Susan Bowman

Susan has worked as a middle school dropout prevention counselor, secondary school counselor and a counselor for incarcerated juveniles. In 2005, the GED Testing Service awarded Susan with the national Cornelius P. Turner Award, presented annually to a GED graduate who has made outstanding contributions to society in education or public, or social service. She has been interviewed by the Arizona Tribune and the Wall Street Journal and radio stations across the country. She has authored and co-authored more than twenty books/programs. Her book on self-injury was recognized in USA Today.

Susan's real story started as a troubled teen. She ran away from home at the age of fourteen with a mentally unstable boyfriend, endured homelessness and survived living in the Maine wilderness. By age nineteen, after having her third child, she finally broke free of the toxic relationship with her daughter’s father and had to depend on welfare as her only means of financial support. She struggled as a teen mom but with the help of a mentor, she received her GED. She raised her children alone for ten years while living in poverty trying to pursue a better life for her and her girls. Susan eventually earned several college degrees and devoted her life to helping others learn how to understand and connect with troubled youth.