TESTIMONIALS

Spiritual ethnography is only as profound as the generosity of those who support these studies, and those who participate in the interview process. Each extend curiosity, reflection, compassion, and honesty. 

“Susana has the rare capacity to sit and to listen, at multiple levels, to the story unfolding within the stated narrative and, most profoundly, in the spaces in between.  She engages the soul of an individual or an organization without reducing the suffering or the stated problems to the known dilemma or washing over them in an effort toward an all-too-quick fix.  Susana is able to see what is not yet visible but that which is coming into being within the individual or organization with whom she is consulting and holds this prospective view throughout her work.  Whether working on a short term consulting project for an agency or sitting one-on-one with a client, Susana’s generosity of spirit and dedication to the process of meaning-making are vital and yet difficult to find gifts in our epoch.”

Tiffany Houck-Loomis, Ph.D., Jungian Analyst

“Susana’s style and understanding of the human spirit allows and encourages the personal growth of both her clients and her participants. She has an inherent capacity to precisely weave the different threads of people’s experiences, opinions, and expressions into a larger narrative, esteeming those who share their time for research and dialogue, and enhancing client understanding of essential attitudes, experiences, and of their target populations. She adeptly incorporates her training as a chaplain into her research and interviews, creating a space of respect and genuine care for people to share honestly. I strongly recommend Susana as a trusted collaborator for any foundation seeking to help the organizations they fund, and to better understand the populations they serve.”

Robert E. Fondren, Trustee, The Fondren Foundation

“I highly recommend Susana, and wish all organizations had the kind of support she brings. Susana works with teams across the organization by creating meaningful circles for sharing and spiritual support, and in one case she was asked by a family support team leader to conduct a combined ethnography and spiritual care process as a way to help the team work through relationship dynamics and heal. This was a breakthrough experience for this “on the front lines” team. She understands our culture and cares deeply about our people and mission; she is truly available when we need to call on her. She is a trusted-friend.”

Kevin A. Myer, MSHA, President & Chief Executive Officer, LifeGift Organ Donation

“Susana can create a space and ask questions that connect people with their truths, often delving into inner lives, searching for shared stories and understanding. When I hope to reach people with compelling creative that quiets the noise and reflects back the lives of real people, I call Susana. I like the way she thinks. Not only has Susana’s creativity added tremendous value to our agency and our clients, I find it has invigorated and inspired all sorts of new ideas for me when we work together. She has an extraordinary talent when interviewing — people open up to her in a different way, they share really deeply, honestly. Two video campaigns my agency created used Susana’s findings to truly capture the struggles, stories and inspirations found in the lives of women and the working poor. Voice and tone were informed by the way she approached these depth-inquiries and the caring she holds for the populations she engages. Susana’s process is thoughtful and methodical, and she has a firm understanding of what it takes to deliver compelling work. She’s also wicked smart and a fascinating person, to boot.”

Shannon Langrand, CEO, Langrand

“Susana is an unsurpassed ethnographer.  She combines her experience as a chaplain with her sharp analytical mind and brings her whole self to every interaction, giving her a unique ability to connect with people on a very deep emotional level.  Anyone can ask questions, but to be able to truly connect with someone, to gain their trust and draw out their full experiences in a safe setting, is a talent few possess.  I was fortunate to work with Susana on an in-depth research study of how underserved populations view health and health care.  Susana and I designed questions as a framework for her to begin her conversations, but we left room for her to run the interviews organically as she conducted them.  The results were truly groundbreaking insights that redefined how health care companies communicate with these underserved members of our community.  Without her focus, her attention to detail, and her ability to reach her interview subjects on a deeper level, we never would have understood the best way to reach an entire population of people who are routinely overlooked in our society.”

Kendra Pecci, Operations Director, Langrand

“I’ve called on Susana to manage projects and moderate, in the U.S. and overseas, during my work at some of the world’s leading communications consultancies. She’s taught me early on the value of not listening for a soundbite in a focus group, but to keep your ears open to the full repertoire of people’s stories and experiences. Whether it’s been with global business executives, shy teenagers or aggrieved voters, I’ve seen Susana’s ability to put all types of people at ease, build rapport in the room, and to pick up the most subtle of cues from participants. She is not only an exceptional moderator, but also an incisive writer and analyst – with the ability to cut through the noise and land on what truly matters, and how to pinpoint how an organization can best act on what she’s heard. I highly recommend Susana to any organization or endeavor seeking a greater understanding of themselves or their audiences.” 

Graeme Trayner, Managing Director of Insight, The Glover Park Group

“Susana skillfully integrates research, psychology and spirituality, and as such, steps beyond the conventional, as a true explorer of the human heart. At Galileo, we use psychological techniques to delve into the subconscious mind, and only work with moderators who have tremendous emotional sensitivity and a nuanced appreciation of the complexity of the human psyche. Susana embraced our company ethos, and approached our projects with passion, diligence, and a commitment to true collaboration. Working with us, she was able to unearth the deeper truths beneath layers of dialogue and conscious rationale, in order to identify potent insights for our clients, and translate these into compelling stories about the human spirit. Susana engages each individual with reverence. By honoring their courage and generosity, she creates the space for participants to share their experience in an authentic and unguarded way, and to emerge feeling better than when they arrived.”

