25241 Chatworth Drive Phone: 216-383-9943; Cleveland , OH 44117-1837 Fax: 216-383-9953
www.marriagetransformation.com E-mail: Susanne@marriagetransformation.com; www.smalexander.com
CURRENT POSITION
President of Marriage Transformation LLC, a global project commit ted to character-based personal development and relationship and marriage knowledge and skill building for people at all stages of relationships and in all aspects of their lives.
• Relationship, Marriage, and Character Coach
Author:
• Happy at Home, Happy at Work: The Powerful Rewards of Building Character
• Happiness – A Child's Character-Development Book
• A Perfectly Funny Marriage, A Humorous View of Creating a Successful Marriage (cartoon book)
• A Child's Bahá'í Identity Book
• What is Marriage Education?
• Don't Spit on the Flowers! Great Ways for Young Adults to Care for Their Relationships (booklet; 2005)
• What's Character Got to Do with It? Enhancing Sexual Intimacy in Your Marriage (booklet; M arriage Transformation, 2004)
Co-Author:
• Solving the Commitment Struggle! (eBook)
• Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts! Three Editions (Marriage Transformation; 2003, 2007)
• Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship (Marriage Transformation, 2006)
• Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage , Second Edition (Marriage Transformation, 2005) [Note: Spanish edition due out in 2007]
• Both Eyes Open™: A Spiritually-Based Facilitator's Guide to Marriage Can Be Forever—Preparation Counts! ( Marriage Transformation, 2005)
• Pure Gold: Encouraging Character Qualities in Marriage , First Edition ( Marriage Transformation, 2004)
• College & Career Success Simplified (Pearson Education, 2004)
Advisor/Newsletter Writer: Better Together (formerly Cleveland Marriage Coalition); 2003-2006
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND/CERTIFICATIONS
• B.A., Communications, Baldwin-Wallace College , Berea , Ohio , 1996
• Gradua ted Cum Laude, member of Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society; Courses included: Journalism, Creative Writing, Business and Professional Speaking, Business Communications
• Ten Basics Married Couples Should Know About Sexuality (James E. Sheridan, presenter), May 12, 2007
• FranklinCovey Facilitator Training, The 8 Habits of a Successful Marriage , Smart Marriages Conference, 2005
• PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) Instructor Training , Smart Marriages Conference, 2004
• Coalition for Marriage, Family and Couples Education Conference , 2004-2006
• PREPARE/ENRICH Mentor Couple Training , 2004;
• PREPARE/ENRICH Counselor Certification Training , 2003
• Landmark Education Courses: Forum, Advanced Course, Self-Expression & Leadership, Introduction Leaders Program, Communication: Access to Power, Communication: Performance & Power, Creativity Seminar, Excellence Seminar, Effectiveness Seminar, Velocity Seminar, Money Seminar, Living Passionately Seminar, Relationship Seminar, Breakthroughs: Living Outside the Box Seminar; Coach for Self-Expression and Leadership; Living Passionately; 1998-2006
• Honest Conversations Training , Euclid Community Concerns, 2001
• Journalism Fellowship , Case Western Reserve University , Welfare Reform, 2001
• Journalism Leadership Training , Society of Professional Journalists, Indianapolis , Indiana , 2001
• Mini-Internship , Community-Medical Partnering, Academy of Medicine-Cleveland , 2000
• Leadership , American Society of Training and Development, 1998
• Creative Alternatives in Presentations , J. P. Horizons, 1998
• Children's Class Teacher Training , Louhelen Bahá'í School, 1998
• Handling Customer Complaints , BP Chemicals Company, 1997
• Handling Meeting Interrupters , BP Chemicals Company, 1997
• Beginning Photography , Polaris Career Center , 1996
• Empowering Diversity , BP Oil Company, 1996
• Hazardous Waste Operations/Fire Training , BP Oil Company, 1995-1996
• Front-Line Management , BP Oil Company, 1991
• People Skills for Supervisors , BP America, 1991
• Leadership and Influence , BP America, 1989
• Negotiating Skills & Strategies , BP America, 1988
• Management Skills for Professionals , BP America, 1988
• Decision Making , BP America, 1988
• Registered Nurse Training , Ottawa Civic Hospital , Ontario (1 year comple ted ), 1974
PRESENTATIONS (1998-2008)
Relationship Topics
• “Marriage Transformation” workshop for engaged and married couples, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, June 2008; 16 participants
• “Pure Gold Marriage” workshop, Green Acre Bahá'í School, Eliot , Maine , April 2007; 18 participants
• “Thank you and Craig for a wonderful weekend--so nurturing for our marriage. It was truly life transforming! Absolutely an answer to our prayers. The work you are doing is so valuable and needed.”
