Suanne Carlson currently serves the nomadic community as HOWA’s Co-Founder, Trustee Vice-President, and volunteer Executive Director, managing the organization’s day-to-day operations. Suanne began her nomadic lifestyle as a part-timer in 2009, then went full-time in 2016. She retired from the Washington State Community and Technical College System in 2008 after 24 years of service; her last 9 years were spent at the state-wide policy level as the Director of Online and Distance Learning. Ten years after that retirement, HOWA began.
Suanne’s background preparation for HOWA:
- Formal Education — MEd in Adult Ed Administration, BA with emphasis in the psychology of human-computer interaction,
- Experience — focus on student (client) success, utilized technology solutions, project management, horse outfitting in the NFS back country, policy-level management of the state’s online education, and
- Passion for the nomadic lifestyle — travel, exploration, being in nature, land stewardship, minimalist living in the back country, the mobile community.
“HOWA is an extraordinarily unique organization, serving an often forgotten and unseen population. I’m striving to steer it toward success and long-term sustainability, well beyond my days. HOWA is doing important work. Remember the Mission!”
Together we are changing lives, building supportive community, and preventing homelessness one person at a time.