Stephanie Tsuru

About Stephanie Tsuru

Driven by curiosity and inspired by a lineage of female trailblazers, I made a shift from a 25-year career in the healthcare industry to embracing the world of entrepreneurship and advocacy and have spent the last several years leveraging those experiences into creating communities, spaces, and opportunities for women in Houston, and beyond. Fueled by the tools I gained in my graduate studies at Rice University, and compelled by experiences I had witnessing the potential innovative, and powerful connections women form when provided a neutral, physical space that emphasizes commonalities, over differences - I co-founded SheSpace in 2020, a dynamic space dedicated to the empowerment of women through work, meetings, and programming. Since opening, our community of women has grown exponentially and created a demand for similar spaces throughout the greater Houston region. To meet the needs, we expanded our original Lower Heights location within a year of opening, and now with 3 years of experience, we are in the process of opening new SheSpaces for women west and south of Houston. I am passionate about sharing my experiences, wisdom and lessons learned from the vibrant women of SheSpace and the of community of women with whom I interact daily. I also embrace the responsibility of using my voice to inspire, educate and empower others through facilitating, speaking opportunities, and creating connections. Outside the office, you\'ll find me soaking up life as a devoted wife, mom, and grandma, pouring my heart into projects that matter—like launching Houston\'s cutting-edge mobile library fleet because books hold power, supporting the Houston Ballet, and championing our cities beautiful green-spaces through the Hermann Park Conservancy.

Experience

1. Founder

   Shespace

   Jun 2019 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Opening 2020 in the Lower Heights District, Houston.SheSpace is a work and meeting place where bold women gather to find community, amplify ambition, and propel their dreams forward. Our mission is to create clear pathways for women to accomplish personal and professional goals through the convenience of a female-dedicated space.SheSpace envisions a city where women have an inclusive place to unite, network and work unencumbered.

Education

• The University of Kansas

  Bachelor's degree, Occupational Therapy/Therapist

  1978 — 1982

• Rice University

  Leadership Accelerator

  2019 — 2019

• Rice University Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

  Master's degree, Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies

  2013 — 2016