• “Character in Marriage” Keynote Presentation, Dasi-Ziyad Family Institute Marriage Educator graduation ceremony, April 2007
• “Tone of Voice Speaks Louder Than Words,” FOX TV 8, Cleveland , January 2007
• “Pure Gold Marriage” workshop, Bosch Bahá'í School, Santa Cruz , California , November 2006; 25 participants
• “Pure Gold Marriage” workshop and “Can We Dance? Learning the Steps for a Fulfilling Relationship” workshop, Maxwell International Bahá'í School, Vancouver Island , Canada , August 2006; 20 participants each
• “What's Character Got To Do With It?, Rotary Club - Beachwood , Ohio , presentation, July 2006; 25 participants
• “What's Character Got To Do With It? Relationships and Character” workshop, Smart Marriages Conference, Atlanta , Georgia , June 2006; 50 participants
• “Pure Gold Marriage” workshop, Green Acre Bahá'í School, Eliot , Maine , February 2006; 20 participants
• “Pure Gold Marriage” workshop, Bosch Bahá'í School, Santa Cruz , California , November 2005
• Relationships and Marriage: Zhuhai , China ; and Hong Kong ; October 2005
• “What is Marriage Education?” and “Pure Gold Marriage” workshops; Washtenaw County , Michigan Bahá'í Centre; September 2005; 30 participants
• “Experience and expertise in subject matter was evident…”
• “Both Eyes Open: The Adventure of Relationships” singles workshop; University of Michigan , Ann Arbor , Michigan ; September 2005; 30 participants
• “Great workshop! Very useful. Inclusion of the arts was very effective.”
• “What is Marriage Education?” “Pure Gold Marriage” and “Both Eyes Open” workshops; St. Paul's University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; April 2005; trained 4 facilitators concurrently with session; 40 participants
• “What is Marriage Education” and “Couples Communication Facilitator Training”; New York City Bahá'í Faith community, April 2005; 10 participants
• “Pure Gold Marriage” interfaith workshop, Green Acre Bahá'í School, Eliot , Maine , February 2005; 20 participants
• Keynote address on Marriage and Divorce issues; Grand Canyon Bahá'í Conference, Phoenix , Arizona ; December 2004; 1500 participants
• Pre-marriage and marriage topics; Grand Canyon Bahá'í Conference, Phoenix , Arizona ; December 2004; 4 workshops with 200 participants each
• “Pure Gold Marriage” and “The Marriage Transformation Project”; Bahá'í Social and Economic Development Conference, December 2004; 150 participants
• “Marriage Can Be Forever” 1-hour teleconference presentation and Q&A; Bahá'í-Faith sponsored; September 2004
• “Both Eyes Open: The Adventure of Relationships” marriage preparation 5-day session; Bosch Bahá'í School, Santa Cruz , California ; August 2004; 20 participants
• “Our experience with Craig and Susanne was great. I think they are brilliant, and the reviews for the course were incredible. They do a fantastic job.” Program Director
• “I liked the circled gathering with practiced and skilled facilitation and coaching, the gradual pacing, and the consultation and openness.”
• Celebration of Marriage Banquet Honoring Segment; Smart Marriage Conference, Dallas , Texas ; July 2004; 2000 participants
• “Both Eyes Open: The Adventure of Relationships” marriage preparation weekend; Atlanta , Georgia ; Bahá'í Faith-sponsored; May 2004; trained 3 facilitators concurrently with session; 20 participants
• “The information you have put together is great, your leadership kept us on target and moving forward, and the participants were wonderful.”
• “It's impossible to cover the topics in a lifetime (!), but this workshop was extremely well put together. The facilitators guided the group patiently and lovingly.”
