A group of 30 young leaders, ranging in age from 25 to 39, visited the newspaper last month as part of SouthCoast Emerging Leaders, an annual awards program recognizing the region’s future leaders. 

Suzanne M. Ramos - 37, Diman Business Technology Instructor; Director of Programs and Administration at United Neighbors of Fall River; Media Coordinator is for Greater Fall River RE-CREATION; Media Coordinator for Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community

Career Achievements: I have educated, trained and coached hundreds of youth who have grown to become wonderful individuals who are productive members of society. They are certified public accountants, administrative assistants, nurses, webmasters, project managers, human resource directors, educators, and the list goes on. Moreover, what is most rewarding is that graduates contact me almost on a weekly basis to share their excitement in their success with me, to ask for advice and to thank me for the small role I played in their lives.

I have received three degrees: associates in Business Administration from Bristol Community College and was the class valedictorian, a bachelor’s in Business Information Systems, achieving the highest GPA for transfer students and a Masters in Curriculum and Teaching with a 4.0 GPA. I am a recipient of the Massachusetts Unsung Heroine Award. This award is to recognize women who do not always make the news, but truly make the difference.

Community Engagement: I am involved or have organized community service projects, where I have students volunteer. Some initiatives include: Serve on the Diman Bengal Education Foundation Board and on the Fundraising Committee; chairperson of the Diman Hall of Fame Committee; Leadership Team Member for SkillsUSA Massachusetts; Spearheaded two benefit walks for Dana Farber at the high school with the junior class that raised over $10,000; Organized a Relay for Life team called Claw Out Cancer that planned a number of fundraising events and donated over $11,000 to the cause.; Have provided professional services in technical and design support to several non-profit agencies throughout my career; Served on boards and committees including BOLD Events Planning Co-Chairperson, Greater New Bedford Youth Advocacy Empowerment, Greater New Bedford COAST, New Bedford Annual Youth Summit Planning Committee, and Brockton’s Promise.

See the whole list here.