Susi Wilbur

Susi Wilbur - Board President, has worked in many different roles and with many different kinds
of people in her life. As a licensed clinical social worker and community advocate here in the
Piedmont area she developed one of Charlottesville’s first outreach program for the Deaf
community, advocated for abused and neglected children and adults and provided in-home care
for persons with severe mental illness. She provided psychotherapy for many years in private
practice as well.

All throughout her 25-plus-year career, Susi has always wanted to return to her roots of working
in the outdoors. Before becoming a social worker, she worked as an instructor with the National
Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) where she got her certificate as a NOLS instructor in
Wyoming. This lead her to teach and direct courses with NOLS, Outward Bound, Student
Conservation Association and Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center. With her background as
an outdoor educator she witnessed the impact on her students who experienced the highs and
lows of being in the outdoors. She knows how important it is to introduce people to the outdoors
and believes the Deaf Eco Farm can provide many different experiences in the outdoors to
people of all ages and especially for the Deaf Community. With all the experiences Susi has had
in the outdoor education field, she did not have sign language interpreters. The Deaf Eco Farm
will provide direct access thus creating a safe learning experience for all those who partake in
programs and activities at DEF.

Because of that, Susi is committed to the belief that everyone will have access to what they want
and need to learn and experience there!