Susan and her husband, David Slansky, started Journeys of the Heart as a nonprofit adoption agency in 1993. Together, they have built their family through international adoption, with children from India, China and Romania. Susan also has a birth son. Susan grew up in Oregon and earned bachelors and masters degrees in social work from Portland State University. Before starting Journeys of the Heart, Susan was a social worker for 20 years. She supervises all aspects of Journeys' adoption work in both the Oregon and Illinois offices. In addition, she trains and supervises Journeys' social workers, teaches adoption education classes, and represents the agency to the public. Susan has published numerous articles on adoption issues in books, magazines and newsletters.

Susan says:  "As an adolescent when I first start thinking- About having a family I knew that I wanted to take a child who was not initially my own to protect and nurture.  I was instantly attracted to children overseas who were living in poverty or in orphanages and that’s where our three children have come from.  However, from all these years of working in adoption, if I were to start over again (and how I wish I could) I see the beauty in domestic adoption where open relationships are viable and where children are also truly in need.  Adoption is something that has satisfied my heart ever since I laid eyes on my dark haired beauty from India.  To work helping other families know the joys of adoption continues to satisfy my heart and spirit."