Compassion over self-criticism. Grace over judgment. Presence over proving. This is the leadership that earns trust, fuels performance, and changes what’s possible.
Compassion over self-criticism. Grace over judgment. Presence over proving. This is the leadership that earns trust, fuels performance, and changes what’s possible.
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Meet Susan
Hi, I’m Susan.
I help leaders return to their inner source of strength so they can lead themselves and others with
clarity, compassion, and courage. When you know the value you bring, you stop hustling for your
worth and start leading from it.
But leadership isn’t only about valuing yourself. It’s about valuing others just as fully. When
leaders think they have all the answers, they unintentionally shut down the voices, ideas, and
contributions that could unlock their team’s best performance.
The best leaders know their own worth, and they make sure others feel theirs too.
I’ve spent my career guiding leaders to build workplaces where people thrive and business
results follow—rooted in respect, trust, and human connection. As the founding CEO of the
Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership and the Deloitte Ellen Gabriel Chair for
Women and Leadership, I’ve partnered with hundreds of organizations to create high-
performing, people-centered cultures.
I’ve also shared what I’ve learned through my own journey in four books, with my fifth on the way. My upcoming book, All the Difference: Six Leadership Actions to Bridge Perspectives, Strengthen Teams, and Create Value
(Harvard Business Review Press, Spring 2026), co-authored with Stuart Kliman and LTG Leslie
C. Smith (ret.), offers leaders a roadmap for turning difference into a driver of connection and
performance.
I’m a practical girl at heart, shaped by my childhood on a farm near a small whaling port
village on Martha’s Vineyard. Growing up on an island off the coast of Cape Cod, I learned to
work hard, dream big, and appreciate the beauty of nature. I love to be near, on, or in the
water—it’s where I find perspective and replenish my energy.
I’m also the proud mom of two extraordinary daughters, whose strength and spirit inspire me
daily, and the devoted dog mom to two lively, lovable Portuguese Water Dogs who keep life
joyful and full of energy.
Read my latest blog: Stop Hustling for Your Worth. Start Leading From It.
Books
My books share a common aim: to help leaders bring out the best in themselves and others. They combine research, lived experience, and practical frameworks to tackle the toughest challenges—whether it’s silencing your inner critic, having the hard conversations, or bridging divides. Each one is about creating the conditions where people can thrive and perform at their best, even when the pressure is on.
Work With Susan
Keynotes that Spark Change
When I’m on stage, my goal is simple: to wake leaders up to what matters most. I bring stories, research, and straight talk that inspire leaders to lead with grounded confidence, to turn friction into fuel, and to see difference as a driver of performance. I want people leaving the room thinking differently, and, ready to act.
“Susan is high energy and high impact. You leave any time spent with her feeling inspired to do more and be even better.”
– Kim Cockrell, CHRO, Toyota Motor Manufacturers
Executive Coaching & Strategic Advising
I work with senior leaders who are ready to lead with clarity, courage, and humanity. Together, we uncover what’s getting in the way, sharpen your vision, and strengthen your ability to bring out the best in others. My approach is honest, strategic, and always grounded in respect for who you are and who you’re becoming.
Team & Group Facilitation
Teams can get stuck. In silos, in conflict, or simply in the day-to-day grind. I design and lead sessions that create space for real conversation, fresh thinking, and stronger connection. Whether we’re tackling conflict, bridging differences, or aligning around a shared mission, I help groups move from tension to trust to results.
Keynotes
According to the Simmons University 2024 Thrive Index™, people thrive at work when they are
making a meaningful contribution, being recognized for it, and continuously learning and
growing. What’s even more compelling? When people thrive, they give more discretionary effort
and top talent stays longer.
My keynotes are designed to help leaders and organizations unlock this opportunity. I share
practical ways to boost productivity, engagement, and well-being while navigating the realities
of 2025 and beyond. Each session offers guidance on leadership practices, self-determination,
and growth opportunities, while also addressing the challenges that can derail progress.
Choose the keynote that resonates most with your goals, and let’s create an environment where
people thrive, trust grows, and performance accelerates.
Leading with Care, Delivering with Accountability
Organizations thrive when leaders balance two essentials: care for people and accountability for
results. Too much care without accountability stalls progress. Too much accountability without
care erodes trust. The challenge of leadership today is finding the right balance between both.
