Featured Firestarter
Meet Emily Tisch Sussman
Emily Tisch Sussman
Emily, age 41, New York
Connect with her on Instagram
How did you find your spark?
I found my spark twice. First, when I worked in politics, and then when I left. Politics is a labor of love; it’s incredibly demanding work that’s only possible if you truly believe in it, and I believed. I poured my heart and soul into my career, but I never quite felt like I belonged there; in an industry famous for being male dominated, formal and hierarchical, the colorful and fun part of me simply didn’t fit in. For most of my life, I battled with reconciling the professional in me who values and cares about their work with the less professional, louder, unapologetic and sillier part of me. But after leaving politics and learning to redefine myself, I’ve realized that that can push me further in my career and open up opportunities I never could have imagined. My spark has helped me carve out spaces for women to be authentically themselves while at the same time building successful careers.
What fires have you started in your life or in the lives of others?
I like to think the fires I’ve started threw off sparks that other women used to start their own fires. When I started She Pivots it was because I needed to hear inspiring stories after I pivoted out of my decade long career in DC politics. I left after having my three (wonderful) kids in just four years and felt a deep sense of loss. I knew I couldn’t be the only one; as I talked to more and more women I knew that sharing these stories could help other women redefine themselves and find their fire. The podcast has become a symbiotic in a way; it’s become a fire in my life and it gives women the permission and inspiration to start their own fires. I’ll never forget when a friend told me she wanted to get into a new field, but couldn’t get over all the time she’d “wasted” in her first line of work. But by listening to She Pivots, she realized nothing is a waste. As so many of our guests prove, everything builds on itself and leads you to the next thing.
What obstacles have you had to overcome?
Growing up in a prominent family, I felt an immense amount of pressure to find “success.” This constant search for “success” defined me for the majority of my life and career, so when I left behind those traditional markers of success that came from politics, it was crushing. At the same time, I was a new mom struggling to keep up with and connect to my three kids. It’s a tale as old as time for women and moms. Many of us put too much pressure on ourselves to build a career and a resume that reflects the traditional notions of success.
What new fires are you starting?
We just launched our third season of She Pivots; during our launch celebration I wanted to make sure my guests walked away feeling like they were a part of something meaningful. I've had the honor to speak with so many incredible women on this podcast and wanted to use this party as a way to bring these insights and relationships out of the studio and into real life. In my remarks, I encouraged guests to be bold, to make asks of one another, and to put out what you have to offer. We're a generation of women who build bridges; not a generation of women who compete with one another. One of our attendees, Hitha Palepu, shared something that warmed my heart and encapsulated what I’d hoped to achieve for the celebration; that the party felt like “a family reunion with only the relatives you really like.” I hope this season inspires each and every one of our listeners and friends of She Pivots to build bridges and start their own fires.
WANT TO SEE YOUR STORY FEATURED?
Click here to fill out the form and share what makes you a Firestarter. While I won’t be able to respond to every submission, I’ll be in touch if you are selected to be featured in an upcoming post.🔥🔥🔥