effectiveness with an equity and inclusion lens. I have worked with local non-profits, government and private organizations for over twenty years as an advocate, community activist, educator, strategist and social justice leader. From 1998-2002, I was the Chair of Bradley-Angle House, a local organization that serves survivors of domestic violence and their families. I also was on the board of Oregon Center for Environmental Health and served as their board treasurer.

I am an adjunct faculty in the Political Science Department at Portland State University and my past courses included: Civil Liberties, Introduction to Law and Constitutional law. I am also an adjunct faculty at Portland Community College and my past courses included: Introduction to Women’s studies, Introduction to law, Family Law and Legal research and writing. Previously, I was assistant professor in liberal arts at Portland Northwest College of Art and taught “Race, Racism and American Law." Also, I taught “Public Speaking and Digital presentations” at Marylhurst University.

I speak and present workshops locally, statewide and nationally. I was a Conversation Project facilitator for Oregon Humanities from 2016-2020. From 2016-2018, I facilitated the conversation topic exploring the issues surrounding racial diversity and identity, the conversation was entitled What's in a Label? Then, in 2018-2020, I facilitated a conversation on our individual relationship with freedom, and the conversation was entitled “It’s a Free Country: exploring the limits of our rights and responsibilities.”

In May 2018, I presented at the International Conference for the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development on combatting implicit bias in higher education. At the same conference I received a Teaching Excellence award as a faculty member at Portland Community College. I also was also awarded 1 of 5 national scholarships. 2018 scholarship recipients  In 2017, I presented to over 800 participants at the State of Oregon Equity and Inclusion conference and was a keynote speaker at the National Council of Urban Education Associations National Conference. In 2015, I was a featured TedXYouth presenter in Louisiana.