As founder of the Starfish Leadership Awards, I was privileged to honor Suzanne Stewart Pohlman of Interfaith Community Services with the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chamber's Brilliance in Business gala event on March 4. Suzanne, an influential and inspirational leader and a founder of the organization, is retiring in August after 29 years at the helm.
Suzanne is an incredible force of nature who has made an immeasurable impact in the communities across North County. As Interfaith's Founding Executive Director, she led the growth of a small Escondido food pantry into a comprehensive social services agency serving over 35,000 persons annually. Inspired by her vision and leadership, more than 100 staff and 5,000 volunteers from over 400 diverse faith centers plus civic groups, private foundations, and businesses pool their talents and resources to help our neighbors in need. The organization has served as a model for others from around the country that aspire to provide the breadth of services that Interfaith offers.
Interfaith provides services throughout North County, including 17 housing programs serving 400 persons in Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido who would otherwise be homeless. All Interfaith programs, whether they serve homeless, low-income or disabled individuals, families, veterans, seniors, at-risk youth, or persons struggling with addiction, focus on building self-reliance through skills development, job training and placement. Interfaith's fundamental purpose is to help people help themselves.
Interfaith has served as a not-for-profit incubator, helping emerging organizations develop the capacity to grow and succeed. Suzanne also founded the Alliance for Regional Solutions, a coalition of nine municipalities, the County of San Diego, United Way, private funders and 43 not-for-profit organizations, all working together toward lasting regional solutions to poverty and hunger.
Rebuilding lives is achieved one life at a time, and Suzanne has always known the magic of holding one starfish in her hands. Her passion for helping people realize their own potential has endeared her to thousands who have participated in Interfaith's programs over the years.
As honoree, Suzanne received the 10-inch bronze sculpture titled “Starfish, Joyful in Giving,” created by Lynn Forbes, and a contribution to Interfaith Community Services.
For more information on the Starfish Leadership Awards and Scholarship Program, please contact me at 760-918-9361 or [email protected].
Special Thanks to the growing number of 2011 Underwriters for the Starfish Leadership Awards and Scholarship Program (as of 3/1/2011):
Datron World Communications, Inc.
The Leichtag Family Foundation
McBride Financial Advisory
Life Technologies, Inc.
Animal House Pet Care
Jim Comstock and Tracie Avis
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
John and Leslie Lechleiter
Carlton and Sandy Lund, The Lund Team Real Estate
Lynn Forbes School of Sculpture
Carmen Rene
Jeffrey R. Stoke, Procopio
Sylvan Learning Center, Encinitas
ViaSat, Inc.
Knox and June Williams
Suzanne is an incredible force of nature who has made an immeasurable impact in the communities across North County. As Interfaith's Founding Executive Director, she led the growth of a small Escondido food pantry into a comprehensive social services agency serving over 35,000 persons annually. Inspired by her vision and leadership, more than 100 staff and 5,000 volunteers from over 400 diverse faith centers plus civic groups, private foundations, and businesses pool their talents and resources to help our neighbors in need. The organization has served as a model for others from around the country that aspire to provide the breadth of services that Interfaith offers.
Interfaith provides services throughout North County, including 17 housing programs serving 400 persons in Oceanside, San Marcos and Escondido who would otherwise be homeless. All Interfaith programs, whether they serve homeless, low-income or disabled individuals, families, veterans, seniors, at-risk youth, or persons struggling with addiction, focus on building self-reliance through skills development, job training and placement. Interfaith's fundamental purpose is to help people help themselves.
Interfaith has served as a not-for-profit incubator, helping emerging organizations develop the capacity to grow and succeed. Suzanne also founded the Alliance for Regional Solutions, a coalition of nine municipalities, the County of San Diego, United Way, private funders and 43 not-for-profit organizations, all working together toward lasting regional solutions to poverty and hunger.
Rebuilding lives is achieved one life at a time, and Suzanne has always known the magic of holding one starfish in her hands. Her passion for helping people realize their own potential has endeared her to thousands who have participated in Interfaith's programs over the years.
As honoree, Suzanne received the 10-inch bronze sculpture titled “Starfish, Joyful in Giving,” created by Lynn Forbes, and a contribution to Interfaith Community Services.
For more information on the Starfish Leadership Awards and Scholarship Program, please contact me at 760-918-9361 or [email protected].
Special Thanks to the growing number of 2011 Underwriters for the Starfish Leadership Awards and Scholarship Program (as of 3/1/2011):
Datron World Communications, Inc.
The Leichtag Family Foundation
McBride Financial Advisory
Life Technologies, Inc.
Animal House Pet Care
Jim Comstock and Tracie Avis
The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch
John and Leslie Lechleiter
Carlton and Sandy Lund, The Lund Team Real Estate
Lynn Forbes School of Sculpture
Carmen Rene
Jeffrey R. Stoke, Procopio
Sylvan Learning Center, Encinitas
ViaSat, Inc.
Knox and June Williams