We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Suzanne Forte. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Suzanne below.
Suzanne, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience is built on the foundation of my childhood, the unwavering love of my grandmother, and the power of writing. Like Langston Hughes’ poem Mother to Son, my journey has not been a crystal stair. I’ve faced and overcome significant challenges, defying the odds and breaking the cycle of adversity, including growing up with an incarcerated parent. As the first in my immediate family to attend college, I am proud to have carved a different path—one dedicated to storytelling, amplifying voices, and driving meaningful change.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m passionate about elevating all voices and building brands that connect businesses with the communities they serve. At Comcast, I’ve had the privilege of leading initiatives that amplify voices and build stronger, more meaningful relationships. The creation of the Champions of Change program is one of the ways we’ve honored the incredible partnership between Comcast and storytellers, using it as an opportunity to say thank you to those who make such an impact in our communities.
What excites me the most about my work is this year’s focus on boldness—finding new and innovative ways to connect with our customers and enhance the experience we provide. Through storytelling and meaningful collaborations, we’re not just telling stories, we’re inspiring action and driving change.
As we move forward, I’m focused on continuing to empower others and bringing forward ideas that help us reach new heights. We’ve got some exciting things lined up, from events that highlight our commitment to impact to new initiatives aimed at deepening our connection with customers. This year is all about innovation, bold moves, and working together to shape a better future.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are continuous learning, creativity, and the ability to build meaningful connections. I’ve always had a deep desire to learn—whether through experiences, working alongside talented colleagues, or seeking out new knowledge. Creativity plays a huge role in my work, allowing me to think outside the box and find innovative ways to connect with audiences. But none of this would be possible without the support and collaboration of others, so I’m incredibly thankful for all the connections I’ve made along the way.
For those just starting their journey, my advice is simple: dig in and do your best. Don’t be afraid to put it all out there. Make genuine connections and friendships. Take the time to really understand your craft and have the hunger to improve. It’s okay to fail—embrace it and learn from it. And most importantly, believe in yourself. You are capable of amazing things if you stay committed and keep pushing forward.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m currently focused on pursuing so many dreams in the creative space and public relations, and I would love to connect with creatives, thought leaders, agencies, writers—really anyone who’s inspired and passionate about making a difference. Collaboration is at the heart of everything I do, and I’m always open to working with others who share that drive for innovation and impact.
In addition to my work in public relations, I am deeply passionate about creating a nationwide summer math program. This initiative was inspired by my experience helping my son with his math homework. Despite my efforts, I struggled to provide him with the support he needed. While I eventually found tutors, I realized that many other families face the same challenges and lack the resources to get help. This realization led me to create Malcolm’s Marietta Summer Math Challenge in 2016, a free program aimed at making math fun, accessible, and impactful for all students. I brought this idea to life with the help of my winnings from the McDonald’s 365 HerStory competition. In 2021, I partnered with Cobb County District 2 Commissioner Jerica Richardson to organize Cobb County’s first-ever free summer math challenge for K-8 students. I dream of seeing a nationwide summer math challenge similar to the reading challenges celebrated each year in public libraries and schools.
If you’re interested in partnering or collaborating, please reach out! I’m excited to connect and explore the possibilities.
Contact Info:
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzanneforte
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
