Ms. Suwalsky started at RCF as its Youth Coordinator, and currently serves as a mentor and co-facilitator of the Dr. M.L.K., Jr. Youth Council--a group she helped found in 2008. Prior to joining RCF, she was a Research Associate, Y-PLAN Mentor, and Cal Corps Student in Service with the UC Berkeley Center for Cities and Schools, and assisted with research projects at the School of Public Health. She also served as a PLUS Fellow with the City of Richmond and NURVE Partners, where she forged City-School connections and documented collaboration.

Before coming to California, Ms. Suwalsky helped launch the Center for Community Planning and Development at Hunter College, City University of New York, as the first Center Coordinator. Deeply committed to educational opportunity as a social justice issue, she gained valuable perspective working in the Advancement Office at Montgomery College in Maryland. She has also pursued a range of interests in related fields through contract work and internships. She identifies as a transracially-adopted person and a woman of color.