Susan Shomali

Owner/Academic & Career Advisor

(503) 899-2530

forwardfocusedinfo@gmail.com

Areah Shomali

Academic & Career Advisor

(503) 899-2530

forwardfocusedinfo@gmail.com

About Us

We are a mother & daughter team who are passionate about everything we do and all of the incredible people we work with. We see value in a college education that leads to fulfilling not only a student’s career goals but also embraces their personal gifts, skills, achievements and future accomplishments.


Together, we listen to students & parents' stories, goals, fears and unique personal situations in order to develop a path for a forward focused future for every student.


Susan & Areah

Susan Shomali

Susan comes from an extremely diverse education background. Growing up, she attended public school in Colorado, Oklahoma and California until high school. On her 14th birthday, she moved to Watford, England where she completed her high school diploma and her first year of college at the International University - Europe, where she also met her husband at age 16. Susan completed her formal education with a bachelor of science degree from United States International University -San Diego, California.


Her and her husband were married in June of 1987 in San Diego, California where she began a 5 year career with Marriott Corporation as a food service director at Point Loma Nazarene College, Christian Heritage College, Reed College in Portland, Oregon and eventually moving to the business food service division at Consolidated Freightways headquarters in Portland. Susan has always had a deep interest in helping young people and adults to grow into their full capabilities by providing continued career growth in each of her teams. This included working with adults with special needs through training and permanent employment within Marriott Corporation.


In 1991, Susan and her husband welcomed their first of three daughters into the world. Becoming a full time mom was a dream come true. After five years, she became a homeschool mom until all of her daughters reached college. During her homeschooling years she created Columbia County homeschoolers, an inclusive support group for homeschooling families in Columbia County, Oregon.


As their two oldest daughters grew into teenagers, the focus became all about new experiences and growing opportunities for them to learn about the world and discover their passions for future education and careers. These experiences included multiple volunteer programs, sports, paid employment and learning life skills. As college planning for the girls came, Susan learned everything she could to understand the complexity of college admissions and this quickly became her passion, not only for her own daughters but for other students as well.


Encouraging teens and adults to recognize and apply their strengths, gifts and talents towards their future endeavors is a big part of the work she does. She sees the best in each student and works personally with each and every one to help pave a solid path towards their future goals and aspirations.


Susan is a member of (PNACAC) Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling, (PACCC) Portland Area College Counselors Consortium, ASPIRE Oregon, and the Beaverton Chamber of Commerce.


Susan also enjoys international travel with her family, swimming, kayaking, watching the birds in her backyard, reading nonfiction, cooking for family and friends, and enjoying life with her husband and adult daughters.