Susan Lawol joined CWDA in August 2025 as Deputy Director of Child Welfare, where she specializes in a broad range of policy issues impacting children, youth, and families involved with the child welfare system. She brings a unique perspective shaped by both domestic leadership in county human services and international fieldwork in post-conflict recovery.

Before joining CWDA, Susan served as Program Manager for Kern County Human Services, leading special projects that advanced CalAIM, CARES, CANS, System Improvement, and system integration, including initiatives such as Linkages between CalWORKs and Child Welfare. Her work focused on building cross-system connections that improved outcomes for vulnerable children and families.

While pursuing her PhD in International Psychology at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Susan was awarded a Boren Fellowship to conduct fieldwork in Northern Uganda, working with former child soldiers and war-affected youth. This experience deepened her commitment to trauma-informed care, culturally responsive practice, and the belief that systems can and must adapt to meet the needs of those they serve. Next to a PhD, she holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology and a bachelor’s degree in German Literature from Hunter College, City University of New York.