In this keynote, I share what it takes to be a Connected Leader, someone who fuels results and
relationships at the same time.
Leaders who master this balance do more than avoid disengagement. They build thriving cultures
where people want to belong and deliver their best.
I show leaders how to::
• Fuel results and relationships together
• Manage themselves while having uncomfortable conversations
• Return to their best self when dynamics get tricky
• Use vulnerability as a tool for showing care
• Create cultures where accountability feels fair and care is authentic
All the Difference: Bridging Perspectives to Strengthen Teams and Accelerate Organizational Performance
Today’s workplace is filled with difference—of perspective, style, identity, and interest. When
leaders are emotionally and relationally ready, these differences become a powerful source of
innovation, trust, and results. When handled poorly, they erode value, drain energy, and stall
performance.
Drawing from my forthcoming book All the Difference (Harvard Business Review Press, 2026),
co-authored with General Leslie Smith and Stuart Kliman, I share insights and stories that help
leaders see difference as raw material for progress, not friction. Through storytelling, truth telling, and humor, I show leaders how to face conflict directly and handle tough conversations
with emotional intelligence.
Participants will leave with:
• A framework for seeing difference as an opportunity to create, not lose, value
• Practical actions to navigate conflict and repair relationships when things go wrong
• The confidence to lead with both clarity and care, fueling stronger performance and outcomes
Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Every Leader
How can leaders flourish as their best selves, inspire excellence in their teams while
safeguarding their own well-being, and at the same time lead fulfilled lives?
In this engaging keynote, I bring seven powerful practices to life, offering women—and the men
who work alongside them—a practical roadmap to thrive in leadership.
This keynote is powered by the best-selling book Arrive & Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for
Women Navigating Leadership, which I co-authored with Simmons University President Dr.
Lynn Perry Wooten and former Deloitte board chair Janet Foutty. It equips leaders to make a
bigger impact and role-model what thriving in leadership truly looks like.
Participants will discover:
• Why thriving matters and how people experience it at work
• What the seven practices are and how to apply them for personal growth and in coaching others
• Why it is essential to start with understanding yourself as your best self, and how to return there
when setbacks knock you off balance
From Inner Critic to Inner Champion: Unlocking Peak Leadership Performance
Every leader carries an inner critic, a persistent voice that casts doubt, fuels comparison, and
holds us back from our potential. Left unchecked, this voice chips away at confidence, clouds
judgment, and limits both team and organizational success.
The most effective leaders learn to replace that critic with their Inner Champion, the voice of
clarity, courage, and self-belief that empowers them to lead with authenticity and impact. In this
energizing keynote, I share practical tools, relatable stories, and proven strategies for
transforming moments of self-doubt into opportunities for growth.
When leaders call on their Inner Champion, they elevate their own performance and inspire those
around them to thrive. This keynote is inspired in part by my first two books, The 30 Second
Guide to Coaching Your Inner Critic (Linkage, 2015) and Mastering Your Inner Critic & 7
Other High Hurdles to Advancement (McGraw-Hill, 2018).
Participants will learn to:
• Recognize how the inner critic shows up and undermines leadership
• Activate their Inner Champion to reset in moments of pressure or uncertainty
• Lead with greater confidence, presence, and positive influence
Musings, Media & Love
Here’s where you’ll find the words, voices, and connections that fuel my work—along with a little love from the people and partners who know it best.
Musings
I write and speak about what it really takes to lead yourself and others well, especially when the stakes are high, perspectives differ, and the path forward isn’t obvious. My reflections are rooted in research, lived experience, and conversations with extraordinary leaders. You can explore more in my latest blog posts, keynote themes, and books.
Love
“As a leadership wellbeing expert, Susan turns complex interpersonal concepts—psychological safety, inclusive leadership, emotional clarity—into clear, operational advice.”
“Susan is high energy and high impact. You leave any time spent with her feeling inspired to do more and be even better.”
“Susan’s authenticity, care, and expertise shine through. She encourages leaders to be bold while honoring connection.”
“Susan is authentic, wise, and her wisdom lingers long after you’ve heard it.”
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