Suzanne Wang
Meet Suzanne!
“I enjoy problem solving with a great group of folks – it makes work fun and challenging.”
Tell us about yourself and your role in the City of Phoenix.
I was born and raised in Los Angeles. After moving to Phoenix about 13 years ago for my husband’s work, we now call Phoenix home with our two young kids. I started with the City of Phoenix in a temporary role after a long career in healthcare on a whim to try public service. Fast forward, seven years later, I am grateful to find a role that allows me to continue contributing to our great city. As the Assistant Director for the Fire Department, I support the Fire Chief and his executive team on various areas including strategy, administration, policy, communications, and special projects on behalf of the department. After over a year in the role, I still find myself learning. I enjoy problem solving with a great group of people – it makes work fun and challenging.
What is a memorable experience or achievement you’ve had during your time with the City?
Many of my fond memories are a result of the friendships and leaders that have made a positive impact in my career at the city. Probably the one achievement I am most proud of is when I was asked to join ITS to rebuild the Project Management Office after a less than stellar audit report. As difficult as that challenge was, the opportunity fostered a lot of personal and professional growth. Over the course of four years, a team of us worked tirelessly to rebuild every aspect of the people, processes, and tools to lay the foundation for technical project management services to be provided citywide. It was most validating when an independent industry leader assessment confirmed that the city had one of the more mature practices within public sector organizations in project management. Project management is often a thankless job if you do it right. We have great staff. I am glad to know that I was able to contribute a part of that journey.
Tell us about your cultural background and heritage. How do you celebrate your heritage, personally and within the community?
My family is from Guangzhou, China and immigrated to the U.S.A. from Hong Kong like many others with their families for a better life. As a first generation Asian American, I lived in a multi-generational household and learned Cantonese and Mandarin thanks to my parents and paternal grandmother. Thus, despite a busy schedule, I make time to cook traditional foods and teach my kids to learn the language (sometimes to much whining). As the 5th largest city, cultural products and events are accessible. We often have friends over and introduce them to support various cultural events around the valley.
Is there a local AAPI business or organization you would like to highlight and share with others?
If you are familiar with Asian culture, you’ll know that do both – eat to live and live to eat! Food is considered a way to maintain health and is one of the unspoken ways our many generations of moms convey love. When I am not cooking, I have a few restaurants that I frequent depending on what you are in the mood for. Great Wall Cuisine for Cantonese-style Dim Sum, Reathrey Sekong for Cambodian, Glai Baan for Thai; I could go on but now I’m getting hungry!
What message would you like to share with others during AAPI Heritage Month?
I challenge everyone to support one local AAPI creator, business, or event during AAPI Heritage Month. It is a great way to meet people, new cultures, and even learn a fun fact or two!
