Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Asimakis.
Susan, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Upon receiving my college degree (B.S. Biology) I had a strong desire to pursue a career as a physical therapist.
Throughout my life, I was very active and interested in sports, health and wellness so it seemed natural to navigate to healthcare, specifically physical therapy. Before throwing myself back into academics I decided to first get some work experience and explore the country. I moved from northeastern Pennsylvania to Boston, MA and accepted a position at Tufts University as a research technician. Living and working in Boston as a young professional was fascinating and freeing. I loved it so much that I also found love in the lab. Yes, I found my future husband and life partner in that research lab at Tufts.
He was a Texas transplant conducting his post-doctrinal studies at Tufts and Massachusetts General Hospital, so we worked side-by-side often on projects. We were married in 1980 and moved to Galveston, TX as my husband had accepted a faculty position at the University of Texas Medical Branch. I continued to do research at the university, however, was growing anxious to do more with my career. It was then that I found the American Cancer Society (ACS). This was a breakthrough moment in my life as I soon discovered in addition to my interest in health I was good at raising money and building relationships.
For the next 18 years, my career advanced through the American Cancer Society culminating in a leadership role as the Vice President of Development for Texas focused on the metropolitan markets and their donor development and fundraising efforts.
Working side-by-side with volunteers and donors dedicated to conquering cancer certainly left an impression on me and clearly added to my professional and personal development. It was here that I learned the true craft of fundraising from annual gift giving to major and planned gifts, as well as, event production and sponsorship fundraising.
There were many firsts during my time at the ACS. One that I’m particularly proud of was the creation of Victory, a volunteer group which led to producing the Cattle Barons Ball. This was an ambitious undertaking in 1989 which continues to thrive today and raises over $1M for a worthy organization.
Then at the urging of a mentor, opportunity knocked and led me to the Greater Houston Partnership, a business-focused organization dedicated to making Houston one of the best places in the world to live, work and build a business. Since 1999 I have had the pleasure of leading a team as the Senior Vice President of Member Engagement.
Every day the Partnership is at the cutting edge of issues important to making Houston greater and my team is right there attracting companies to join our organization and engaging members to become involved in committee work as well as participation in programs, special initiatives and events.
Has it been a smooth road?
If I think back to early challenges or opportunities as I like to refer to them, it would start with being born at the right time so that in 1972 I could be part of the historic generation of girls able to participate freely in athletics because of the passage of Title 9. I was a sophomore in high school and played basketball, and not only enjoyed playing but benefited greatly from participating in team sports.
It wasn’t until years later when my daughter participated in competitive sports that it dawned on me just how groundbreaking that era was for girls. It was my generation that boldly took on the challenge of “showing up” for practice and demonstrating that we could compete, which paved the way for my daughter to eventually participate in the US Olympic Trials in Track and Field.
As for challenges along my career path, I was no different than most professional women juggling work demands and family life. Attitude played a significant role in survival as well as having an extremely supportive husband.
I was never one to shy away from trying new concepts or making changes that would help drive new opportunities. When at the American Cancer Society, I was the first senior officer to work outside of the headquarter offices in Austin. The CEO was supportive of my role and family, which allowed me to remain in Houston to lead the state-wide team. He was an early adopter of technology, and so I was essentially an experiment which fortunately worked out and cleared the path for others to do the same.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Greater Houston Partnership – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
The Greater Houston Partnership is all about moving Houston forward. We are the region’s leading business organization and work to make Houston one of the world’s best places to live, work and build a business.
The expectations are great but so is our network of business members. We proudly serve the 11-county Houston region with a membership base that accounts for approximately one-fifth of all Houston jobs. Since 1840, the Partnership has succeeded through strength in numbers. Together, we make Houston greater.
At the center of everything we do, the Partnership is about building connections. Whether you are interested in networking, information or impacting, the Partnership is the place to be. We bring business and civic-minded leaders together to positively impact the region’s economic development on a global scale. And we’re just getting started.
It’s a very exciting time for the Partnership. Houston has become known as a truly great global city. But to get where we want to go, the region must embrace bold, new ways to build consensus around growth. The region will always be recognized for its contributions to trade, energy and healthcare – but how do we go beyond? How do we expand our portfolio as global industries digitize the nature of work doings as businesses automate their operations?
This is why I am so proud of our Houston business leaders. Day in and day out, our members work hard to keep Houston competitive and thriving in an ever-changing economic landscape. It is very inspiring. To support the region and our members’ tireless efforts, the Partnership hosts more than a hundred events a year, not including, numerous programs, committee and council meetings, forums and programs advocating for a greater Houston.
Through our members, the Greater Houston Partnership continues to be on the front line championing the region’s most pressing issues. All focused to attract top-tier talent and businesses for greater Houston’s long-term economic prosperity. I’d like to share a few examples of how we do this.
It is always exciting to see how the Partnership and City of Houston are working together to push Houston forward. Through Houston Exponential, the Partnership has partnered with Mayor Turner’s Innovation and Technology Task Force to provide catalytic leadership and venture capital incentives to accelerate the development of Houston’s innovation economy. The Partnership’s UpSkill Houston program is working to close the region’s skill gap through industry-led collaborations between businesses, educational institutions, social services organizations and government agencies.
The Partnership was also active in response to Hurricane Harvey. Almost every Houstonian was impacted by the floods that followed the unprecedented rainfall of Harvey. In addition to supporting philanthropic efforts, including Mayor Turner & Judge Emmett’s Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund, the Partnership launched the Flood Resiliency Task Force. The work of this group contributed to the state’s funding request to secure a long-term flood resiliency infrastructure for Houston. We will work to ensure that these funds are spent wisely and in a manner that mitigates the impact of future storms.
Again, it is an exciting time for the Partnership. So, when someone asks why they should join the Greater Houston Partnership, I ask them two questions: Do you want to gain a competitive edge in your career and business? Do you want to make a difference?
Contact Info:
- Address: 701 Avenida de las Americas, Ste. 900 Houston, TX 77010
- Website: www.houston.org
- Phone: 713-844-3600
- Email: sasimakis@houston.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/greaterhoustonpartnership
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ghpartnership
- Other: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/2696932/profile
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