Meet Jessica O'Rourke-Suchoff!

Introducing Wayfinder board member, Jessica O'Rourke-Suchoff! Jessica is an Attorney Investigator at Aleta Law, and lives in Alna with her family. She joined the board in 2022. We recently caught up with Jessica to ask her a few questions.

WS: Where did you grow up and what did you want to be when you grew up?
JOS: I grew up in Freeport, ME. Maybe I wanted to be a CEO, even though I'm pretty sure I didn't know what it actually was -- I just wanted to boss people around.

WS: Who was one of your favorite teachers and why?
JOS: I had an elementary school teacher who was an amateur cartoonist. He used cartoon drawings to teach all kinds of lessons, and I remember them so vividly and learning in such an engaging, dynamic way. He also played the guitar -- a bonus!

WS: What do you like best about your job?
JOS: I get to work with amazing people to help institutions comply with civil rights laws -- what could be better!

WS: What drew you to Wayfinder Schools?
JOS: I believe education is a human right, and that all people, regardless of family status or socioeconomic situation should have access to it. Wayfinder's mission gets to the core of this issue by bridging access gaps, and this is just a cause that is so close to my heart.

WS: What makes you most proud about being part of  Wayfinder?
JOS: Being part of an organization that works towards making education accessible to people of diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

WS: What do you wish more people knew about Wayfinder?
JOS: The specific and essential role it plays in the lives of its students, who are able to access education that works with their unique circumstances.

WS: What do you like about living in Maine?
JOS: Everything about the outdoors, and not very much traffic (at least in the winter)!

WS: What is your favorite Maine food?
JOS: Oysters all day.

WS: Favorite Maine spot?
JOS: Any lake that requires driving for several miles down dirt roads to access.

WS: Favorite downtime activity?
JOS: Cooking for my wife and daughter.

WS: What are you reading right now? What are you watching?
JOS: I’m reading The Future by Naomi Alderman, and I am watching The Regime.

WS: What is something most people don't know about you?
JOS: I'm a dual citizen -- I'm Canadian too!

WS: What do you hope for Wayfinder in future years?
JOS: For everyone in Maine to know about the great work that it does.