Elizabeth González Suárez, MA is vice president of Community Life for The Community Builders (TCB), Inc. (Boston), a position she has held since 2016. Elizabeth advances the powerful role that TCB and partner institutions can play in providing stability and social connections for seniors and access to opportunity for families in TCB communities. She also serves on the Jordan Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board, and the Roxbury Mass in Motion Leadership Team.
Prior to joining TCB, Ms. Gonzalez Suarez was Director of Community Health Practice at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) and deputy director of the U54 Partnership Outreach Program. Most of her 20-year tenure with DFCI was dedicated to designing and implementing evidence-based programs that promote public health among high-risk and underserved populations.
Earlier in her career, she conducted research on community-based approaches to health promotion and cancer prevention. She was an active member of the DFCI’s Diversity Initiative, targeting programs to increase representation of people of color in health professions. Additionally, she led efforts to develop successful outreach strategies to maximize community of color participation in community-based participatory research. Through her work, she developed strong partnerships with faith-based organizations, community health centers, and community development organizations to bring innovative and comprehensive health and wellness program to affordable housing developments and faith-based organizations.
From 2006-2012, Ms. González Suárez served on the Board of Directors of Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA), and was Board President from 2008 to 2012. Ms. Gonzalez Suarez’s leadership was pivotal in accomplishing IBA corporate merger with its real estate affiliate, ETC Development Corporation (ETC). She brokered honest and critical conversations between the Boards of Directors of both corporations, to ensure the merger served the community of Villa Victoria and all the residents of properties owned by IBA and ETC. Throughout the strategic process, Ms. González Suárez was a staunch advocate for resident involvement.
Ms. González Suárez received her bachelor and master’s degrees in psychology from Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas, Venezuela. She is married with two sons and is a strong community arts advocate and supporter.