Ep. 3 | Showing Up for Families and Communities with Sue Parks

Susan Parks, President and CEO of United Way of Orange County, joins FutureCurrent to explore community, connection, and what it means to truly show up for families.Susan shares how her own giving story began, why local support matters, and how United Way partners with schools, nonprofits, and businesses to stabilize families and create opportunity. The conversation brings forward the power of collaboration, the role of education in breaking cycles, and why asking for help sooner can change outcomes.Listeners will also learn about 2-1-1, a critical resource connecting families to food, housing, transportation, and other essential services across Orange County.Watch on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.United Way of Orange County: https://unitedwayoc.org2-1-1 Orange County: https://www.211oc.orgAbout the Guest:As President and CEO of Orange County United Way, Susan B. Parks leads the nonprofit organization’s mission to improve lives and strengthen the Orange County community. Parks has a long history with the organization as a former board member and one of the founding members of Orange County United Way’s Women’s Philanthropy Fund. Under Parks’ leadership, the organization launched three key initiatives (United to End HomelessnessSM, United for Financial SecuritySM and United for Student SuccessSM), which tackle the Orange County community’s most critical issues. She was also active player in the development of the nonprofit’s countywide five-year strategic plan, United4OC 2030, a bold movement to unite Orange County through 4 million moments of impact to cultivate a stronger workforce, healthier economy, and improved wellbeing.Parks also spearheaded the organization's acquisition of 2-1-1 Orange County (211OC), a key service that connects thousands of the community's most vulnerable residents with health and human service resources via a free, 24-hour emergency contact center. Prior to joining United Way, she held executive roles in several Fortune 500 and 1000 companies, in addition to being an entrepreneur. Parks has received numerous accolades including the 2023 LA Times Inspirational Women in Leadership Award, 2021 Excellence in Executive Leadership Honoree Award by the CSU Fullerton’s Center for Leadership, the 2020 Woman of the Year Award from Congressman Lou Correa, the Impact 2020 CEO of the Year Award, and many others. Parks currently serves on the Commission to End Homelessness and is a member of the University of California, Irvine (UCI) Chief Executive Roundtable.