Cathy Lennox & Dr. Sarah Fitzharding, Co-Founders & Co-Presidents, Galileo Research & Strategy Consultancy

“Susana has the ability to accompany and comfort people in times of struggle, suffering or transition, and has a genuine reverence for human beings and their experience. She has a deeply compassionate and genuine way of engaging people, visible both in her work as a chaplain and ethnographer. I highly recommend Susana to any organization or endeavor. Susana’s work is outstanding, and she is one of the most creative and productive people I have worked with throughout my career. Susana achieved great things for the Institute for Spirituality & Health (ISH), from launching ethnography to establishing a workplace chaplaincy program to creating a podcast. She increased national and local knowledge of our organization through these efforts, alongside published articles, community-based artwork, speaking and teaching invitations, and partnerships. And her writing is beautiful; Susana synthesizes the depth and complexity of personal stories in a way that resonates emotionally and spiritually, whether it’s in a formal report, proposal, or mainstream article. Susana has visionary ideas, and fully commits herself to making them happen.”

John Graham, MD, D.Min, President & CEO, The Institute for Spirituality & Health (ISH)

“Susana ranks among the very best interviewers I have known in my transnational research both in the United States and Latin America. Her ability to access hard-to-reach populations, her sensitivity to cultural differences, and her sheer enthusiasm towards hard work are unmatched in my research experience.”

Jacqueline Hagan Ph.D., Sociology Faculty, University of North Carolina

“Having attended hundreds of focus groups and watched moderators ranging from low key to indifferent to terrorist, I believe Susana McCollom would have to be among the very best there is. She is curious, sensitive, perceptive, and strategic, and best of all, approachable as a human being. It's hard to imagine anyone not opening up to Susana, not happily sharing his or her deepest convictions. She's an excellent writer, too, brilliantly able to communicate her findings.”

Camille McMennamin, Senior VP, JWT

“Susana's value lies in her uncanny skill at synthesizing points of view. She has a rare ability to sift through the noise and surface the signal in any conversation, and is an asset to any exploration or business development endeavor.”

Margie Beaudry, Communications Director, Ripple Effect Communications

“Susana's research talent stands out – her ability to quickly master new subjects, cultivate a sense of comfort among respondents alongside sharp investigation, and deliver insightful analysis with crisp writing. Clients will feel the confidence to act on her in-depth, reliable findings.”

Stan Greenberg, Ph.D., Founding Partner, Greenberg Quinlan Research (GQR)

“It's rare that you find a moderator with the sensitivity to handle the most delicate subjects and the strength to compassionately work with a wide range of diverse groups. Susana McCollom is that rare commodity–a moderator whose skills and natural warmth coax out honesty from even the most difficult subjects.”

Bob Boorstin, Former Vice President, GQRR

“Susana was a lead trainer for NDI/Morocco to help us set up a focus group center in Morocco. Her training on guideline development, moderation techniques and reporting was superlative. She is a hands-on person, always striving to make sure that the people that she trains get the most out of every interaction. I was very impressed by her professionalism and hope to work with her again in the very near future.”

Maryam Montague, Former Regional Director, National Democratic Institute

“Susana does first-rate field interviews. I employed her to conduct in-depth interviews on a series of tough questions about racial views. She came through with flying colors and delivered careful probing and thorough interviews, which I have used for a major book on racial issues.”

Joe Feagin, PhD, Sociology Faculty, Texas A&M University & Former President, American Sociological Association

“Susana is keenly interested in the role of faith and spirituality in people's lives and has exceptional skills in helping them reflect on those issues.”

Rev. Martin Day, St. Benedict Parish, Terre Haute, Former Provincial, OFM 

“Susana es con mucho una persona excepcional en lo que se refiere al trato personal y psicologia humana, usando estas armas es capaz de llegar mas allá sobre aspectos de la conducta y la personalidad de las personas que le rodean o a las que estudia, y capta sensaciones y sentimientos aparentemente ocultos que conducen a analizar desde una perspectiva mas profunda y distinta la esencia de las personas. Resumiendo: Susana tiene un don especial para las Relaciones Humanas y es una persona muy entrañable y cautivadora, cuando la conoces realmente y trabajas a fondo con ella, te das cuenta del elevado grado de solidaridad y generosida que derrocha con el prójimo.”

Jaime Cadahia Bielza, Manager, Global PLV

“Susana’s innate curiosity about so many aspects of life, combined with a sincere interest in individuals, adds significantly to her accomplishments as a researcher.”

Ros Brannigan (in loving memory), Vice President, Drug Strategies