• Marriage Preparation Presentation & Book Signing; Joseph Beth Bookstore, Cleveland , Ohio ; May 2004
• Provided curriculum content and facilitator coaching for Bahá'í Young Adult Conference workshop session, “Are You Ready for Marriage”; Toronto , Ontario ; May 2004
• Provided curriculum content and facilitator coaching for Bahá'í Young Adult Conference workshop sessions, “Both Eyes Open: Exploring Love, Friendship, and Relationships”, and “Creating a Lasting marriage: Skill Building for Young Couples”; Davison , Michigan ; April 2004
• Provided curriculum content and facilitator coaching for “The Adventure of Marriage” Workshop; sponsored by the Bahá'í Faith; Norfolk , Virginia ; April 2004
• “The Adventure of Marriage” 1-day workshop for 40 interfaith single and married participants; sponsored by Bahá'í Faith; Toronto , Ontario , Canada ; February 2004; trained 3 facilitators concurrently with session; 40 participants
• It was valuable to: “learn the character qualities”, “from other's experiences, ideas, and solutions”, “what men and women think of each other”, “have quality content”, “communications exercises”, and “breakout sessions”
• Character Work Day mini-workshop and working session to develop character materials for workshops; Cleveland , Ohio ; December 2003; 10 participants
• “Ready for Marriage” presentation and mini-workshop at the Bahá'í Social and Economic Development Conference, Orlando , Florida ; December 2003; 130 participants
• “The interactivity, definitions, content, and humor were valuable.”
• Provided curriculum content and facilitator coaching for Bahá'í Youth Conference Workshop on Dating; Washington , DC ; December 2003
• “Both Eyes Open - The Adventure of Relationships”; intensive marriage preparation weekend workshop, Chicago , Illinois ; November 2003; trained 3 facilitators concurrently with session; 65 participants
• Overall evaluation score was 6.07 out of a possible 7.00 total
• “The book, presenters, demonstrations, and activities were very useful!”
• “Learned a lot about myself in a way that felt safe and comfortable.”
• Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts! ; Local Author Week at Euclid Public Library; Cleveland , Ohio ; October 2003; 15 participants
• “Your presentation was informative and professional, yet warm and comforting. It is nice to think that happiness like yours is possible in this world!” Library Coordinator
• “Parenting Your Child Through Relationships, Courting, & Consent to Marry”; Bahá'í Unit Convention; Cleveland , Ohio ; October 2003; 6 participants
• Marriage Can Be Forever--Preparation Counts! - The Publishing Challenges”; Mayfield Library Presentation for National Writer's Union ; September 2003; 25 participants
• “Steps on a Pat h to a Spiritually-Based Marriage”; Bahá'í-sponsored Public Meeting, Cleveland , Ohio ; September 2003; 25 participants
• Introduction to Marriage Project; Association for Bahá'í Studies Conference, San Francisco , California ; September 2003; 100 participants
• Bahá'í Singles Marriage Preparation Weekend; Cleveland , Ohio ; August 2003; 15 participants
• “Great job! Thanks for providing a very valuable opportunity to discuss issues of concern; thanks for promoting healthy relationships and marriage!”
• “The two of you are wonderful!”
• Marriage Preparation Workshops; Midwinter Bahá'í Youth Conference, Cleveland/Cincinnati, Ohio ; 1999-2003; 15 participants
Other Topics
• “Networking and Queries” Western Reserve Writers Conference, 2007
• “Self-Publishing” Western Reserve Writers Conference, 2005
• “Freelancing,” “Self-Publishing,” and “The Art of the Pitch,” Cleveland State University Writer's Conference, 2004
• “Editing Your Work,” Western Reserve Writers Conference, 2003
• “Networking and Queries” and “The Business of Writing,” Western Reserve Writers Conference, 2002
• “Tips for Successful Freelancing,” Western Reserve Writers Conference, 2001
• “Getting Articles into Print” and “Writing Query Letters,” Hudson Writers Mini-Conference, 2001
• “Interviewing and the Art of Profiles,” Society of Professional Journalists, New Orleans , 2001
• Teen Creative Writing Workshop, Midwinter Bahá'í Youth Conference, 2000, 2001
• “Getting Articles into Print,” Lakewood Writers Mini-Conference, 2000
• Panelist, “Talk Back with Freelancers and Editors,” Society of Professional Journalists, 2000
• Interviewee about Magazine Writing, Amherst Cable TV, Over the Back Fence Show, 2000
• “Resume Preparation,” Cuyahoga Community College , Career Place , Cleveland , Ohio , 2000
• “Surviving as a Freelancer,” Western Reserve Writer's Conference, 1999
• Co-host of interview/talk/music radio show on WERE 1300 AM Cleveland (Buddy Z Show), 1998-1999
JOURNALISM PUBLICATIONS
Relationship Articles:
