Suzie Ridgway
Freelance Writer
Volunteer, Marketing Committee

This month we are recognizing Suzie Ridgway, a volunteer who serves on the marketing committee.

"The teamwork and enthusiasm I experienced from the ASTD Cascadia members was unbelievable at every stage. From planning to editing to the finished project, everyone was so well organized, immensely helpful, profoundly positive and incredibly professional."

As a freelance writer, Suzie works with several regional publications, including the Portland Tribune, Brainstorm NW Magazine, MD News Magazine, the Lake Oswego Review and the Beaverton Valley Times. She is also the lifestyles writer for a technological Web site, Digital Trends. Her previous marketing work includes materials development for Earthlink Internet Services, NewsTalk 860 KPAM and non-profit, Keep California Beautiful.

Suzie was interested in balancing her successful freelance career with an opportunity to give back to the community. “I heard about the Cascadia Chapter via the Yellow Pages. I wanted to volunteer my writing services for a worthy non-profit organization and I found the perfect one at just the right time,” she explains. In just a few short months, Suzie has made a tremendous contribution to the chapter’s marketing efforts. She created the zesty Top Ten List of reasons why members should attend the Northwest ASTD Leadership Conference. "Suzie brought her creativity to life when she developed the Top 10 reasons to attended NWALC,” Theme Grenz, President Elect, shares. Additionally, Suzie helped create a postcard, flyer, web content and e-mail text for the Catherine Mattiske workshop, to be held on May 23.

“The women I had the opportunity to work with, Liza Greene, Susan Parsons, Sheryl Alstrin, Kathleen Bergquist and Jennifer Keller, were incredibly helpful, insightful and enthusiastic. Their combined talents, work ethic and encouragement made the projects enjoyable and the materials effective.” The appreciation appears to be mutual. "Wow - does she make things happen!” proclaims the chapter’s president, Sheryl Alstrin. “Suzie has only recently become involved with our ASTD Chapter and already she's made a big impact. Her expertise in marketing has been well tapped into with assistance on both our chapter's upcoming Leadership Conference and our upcoming big event later this month with Catherine Mattiske. Suzie's professionalism, energy and enthusiasm have all been greatly appreciated by the board and the chapter as a whole."

Suzie’s favorite quote portrays the passion for life: “One day your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it's worth watching.” When Suzie is not writing, she enjoys hiking in the great outdoors, traveling to distant lands, cooking challenging dishes and reading everything she can get her hands on. She and her husband just closed on our first house in Portland in April and are expecting their first baby in August. Congratulations Suzie!

You may contact Suzie at suzie@suzieridgway.com or www.suzieridgway.com.

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