Name:  Susanne Mata

Where were you born and raised?
I was born in Bangkok, Thailand, and raised in a military family that moved frequently during my childhood. By the time I entered high school, I had lived in two countries—Thailand and Spain—and four states: California, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Louisiana. Moving every two years shaped my ability to adapt quickly, connect with diverse people, and see the world from multiple perspectives.

What’s a short story around the biggest transition you’ve faced in life?
After living in Southern California for 36 years, my family and I made the decision to move to Florida in 2022 to be closer to loved ones. We left a very comfortable life behind—I had a fulfilling career and was just five years away from earning my pension—and made the leap to start over. The transition brought both deep challenges and unexpected opportunities, including the loss of my father just eight months after our move and the decision to launch my own consulting business. It has truly been a roller coaster of emotions—we gave up so much and experienced real loss—but we also found incredible joy. I became a first-time grandmother, built a business from the ground up, and grew in ways I never anticipated. The experience strengthened my resilience and reshaped both my personal and professional path.

What’s the one piece of advice you’d give a younger you?
Don’t be so hard on yourself – Give yourself grace!

Your Personal Why?
My “why” is rooted in my family and my faith. My family motivates me to work hard, stay strong, and lead by example, no matter the challenges. My faith keeps me centered and reminds me to live with intention and purpose. Everything I do is about providing for them and being someone my children and grandson can look up to.

How does your Why drive you to be a part of the THF Ecosystem?
Helping people discover their strengths and find the right career path has always been important to me, and it was a central part of my work with the California Community Colleges. At The Honor Foundation, I have the opportunity to carry that passion forward by indirectly supporting Special Operations members as they transition into civilian life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Military Connection or Why do you respect Special Operators?
My father’s 28 years of service in the Navy gave me a deep respect for our country and those who serve. Growing up in a military family, I gained firsthand insight into the sacrifices and strength of military life, which has shaped my appreciation for both service members and their families.

Favorite THF Value, and why?
Fierce Empathy is the value that speaks to me most. I’ve always been someone who can step into others’ shoes and truly listen with understanding and compassion. Being raised in a military family adds another layer to that, as I can relate to the experiences and transitions many veterans and their families go through. It’s important to me to show up with care, respect, and genuine understanding.

Area/Industry of expertise:
My area of expertise is grant strategy and development, with over 20 years of experience working with nonprofit, education, and workforce development funding. Since 2003, I’ve supported the full grant lifecycle—from research and proposal development to submission and post- award support—helping organizations secure and effectively manage funding that drives meaningful impact.

Contact Susanne directly at susanne@honor.org.