About Susan McDowell
Executive Director - _LifeWorks

Susan McDowell is Executive Director of LifeWorks, a youth and family service organization in Austin, Texas that provides a seamless continuum of support for youth and families facing issues such as homelessness, abuse, poverty, emancipation from foster care, and mental health challenges. Susan is active in numerous civic organizations and regional health and human service planning initiatives. She currently serves on the Board  for the Children’s Optimal Health Coalition. She has served on the Boards of the Women’s Giving Network of United Way Capital Area, the  Community Action Network, One Voice Central Texas, the Young Leader’s Society of United Way Capital Area and Leadership Austin. Susan has been awarded “Austinite (Under 40) of the Year” by the Young Men’s Business League and Young Women’s Alliance and “Central Texas Social Entrepreneur of the Year,” by Ernst and Young. She participated in the 2007 Marshall Memorial Fellowship Program and was named "Best Community Visionary" by the Austin Chronicle in 2008.  Susan holds a B.A. and M.A. in Philosophy from Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas-Austin, respectively.

What was the 'aha' moment that got you started in your career?
My "aha" moment came when I was a literacy volunteer in graduate school. I had been tracking to an academic career, but all of a sudden I realized that I could work concretely towards the ideals that I'd been studying and actually get something done!
What are the key things that you would counsel someone coming into the workforce?
Continually invest in your personal and professional development, and follow your gut. Opportunity is everywhere, and usually takes you by surprise. Be ready for it.
What is the most rewarding thing about working in public/social service?
Being surrounded by hope and resiliency.
What is the one thing you want to tell the Austin community about your organization?
It is difficult to describe the commitment and tenacity of the LifeWorks culture. We literally start where others give up, and we are effective. We are also ruthlessly dedicated to quality and measuring our results - learning equally from our successes and challenges.
Describe your utopian Austin; what would be different than today?
In a utopian Austin, all community members have equal access to opportunity. The distinct disparities we currently see in educational attainment, health and wealth are a thing of the past.
When you were 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I alternated between Doctors without Borders and Prima Ballerina for the American Ballet Theater.
How long have you lived in Austin? What brought you here?
I moved here from Nashville 20 years ago to go to graduate school in Philosophy. People laugh at that, but I'm very serious when I say that I use it every single day.
What is your favorite guilty pleasure?
High quality, cheap pedicures.
What gadget can't you live without?
When I tell my son to put away his iPod Touch, he informs me that I have OWD (Obsessive Work Disorder) and that I should put down my phone.
What is your favorite Austin dining, entertainment or outdoor experience?
Running the Hike and Bike Trail and swimming in Barton Springs with my sister before the sun comes up. It is a very peaceful way to experience Austin.