• “Growing In Love, The Key to Achieving a Cooperative Marriage”, Winter 2006: Marriage Partnership Magazine
• “Does Your Marriage Have Character?” First Years and Forever , Family Ministries Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago , September 2005
• “Prepare for Your Marriage, Not Just the Wedding,” SharonNaylor.net , August 2004
• “Having A Father Matters,” Strengthening Marriage , Fall 2003
• “Living Together Reduces Chance of Lasting Marriage,” Strengthening Marriage , Fall 2002
• “Middle Class Attitudes Towards Welfare Reform,” The Cleveland Free Times , May 2000
• “Virtuous Sex,” The Shifting Times , January 2000
• “Personality Styles: A Simple Tool for Better Relationships,” The Shifting Times , January 2000
• “The Power of Family Unity,” The Shifting Times , September 1998
• “Mothering 101: Teaching Virtues to Children,” The Shifting Times , April 1998
Other Articles:
Written over 200 articles for a variety of publications, including: Strengthening Marriage , Newsweek (Japan), The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer , Ziff Davis Smart Business , Massage Magazine , Crain's Cleveland Business , Over the Back Fence , Pages , The Shifting Times , The Cleveland Free Times , Catalyst for Cleveland Schools , The American Bahá'í , Ad Astra , Black Diaspora , Sun Newspapers, Times of Your Life , The (Regina) Leader Star , Point of Light , Accent on Living , Proud , Writer's Digest
MEDIA COVERAGE
• Television
• Radio
• Quoted in articles:
• Quoted in books:
• Featured in:
• Editor/Content Developer; www.solvingconflicts.com (John Miller, owner); 2004
• Editor, Children's Storybook Project; Louhelen Teacher Training Center , Davison , Michigan ; 2001-2002
• Corporate Editor/Writer; Ohio Aerospace Institute/OAI for business proposals, website, academic papers, annual report; 2001
• Staff Writer and Associate Editor for The Shifting Time s , an Ohio monthly publication; circulation approx. 30,000 in Ohio and 100 nationally, Cleveland , Ohio ; 1998-2000 [out of publication in March 2000]
• Managing Editor/Writer for T&D Times , an in-house national monthly publication for BP Oil Company; circulation approx. 900; Cleveland, Ohio; 1992-1994
MANUSCRIPT EDITING
• Steven Sacks , Relationship book, 2001
• Morris Taylor , Author, Community-Building Coach, 2001
• Justice St. Rain , Author, Owner of Special Ideas publishing company, Bloomington, Indiana, 1998-2002
• Dr. Harry J. Bury, Baldwin-Wallace College Professor and Author, Berea, Ohio, 1998-1999
• Ernst & Young, International Accounting Firm Operations Manual, Cleveland , Ohio , 1999
• Steven Lovrecovich, Engineering Consultant and Author, Independence , Ohio , 1998
• Daniel E. Berry, VP Cleveland Growth Association and Author, Orange , Ohio , 1998
• Member, VP of Education, Positively Speaking Toastmasters, 2006-2008
• Member, American Society of Journalists & Authors (ASJA)
• Member, VP of Public Relations, Centerior Toastmasters, 1998
• Member of Interfaith Suburban Action Coalition, Euclid, Ohio, 2000-2004; Secretary 2002-2003
• Former Board Member, Society of Professional Journalists, Cleveland , 2000-2002
PREVIOUS POSITIONS
STANDARD OIL; BP OIL COMPANY; BP CHEMICALS COMPANY, Cleveland, Ohio, 1984-1997
• Project Coordinator , Cleveland , OH
Led project team to analyze 200+ manuals used by field operations; coordina ted and developed manuals in a combined word processing and text-retrieval database; supervised software contractors; analyzed local and wide area network needs for project; designed training manual; trained users; presen ted project internationally and to Ford Motor's quality representative.
• Shipments Coordinator; Inventory & Supply Manager; Customer Service Specialist , Cleveland , OH
Analyzed and coordina ted inventory, supply, customer service, and shipments through timely communications with international suppliers, customers, shipping companies, sales managers, government agencies, inspectors, and technical experts. Managed or assis ted team responses to large market disruptions and contamination incidents; handled insurance claims; received numerous performance awards for actions that helped preserve company reputation, customer loyalty, and sales.
• Operations Supervisor , Washington , DC
On-site manager for 24-hour union trucking fuel terminal; trained employees and contractors in safety procedures; significantly improved employee performance; researched documentation for litigation cases and participa ted on litigation team. Managed emergency responses and environmental audit and remediation projects; coordina ted site-wide testing of firefighting foam system with involvement of fire department, contractors, and customers; made emergency response training video for Secret Service.