Hi, I’m
SUSANNE SCHMIDT (she/her)
Burlington,VT
Summary
Innovative Speaker, Trainer, Consultant and Producer with experience in all aspects of providing consultation to organizations, groups and individuals on the power of narrative practice and communication. Collaborative strengths-based approach, working closely with strategic and creative communities to inspire connection and deepen understanding.
Skills
- Public Speaking
- Presentations and Demonstrations
- Facilitate Group Discussions
- Coaching and Development
- Instructional Strategies
- Team-Building Activities
- Teaching Material Development
- Interactive Learning
- Workshop Leadership
- Organizational Systems
- Communications Theory
- Live Events
Work History
Northern Vermont University and University of Vermont
Graduate Faculty
1998.01 - Current (26 years & 8 months)
Job overview
- Development and instruction of graduate-level coursework in clinical mental health counseling, clinical supervision and organizational leadership and development.
- Areas of expertise: child, youth and family mental health; organizational leadership and system change; clinical supervision; crisis intervention; motivational interviewing; diversity, equity and inclusion; co-occurring addictions; mental health and legal issues for youth and families and narrative practice.
Susanne Schmidt Stories
Story Coach, Producer, Consultant, Creative Director
2014.01 - Current (10 years & 8 months)
Job overview
- Collaborative consultation with mission-driven human service organizations using first- person narrative storytelling to raise social justice awareness.
- Storytelling workshops, group and individual coaching, event production, and management consultation.
- Corporate training for private non-profit, public for-profit, and governmental organizations interested in improving communication and collaboration through the art of first-person narrative.
The Moth
Regional Producer
2015.01 - Current (9 years & 8 months)
Job overview
- Production and oversight of live StorySLAM and GrandSLAM events in Vermont, including coordination of technical crew, event hosts, and venue staff.
- Liaison between Moth NYC corporate headquarters and regional team.
Consultant
Mental Health Consultant, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor
2009.01 - Current (15 years & 8 months)
Job overview
- Individual and family consultation with children, adolescents, young adults and families. Specialization with trauma, addiction issues, court evaluations, LGBTQIA+ and immigrant and refugee family transitions.
- Best-practice-systems consultation and design in the areas of child and adolescent human services, juvenile justice, integrated health care and narrative practice.
EmbraceRace
UnderStory Project Manager
2020.01 - 2021.09 (1 year & 8 months)
Job overview
- Initial project designer and manager for a national storytelling initiative to elevate stories from BIPOC communities.
- Recruitment and onboarding of staff, development of training and production content.
Superior Court Of Vermont
Guardian Ad-Litem Coordinator
2013.06 - 2016.12 (3 years & 6 months)
Job overview
- Recruitment, training and supervision of Court Appointed Special Advocates overseeing the juvenile court process.
- Community collaboration between the court system and state-wide human services providers to promote best practice across all aspects of court process.
Northern Vermont University
Assistant Academic Coordinator
2009.01 - 2013.06 (4 years & 5 months)
Job overview
- Oversight of the graduate program standards including curriculum development, student advising, program evaluation, supervision, mentoring and recruitment of adjunct faculty and development of policy and procedure concerning state licensure of graduating students.
State of Vermont Agency of Human Services
Field Director/Children's Integrated Services Director
2004.11 - 2009.01 (4 years & 2 months)
Job overview
- Statewide project director for the redesign of an integrated human-service delivery systemincluding coordination of the statewide multidisciplinary Children's Integrated Services
- Team and lead of the State Interagency Team and Case Review Committee
- Oversight and supervision of all AHS service delivery systems for Addison County
- Chief of
Vermont Department Of Mental Health
Chief of Operations
1998.07 - 2003.12 (5 years & 5 months)
Job overview
- Fiscal and clinical management of a statewide network of mental health programs for the state department of Child, Adolescent and Family services
- Consultant on compliance with state and federal Medicaid regulations.
- Technical assistance to the public mental health system concerning the provision of community- based crisis treatment and prevention services.
Howard Center for Human Services
Comprehensive Care Director / First Call Director
1995.06 - 1998.07 (3 years & 1 month)
Job overview
- Design and implementation of an emergency system of care for children and families
- Clinical, administrative, and operational supervision of all program components including collaboration and consultation with state and federal partners, law enforcement, emergency medical services, legal advocates, and the court system
- Development and oversite of a 3.2 million dollar budget.
Education
University of Vermont , Burlington, VT
Master of Science from Clinical Mental Health Counseling
05.1987
Plymouth State University , Plymouth, NH
Bachelor of Arts from Psychology/Music
1980
Languages
American Sign Language
Limited Working
Accomplishments
Featured Work
CBS Sunday Morning 2018
WGBH Stories from the Stage 2018, 2019
National Public Radio (NPR) 2020
Home Box Office’s (HBO) Inspiration Room 2018
Webby Award Recipient 2021
Best of Valley Voices New England Public Media (NEPM) 2016, 2022
Featured Performer, Toronto Women in Comedy Festival 2017
Featured Performer, Boston Women in Comedy Festival 2015, 2016
Consultation Clients
Advocates for Children of New Jersey, American Academy of Pediatrics, AmeriCorps Vista, Association for the Blind, Association of Medical Professionals, Champlain College Women in Leadership, EmbraceRace, Federation of Families, Global Campus International, Hampshire College, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Institute for Sustainable Communities, Larner Medical College, Maine Counseling Association, National Library Association, New Balance Corporation, New England Foster Parent Association, Planned Parenthood, Southern NH University, The Turrell Foundation, The United Way, University of Vermont Medical Center, Vermont Blueprint for Health, Vermont Child Health Improvement Project, Vermont Legal Aide, Vermont Department of Agriculture, Corrections, Education and Health and Human Services, Vermont Legislature, VT Network to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, Vermont Family Network, Vermont Health Education Initiative, VT Judiciary Improvement Plan, Vermont Restorative Justice Centers, Vermont School Board Association
Curricula
The Art and Science of Storytelling ~ What Brain Research Tells Us About The Power of Stories
Telling on Ourselves ~ Using Stories as a Tool for Recovery from Addiction and Substance Use
Why Stories Matter ~ Elevating Lesser-Heard Voices of Lived Experience
The Story of Change ~ Stories of Global Sustainable Change in Communities
Tell me Something Good ~ Recovering from Trauma through Stories
Tell Me Why It Hurts ~ Applying Narrative Principles to the Practice of Medicine
The Whole Truth and Nothing But ~ First-Person Narrative in Restorative Justice
Storytelling as Advocacy ~ Using Stories in the Courtroom
Inside Out ~ First-Person Narrative with Incarcerated Populations
Everyone Belongs ~ Tools for Working with Storytellers with Different Abilities
Do With, Not For ~ Storytelling for Non-Profit Organizations
Story Board ~ Storytelling with Board Members to Enhance Connection and Mission Messaging
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