Suzanne Edmond

Suzanne spent twenty years working in international, corporate, government, and charity communications, advising senior leaders and ministers on controversial and high-profile issues while leading teams through times of national crisis, including Brexit and Covid.

Having worked as a senior adviser to Secretaries of State, Suzanne provides a unique insight into what it was like to work at the heart of a government when the country was in crisis. Reflecting on this turbulent period and leading communications for pivotal national events, Suzanne highlights the critical skills that every leader needs to thrive in high-pressure business situations.

She also offers an honest and raw account of how it felt to walk away from a 20-year career after realising she was experiencing burnout and no longer getting the best out of herself. She reflects on the impact of working under intense and unrelenting environments, sharing her highs, lows, and the lessons she learned. Suzanne also shares how this experience inspired her to pioneer a new approach to communications consultancy and challenge the assertion that senior leaders don’t need positive encouragement or support.

As the first (or at least the most vocal) openly dyslexic Director of Communications in Government, Suzanne is also a strong advocate for neurodiversity. She shares her personal journey, having only found out she was dyslexic in her thirties, and provides an honest account of her struggles. She also explores the advantages that embracing dyslexic thinking can bring to creative communications, effective engagement, and inclusive leadership.

Suzanne’s talks have been described as inspirational, engaging, and informative by brands including Amazon, Deloitte, Tesco, and the University of Manchester. Suzanne herself is described as wonderfully witty, warm, and a role model for how dyslexia can be turned into a superpower. She comes highly recommended for anyone seeking insights on creating leadership and an effective culture.

Suzanne’s Keynotes include:

• Burning out Brightly
• Communicating with Dyslexia
• Leading through Crisis