SUSAN HESS, MSW, LCSW-IL (she/her), is a Clinical Associate Professor at USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Hess is an advocate, consultant and relational organizer in the areas of trauma informed care, healing centered engagement and the intersections of intimate partner violence. Hess collaborates with social work students who were formerly incarcerated to provide support in navigating through school, licensing issues and pushing back on systemic barriers that students who were formerly incarcerated face through a trauma informed healing centered approach. Hess is the Co-Founder of Trauma Informed LA whose mission is to foster resilient communities that promote healing and well-being through collaboration, education, and community engagement. In recognition of her dedication, Hess was presented with the distinguished Dr. Marjorie Braude Award by the City of Los Angeles Domestic Violence City Task Force in October, 2013 for innovative collaboration in serving victims of domestic violence. Hess is a founding member of Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon’s first Crime Victims Advisory Board. Hess holds an elected position with NASW-CA as the Committee for Nominations and Leadership Identification (CNLI) Chair.