Susan Leahy: A Confident Woman
Meet a successful local expat who juggles multiple businesses, family and travel who shares with us her experiences of being a woman in Playa del Carmen.
The Playa Times: Where are you from and why did you move to Playa?
I am a southern California native, I lived in Los Angeles with my husband for 13 years before we decided to move to Playa del Carmen. My husband and I knew that we wanted a different experience for our two children growing up. Once we asked the question if we could live in a Spanish-speaking country, it seemed as if heaven and earth moved to guide us to Playa del Carmen.
Susan Leahy: What is your background and what do you do now?
I was raised by a mother who was a professional clown and a career marine father. I’m a motivational speaker, business owner, wife and mother. I have an online business that requires travel to the US. I have a corporate training company called Group to Team Leadership Solutions, which helps organizations build a powerful culture of team. I have an online product called Robert’s Rules Made Simple, which enables boards to run more effective meetings.
What are your positive and negative experiences as a woman in playa?
I think not being able to speak the language fluently creates a separation. Juggling the realities of being a mom and maintaining my business leaves little time to study language. One of the most positive experiences is that I feel a greater sense of personal safety than I did in LA. I enjoy the energy of expats and also local Mexicans in this region. In my experience, people here are less angry than in the US. As a woman I generally feel safer.
What are your hopes for the future for women in Playa?
What I want for the future of women not just in Playa but in Mexico, the US and ultimately, the world, is to have a greater partnership with men. I want women to give themselves greater permission to embed themselves into the fabric of their culture or community. Women are not passive observers, we are powerful creators.
How will you support International Women’s Day?
I offer a program called The Confident Woman Program and my commitment is that any woman who connects with me can enroll free. I believe stronger women will create a better world. If you’re interested in receiving a free copy of The Confident Woman Program, contact me on International Women’s Day at info@susanleahy.com
Sara Jones
Spa, Wellness & Lifestyle Expert, Spa Consultant, Speaker and Founder of Spa & Wellness MexiCaribe magazine
