From the first brave moment to the lifelong mission—this is the work that changes everything.
The Work Worth Doing is a storytelling series that celebrates women who lead with heart, vision, and extraordinary purpose. These are women who didn’t wait for permission. Sometimes, they chased the spark. Other times, the spark found them—through a quiet nudge, a moment of truth, or a door they never expected to walk through.
Some are leading organizations. Others are mentoring quietly, launching creative ventures, or nurturing change within families, campuses, cultures, or communities. Whether they’re seasoned executives or emerging voices, what unites them is the courage to step forward and do the work—the work that matters.
Their stories are filled with grit, growth, and the unseen labor of transformation. They are founders, educators, performers, builders, and bridge-makers. Each one reminds us that influence doesn’t always start loud—but it always starts with a spark.
This series is about more than what these women do. It’s about why they do it—and who they become along the way.
She grew up in a family of music, lived a life of harmony, and passed on a spark that still sings in the voices of others. For Susan Mueller, music was never just notes on a page—it was a way to see the spark in others, and to give them courage to sing it out.
When asked what it means to be a storyteller, she doesn’t hesitate. “It’s about connection,” she said. “I want people to feel seen, understood, and not alone. If I can bring someone joy or comfort—even for a moment—that’s enough.”
“We served ten people that first day,” she recalls. By year’s end, they had served more than 32,000 meals. In 2024 alone, nearly 65,000 meals were served. Over 25 years, that number exceeds two million.