News:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) – Sandra Suran elected to the Board of Commissioners – June 2020 to June 2023
Sandra was appointed by the President and the Chair of the NWCCU to fill an unexpired public member term in January 2018. In June 2020, Sandra was elected by the Commission to serve her first full-term on the Board of Commissioners.
The NWCCU accredits institutions in the states of Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, as well as in British Columbia, Canada. The Commission works to sustain the process of self regulation that is the hallmark of regional accreditation.
The Board of Commissioners is made up of individuals representing both two-year and four-year institutions from the seven-state region, two to four public members, and up to two representatives from other regions.
KPMG – Alumni Spotlight on Sandra Suran
“Businesswoman, entrepreneur, consultant, strategist, educator, and yes, accountant. Sandra Suran has worn many hats during her distinguished career.” Sandra’s interview has been featured in KPMG’s International Alumni Spotlight Newsletter, KPMG’s Alumni Partner Newsletter and KPMG’s Social Media, including LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter…what an amazing honor!
To read the entire article, click KPMG Alumni Spotlight
Proudly Recognized – Congratulations, Sandra!
Sandra was awarded the Sustained Contribution Award, from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), on October 2, 2015.
As the award states, “This outstanding individual has contributed measurably with more than 20 years of volunteer service to the AICPA and the CPA profession. Through her leadership, the AICPA has better served its members and the public interest.”
Sandra’s Article Honored as One of Top Ten Articles of All Time!
Sandra’s 2003 article, “How to Effectively Implement Change”, was selected as one of the Top Articles of All-Time in The Journal of Corporate Accounting & Finance (JCAF) in May/June 2015. This article was the starting point and the catalyst to the publication of her recent book, The DNA of the Resilient Organization – How One Collective Heartbeat Creates Continuous Competitive Advantage.
The JCAF is a juried professional publication, which is available by subscription only. Selection of Sandra’s article was based on two criteria: most enduringly useful & most accessed online. Selection was by their Editorial Board of Leaders from national corporations, universities and libraries.
Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco Award
Sandra Suran was awarded the prestigious Ray Dezember Award for “Exemplifying the Meaning of Fed Family” in April 2015. Sandra has been an active participant in the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco’s Board member activities for many years.
Upcoming Events:
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Past Events:
IMC USA Presents: The Economy & Small Business – A Panel Discussion with Sandra Suran & Bill Conerly
April 20, 2017, 5:30 – 7:30 pm
A great opportunity for clients and consultants to question, listen and decide for themselves how to prepare and/or adjust their 2017 business plans.
Willamette University – Contributing Assistant Professor!
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Sandra began teaching at Willamette University‘s Atkinson School of Management. The graduate course she developed and will teach is called “Enterprise Risk Reduction for Sustainable Growth”.
The course mirrors and expands Sandra’s book theme of combining risk management and organization development tools and approaches to achieve resilience. That’s the only way to effectively build resilience in this rapid-paced, constantly changing world.
Women in Leadership Event
Friday, May 29th, 7:30 am to 9:00 am
Location: The Commerce Bank of Oregon
Sandra spoke to a small group of women leaders in the Portland Metro area. The topic of her speech was “Helping Women in Leadership Effectively Accomplish Change within their Organizations.”
Portland Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Dinner Meeting
Tuesday, May 19, 2015 from 5:30 to 7:45 pm
Location: Lan Su Chinese Garden, 239 NW Everett St , Portland, OR 97209
Sandra was the lead-off speaker at this event where she discussed topics from her book, The DNA of the Resilient Organization. The key to building organizational resilience in the face of today’s constant risks and challenges is not a complex, sophisticated tool. There is no “magic bullet.” The key is synthesis of infrastructure components (organization structures, processes, and systems) with team development factors (e.g. team development, communications, and transparency) while working on every growth/change initiative.
The other speaker for the evening was Christian Kaylor, Oregon Employment Department economist, who spoke about the Portland area’s economy and how it is enjoying a strong recovery. He also talked about the secret of the area’s economic success, who is being left behind, and what it all means for the Portland area.
OSCPA: Annual Not-For-Proft Conference
Monday, May 4, 2015 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Location: Double Tree by Hilton, Portland, Oregon
Sandra facilitated the development and introduced two sessions at the conference:
- “Budgeting the Dream – Integrating Budget with Strategic Plan”, Tom Horey, CFO, from DePaul Industries and Gareth Nevitt, CFO, Portland Art Museum.
- “Keeping Score to Accomplish Program Success”, Pamela Blikstad, Vice President – Finance, Medical Teams International and Joe DiCarlo, Vice President – Programs, Medical Teams International.
OSCPA: “Can’t We All Just Get along?” — Balancing The Objectives Between Development and Finance
April 23, 2015, 4:00 – 7:15 pm Location: Mercy Corps, 45 SW Ankeny St., Portland
This event was offered at no charge by the Oregon Society of CPAs. Sandra founded the event series “What Matters for Not-for-Profits”.
University Club of Oregon – January Cocktail Dinner Party
January 14, 2015 at 6:00 pm —- “The DNA of the Resilient Organization“
Sandra Suran explained her recently published book which shows how viewing and making changes holistically in any organization, leads to an environment that efficiently and successfully improves itself and is consistently able to weather storms. With each change that is made, with each problem that is encountered or resolved with this approach, the organization maximizes its ability to continue to improve.
OSCPA: “Diversifying Your Revenue Stream – Where’s Your Paddle?”
January 24, 2014, 4:00 – 7:00
One cannot live on bread alone, so the old adage goes. A nonprofit operating today recognizes this. To survive and thrive, organizations must look beyond traditional funding models to more innovative and unique revenue opportunities such as program expansion and diversification, organizational mergers, sliding fee scales for services, and for-profit endeavors.
This event was offered by the Oregon Society of CPAs “What Matters for Not-for-Profits” program.
BSR Broadcast
Sandra was interviewed about her new book, The DNA of the Resilient Organization, on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. To listen or download, visit Better, Smarter, Richer.
OSCPA – What Matters for Not-For-Profits Series: “Strategic Planning: Approaches, Benefits, Challenges”
Sandra was the Consultant Panelist at the September 16, 2014 event for Not-For-Profit leaders, CPAs, attorneys, bankers and other service professionals. The purpose was to increase awareness and skills about developing and implementing a strong, successful strategic plan.
OSCPA Not-For-Profit Series: “What Can Not-For-Profit Clients Do to Get More Value From Their CPA?”
Sandra was the Moderator for the OSCPA event at the Girl Scouts of Oregon and SW Washington facility in Portland, on April 24, 2014.
Villebois Book Launch!
Villebois residents and friends were invited to join Sandra’s book launch on April 14, 2014.
The DNA of the Resilient Organization – Premiere Workshop
Sandra lead a Workshop for select associates to discuss and review her newly released book on March 31, 2014 at the Neil Kelly Company.
1st Presentation about Sandra’s Forthcoming Book!
Sandra Suran presented “Achieve Organizational Resilience With A Collective Heartbeat” at the October 17, 2012 meeting of the Christian Chamber of Commerce of Oregon.