Susana Romo Gálvez

Why this persona fits the audience

Director of a mid-sized environmental NGO in Madrid. Oversees a small team of 8 volunteers and staff who currently track donor data and project outcomes using a combination of free online forms and local spreadsheets, struggling with version control.

• Age: 38
• Location: Madrid, Spain
• Occupation: Program Director
• Income: €32,000 - €45,000
• Education: Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science
• Company size: Mid-sized NGO
• Years in role: 5

“Every spreadsheet saved, every volunteer guided, is a small victory for the planet we're fighting to protect.”

Susana Romo Gálvez grew up in a small town in Andalusia, where her early fascination with the natural world was nurtured by long walks in the countryside and a deep respect for local ecosystems. This passion led her to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science at the University of Granada. After graduating, she felt a strong pull towards direct action and began volunteering with various environmental organizations. Her dedication and organizational skills quickly became apparent, leading her to a role coordinating volunteer efforts at a regional conservation group. Five years ago, she moved to Madrid to take on the Program Director position at her current mid-sized environmental NGO. In this role, she oversees a team of eight, managing projects focused on reforestation and biodiversity monitoring. Her daily reality involves navigating the complexities of non-profit operations on a tight budget. She is acutely aware of the limitations imposed by their current data tracking methods – a mix of free online forms and numerous local spreadsheets – which often lead to version control nightmares and inefficient data analysis. This struggle fuels her desire for more streamlined, reliable systems. Susana is driven by a profound belief in transparency and accountability, wanting to ensure every euro donated is demonstrably making an impact. She is financially conscious, living within her means and prioritizing savings for future professional development and travel, but she also understands the necessity of investing in tools that can enhance her organization's effectiveness and reach. Her career path has been a deliberate progression towards maximizing her positive impact, moving from grassroots volunteering to strategic program management. She views her work not just as a job, but as a critical contribution to a healthier planet, constantly seeking ways to improve efficiency and amplify the organization's mission.

Background & daily life

A day in their life

Susana's typical weekday begins around 7:00 AM with a quick breakfast and checking urgent emails. By 8:30 AM, she's at the office, coordinating with her team, reviewing project progress reports, and planning the day's activities. Mornings are often dedicated to meetings with staff, volunteers, or external partners, discussing fundraising strategies, or analyzing recent project data. Lunch is usually a simple, healthy meal, often eaten at her desk while catching up on industry news. Afternoons involve more in-depth work: drafting grant proposals, troubleshooting data issues, developing training materials for volunteers, or preparing for upcoming public speaking engagements. She usually leaves the office around 6:30 PM, often followed by an evening community event or a quiet night at home preparing for the next day.

Lifestyle

Susana lives alone in a cozy apartment in the Chamberí district of Madrid, filled with plants and recycled decor. Her mornings begin with a strong café con leche and a quick scan of environmental news. She prioritizes her health, often opting for organic produce from local markets and enjoying weekend hikes in the nearby Sierra de Guadarrama. Financially, she's prudent, saving for future travel and professional development, but not averse to investing in quality, sustainable goods. Her social life revolves around close friends, many of whom share her passion for environmental causes, and occasional gatherings with her extended family.

Work life

As Program Director for a mid-sized environmental NGO, Susana's days are a dynamic mix of strategic planning, team management, and hands-on project oversight. She leads a dedicated team of eight, comprising both paid staff and committed volunteers, who are the engine behind their conservation initiatives. A significant portion of her time is spent ensuring project outcomes are meticulously tracked and donor data is managed effectively. This involves wrestling with their current system: a patchwork of free online forms and numerous local spreadsheets, which often leads to frustrating version control issues and data inconsistencies. The pressure to demonstrate impact to donors and stakeholders is constant, requiring her to be both organized and adaptable.

Relationships

Susana maintains strong ties with her parents and siblings, who live in a nearby town and often visit Madrid. Her closest friends are a mix of colleagues from the non-profit sector and university acquaintances who share her environmental ethos. She deeply values their support and often seeks their advice on both personal and professional matters. Her team members, particularly her senior volunteer coordinator, are also significant influences, providing daily insights and feedback.

How they decide

Susana approaches decisions methodically, weighing pros and cons carefully. She values input from her team and trusted colleagues, often seeking consensus. For significant organizational changes, she conducts thorough research, comparing options and considering long-term implications, especially regarding budget and resource allocation. She is not impulsive and prefers a structured approach to problem-solving.

How they sound

Susana speaks with a clear, measured cadence, her Spanish precise and articulate. She avoids overly casual slang, preferring professional yet approachable language. Her tone is generally warm and encouraging, especially when addressing her team, but can become firm and direct when discussing critical project details or organizational needs. She often uses phrases that emphasize collaboration and shared purpose, like 'entre todos' (among us all) or 'nuestro objetivo común' (our common objective).