Mentor Spotlight: Susan Karesky

Take a minute to get to know WLI mentor, Susan Karesky by reading the Q&A below!

Please share a few of your favorite things you have learned in the class sessions?

I have learned so much as a WLI mentor. One of the topics that really resonates with me is the growth mindset. I truly believe when we go about our lives with an open mind and enthusiasm for learning, we can do great things. I also enjoy how Rabbi Kanter links our study of leadership with concepts of Judaism. There is so much we can learn from our texts to help us all become better and more successful leaders.

How have you stayed involved with WLI since your year ended?

This is my second year as a mentor. This year I am a mentor in the first East Valley cohort! I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to help expand WLI to more women in the East Valley.

What is your occupation and have you been able to apply what you learned in WLI to your job?

My 34-year career as a public relations director at Banner Health, the largest healthcare provider in the Southwest, gave me a wide variety of opportunities to grow my leadership skills and lead communications strategies in complex situations. I now work as a freelance public relations specialist. During my career I mentored young professionals while also benefiting from some amazing mentors of my own. I hope the skills I learned as both a mentor and a mentee have helped me be a better mentor for my WLI mentees.

Please tell us more about yourself, your family and/or your involvement in the Jewish community.

Our family moved to Phoenix in 1968 and we were members of Temple Beth Israel back when the campus was in Phoenix. I’ve been involved in the Jewish community ever since, attending the JCC day camp and Camp Teva/Lebeau and working as a counselor at Camp Lebeau through high school. My husband Dan (z’ll) and I were married in 1987 and have twins who are 30 years old. David lives in Phoenix and works as a research project manager at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute. Maryn lives in Los Angeles and works at Camp Ramah. Maryn was a mentee in cohort three, which is partially how I became a mentor! My second husband Ray also has two children, one of whom has given us three wonderful grandchildren. My children grew up at Temple Emanuel of Tempe, the East Valley JCC and Camp Pearlstein/Camp Stein. They developed a strong bond to Judaism through these experiences and gained wonderful friendships that remain close in adulthood. We’ve been members of Temple Emanuel for close to 30 years. I served as President of the Board of Trustees several years ago and held other board positions before that. It was, and is, an honor to serve our congregation to ensure the temple is a haven for spirituality and community for generations to come.

In your spare time what are some hobbies or activities you like to do? (and/or share some fun facts about yourself)

I wasn’t much of a hobby person while I was working full time and raising my kids. I’ve recently discovered, or rediscovered, the art of cooking. I am enjoying trying new and challenging recipes and learning how to make artisan breads (although my sour dough was an epic fail!) I also enjoy vegetable gardening, reading and needlepoint. In fact, one of my COVID projects was needlepointing tooth fairy pillows for my three grandsons. Our oldest has recently lost a couple teeth and was so excited to put his tooth in the pillow’s pocket!