Susan is a long-time community activist whose day job, of three decades, was with a CT health insurance company. In retirement, she is the full-time volunteer Executive Director of WPAA-TV and Community Media Center – an Art & Culture nonprofit in Wallingford. An award-winning community TV station, WPAA-TV facilitates the production of conversations and media in the public interest. Susan and Ana met on that day-job decades ago. Both are embracing a second life in service to the community. ‘I help elevate the mission and vision of nonprofits every day,’ Susan said. ‘With TriCircle, I have the privilege of knowing its deep roots and respecting the journey in a more personal way.’ WPAA-TV has featured Ana Gopoian and TriCircle on various programs. Winner of the Civic Organization award in 2024, WPAA-TV is honored to have a continuing relationship with those in service to the community through TriCircle.
In times of uncertainty, Susan and the WPAA-TV governance team, are embracing the
art of story crafting, people gathering, and uplifting voices as a creative practice. WPAA-TV hosts storytellers, thespians, performers, and a variety of ARTivists. She will tell you that from this brave, safe, creative space, she embraces the potential of art to elevate “We The People”. She is passionate about ‘informed’ free speech, collaboration, grassroots efforts, and sustainable & just systems. When asked “What wins tomorrow today?” Susan’s response closely parallels TriCircle’s business model, “A culture of sustainability with adaptive processes, accessible tools, and ‘what is needed’ resources and partnerships built through collaboration.”
Susan’s background is as diverse as it is full of passion. She has two Masters Degrees – an MS in Interactive Media from Quinnipiac University and an MS in Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods from SCSU. However, it is the lessons learned as a VISTA which she says, “win the day”. In her 2-year enlistment with the Dept. of Corrections, she was an interagency liaison with Police & Parole. This immersive experience showed her the potential of interagency communication on client services and the power of supportive systems for recovery. The takeaway is to “know their stories and work cooperatively toward a shared vision.’
TriCircle is among a dozen nonprofits benefiting from Susan’s continued effort to introduce collaboration into community engagement. Since 2022, WPAA-TV has facilitated the Wallingford version of the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven’s online fundraising day as #greatgive06492. With as little as $5, anyone can Be The Seed. The 36 hour, online giving event will take place May 7-8. Stay tuned for more details!