By Kamali Brooks
SPECIAL TO THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN
Susan “Sam” Collier Buchenau of El Cajon, Calif., is serving a one-year term as president of the board of directors for Soroptimist, a global volunteer organization of women who work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
By Kamali Brooks
SPECIAL TO THE EAST COUNTY CALIFORNIAN
Susan “Sam” Collier Buchenau of El Cajon, Calif., is serving a one-year term as president of the board of directors for Soroptimist, a global volunteer organization of women who work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment.
As president, Buchenau oversees strategic planning and program development for the organization. She will also lead Soroptimists efforts to increase its collective impact in helping women and girls around the world to lead better lives.
Buchenau is a member of Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro, one of 1,300 Soroptimist International of the Americas clubs that empower women and girls through volunteer projects in local communities. A member since 1981, Buchenau has held several leadership positions, including Fundraising Council Chair; region governor; district director and secretary; and club president and vice president.
“Nearly 100 years after SIA was founded, the needs of women and girls are still immense. They continue to be underserved throughout the world,” Buchenau said. “My Soroptimist membership has provided me with opportunities to assist women who live in my community, and to have a hand in helping women who live on the other side of the globe.
“The women of the world are counting on Soroptimist. As president I am honored to serve an organization with such an important and vital mission.”
Buchenau most recently served as the vice president of asset management for Strategic Property Advisers, Inc. She attended San Diego State University, where she studied American literature. In addition to her Soroptimist activities, Buchenau is an active member of the United Church of Christ La Mesa.
Headquartered in Philadelphia, Pa., Soroptimist (Soroptimist.org) improves the lives of women and girls through the work of volunteers in 20 countries and territories. Its Soroptimist Dream Programs ensure women and girls have access to the education and training they need to reach their full potential and live their dreams. This includes the Live Your Dream: Education and Training Awards for Women, which provides cash grants for head-of-household women seeking to improve their lives with the help of education or training. About $30 million has been disbursed to tens of thousands of women since the program began in 1972. Dream It, Be It: Career Support for Girls provides girls with tangible strategies to accomplish their career goals. A 501(c)(3) organization that relies on charitable donations to support its programs, Soroptimist also powers LiveYourDream.org—an online community with more than 60,000 supporters who support women and girls through volunteer action.
