United in Conversation

Susan Schlossberg enjoys encouraging others to succeed. She started her career in the retail sales and store management before migrating into Human Resources field.  Her first awareness of the United Way came while she was employed at JCPenney, where she coordinated her first United Way workplace campaign.  Susan then worked in Human Resources for over 30 years; first, in the manufacturing and pharmaceutical industries, later, in municipal government. During that time, Susan focused on benefits management, compensation, retirement plan administration and recruiting. Her favorite job responsibilities included the development of creative orientation programs welcoming employees to their new job, as well as the initiation and administration of health and financial literacy wellness programs. Susan learned early that helping employees succeed and providing a welcoming work environment is critical to the success of any organization.  Remember – people don’t just quit jobs, they also quit bosses!

Receiving her BSBA degree with a marketing focus from Shippensburg University, and her MBA from Frostburg State University, Susan also earned her Certified Benefits and Compensation Professional certifications from World at Work as well as her designation from Chapman Institute as a Certified Wellness Program Manager. Susan was also an active member of SHRM and WELCOA.

Susan’s plan to work until she turned 65 and then retire to Florida changed when her husband wanted to spend more time in Florida, so she decided to retire early in late 2018. Blessed with the opportunity to devote her full-time attention to pursue her goal of volunteering in both her old and new communities, Susan embarked on those undertakings only to be confronted with the reality of the COVID Pandemic which limited her ability to learn about her new community.  Although hampered by Pandemic restrictions, Susan began to volunteer for the United Way in Maryland serving on the Community Impact committee and continued as a member of the Healthy Washington County MD initiative, attending meetings by Zoom.

Learning that many similarities exist between her two communities in Maryland and Florida, she has now transitioned to volunteering in our St. Lucie community, serving as a SHINE (Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Elders) Medicare counselor for almost 3 years - participating in local Senior and Agency fairs as well as making presentations on Medicare-related topics in the community. She recently became a member of the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Council that serves five Counties (Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee). She is enjoying opportunities to volunteer at the United Way, United Against Poverty in Ft. Pierce and Cleveland Clinic in Indian River. Susan plans to continue to work on outreach to businesses and community groups to provide information about the services that our many local Agencies offer to help employees and residents.

Oliver Wendell Holmes said: Most of us go to our grave with our music still inside of us – unplayed.
Susan is thankful to have the opportunity to volunteer in our community to bring people together to help our neighbors achieve stability and thrive.