who
Author, lecturer, researcher, early education consultant, mother/grandmother, community volunteer for nonprofits.
honors
Women of Achievement, Women of Worth, American Graduate Champion, Love of Children Award recipient from University City Children’s Center.
why mentor?
'It's a responsibility and privilege to mentor individuals through guidance, support, information and camaraderie. Through relationships, both mentors and mentees grow professionally and personally.'
Children's advocate and Ladue resident Suzie Nall is quick to share convincing points about the value received by communities from youth-related volunteers and mentors. After all, she spent the past 40 years supporting teachers to help youths reach their human potential.
Now in her self-professed "personal renaissance" lifestage as a retired Southern Illinois University Edwardsville professor and Early Childhood Education program director, she's still on a mission of demonstrating how each person can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Suzie has a busy tutoring schedule. "I'm lucky to have an encore career," says the international consultant.
"I've observed how the strength of our community, to a large extent, is based on volunteerism that empowers individuals and enhances agencies and organizations. The future of volunteerism, and the livelihood of our community, rests in our ability to engage youth at multiple levels in the process of volunteerism," she says.
She also serves on the board of directors of Ready Readers, SIUE Foundation Board, Metro Theatre, Maryville University's Women's Leadership Council and YWCA of Metro St. Louis. She supports local arts and service-oriented organizations, too.
Each month, Suzie volunteers at the USO at Lambert Airport, serving food, checking luggage and extending hospitality and services to the military personnel passing through town.
While it's been more challenging to determine how to volunteer for local nonprofits in this pandemic-laden environment, Suzie says it's still vital to contact agencies to ascertain their needs and see if there's a match. "Some volunteer jobs are one-and-done while others are ongoing," she reminds.