Biography
Susan Sygall is an internationally recognized expert on inclusion of people with disabilities in international exchange and development, and for her work and expertise on leadership development for women with disabilities. Ms. Sygall has directed international exchange programs sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State since 1983, and since 1995, serves as Project Director on MIUSA’s ECA-sponsored National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange.
Ms. Sygall, CEO and co-founder of Mobility International USA, serves as a trainer, presenter and consultant throughout the United States, Latin America, Europe and Asia on a variety of topics related to leadership, international exchange, inclusion and services for people with disabilities. Ms. Sygall has conducted leadership trainings with people with disabilities, educators and policy makers in Vietnam, Micronesia, Bosnia, Brazil and Mexico. Most recently, Ms. Sygall co-led MIUSA's third international Women's Institute on Leadership and Disability (WILD), which brought together 30 grassroots women leaders with disabilities from 30 countries. Ms. Sygall has co-authored a long series of publications and materials, including: Building Bridges: A Manual for Including Persons with Disabilities in International Exchange Programs (4th edition), and Building an Inclusive Development Community: A Manual on Including People with Disabilities in International Development Programs and has contributed her extensive experience to the publication Survival Strategies for Going Abroad: A Guide for People with Disabilities. Ms. Sygall received a MacArthur Fellowship in 2000. Ms. Sygall has also been the recipient of a Graduate Rotary Scholarship and the Rotary Scholar Alumni Achievement Award. She was named Disabled Oregonian of the Year in 1994, received the Kellogg National Fellowship, which is awarded to approximately 40 outstanding leaders each year in the United States. In 1995 Ms. Sygall received the “President’s Award†from Bill Clinton for her dynamic leadership in international exchange programs for people with disabilities, for her mentorship of young people with disabilities, and for her active role throughout our country and the world in empowering people with disabilities. Most recently, Ms. Sygall was among the 1000 women nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005. Ms. Sygall has taught graduate-level courses at the University of Oregon including the class “Global Perspectives on Disability†through the International Studies and Special Education programs. |
