Suzanne is a naturally energising, heart-warming and uplifting speaker.
The undercurrent theme of her topics about humanity, leadership and progress helps the audience grow their thinking and access newfound possibilities in their mind, heart and worlds.
keynotes
TAKE THE RISK
& DO THE THING!
This talk is designed for people driving ideas that matter - inside organisations that are ready to move bold ideas into the world but keep hitting hesitation at the edge of what feels commercially safe, politically acceptable, or personally exposed.
Whether you’re launching something new, backing a provocative message, or shifting direction inside a complex system, the truth is… ideas that matter usually come with tension. This session helps participants identify and work through that tension in a structured, practical way.
You will experience:
A clear framework to map where an idea, project, or decision sits across three risk zones:
→ Personal Risk – reputation, visibility, emotional investment
→ Causal Risk – what the work provokes or disrupts
→ Commercial Risk – how it lands with customers, funders, or stakeholders
AND
→ Tools to test and shape ideas before they’re watered down or over-polished
→ A way to move from overthinking into intentional, values-aligned action.
This is not a motivational talk (but you will be moved) - it’s a behavioural, strategic session to help people build the confidence and clarity to move. Especially when they’re sitting on something that could make a real difference, if only they had the traction.
Perfect for conferences focused on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and meaningful change.
A FLOURISHING MIND: TAP INTO YOURS
This funny, honest, revealing keynote unpacks the three things that Suzanne puts at the top of her behavioural work as most significant when wanting to flourish in work and life.
> Increasing self-trust and self-determination
> We have more choice than we realise
> Kindness of strangers (that stranger is often you)
Flourishing is a tad grittier than one might expect. It encompasses all the facets of life’s glory, the adverse and joyful (and everything in between). You would have noticed by now; life isn’t all rosy. With her masterful simplicity, storytelling and practical advice, Suzanne leads you to the path of flourishing within no time. The audience laughs through and loves every step of the way.
After a traumatic childhood, Suzanne Waldron has become fascinated with how humans work and how to make most of life in the ever-changing moments of dark and light. In her first published book A Flourishing Mind she takes the reader on a journey of harsh realities of humanity and why compassion could be the answer to many difficulties in life.
In this keynote of the same name, she calls people to find within them the integrity and kindness needed to lead and act in ways that promotes life, not confine it.
My place as a speaker is to create an environment where the audience can consider, decide, change, intend and dream into new ways of being or thinking. I’ve made a vow to myself that my time on stage is never about me, but about us. A co-creation of connection and stories that deliver an experience both the organiser and audience value and feel glad to have spent time participating in.
I take design seriously ensuring the content and approach directly relate to the frame of the event and audience. I have a signature style of no slides, no props, lots of truth and lots of humour! Every keynote is designed to keep people engaged through natural interaction, compelling story and personal connection.
I love feeling the energy and air of possibility when people feel spoken with, not to. My favourite post conference comment from an audience member was “I felt like I was in a deep conversation with you, and then realised there were hundreds of others in the room with us!
In Action
Suzanne was engaged to design, curate and produce this entire campaign for HIF’s contribution to Mental Health Care Week. Watch Suzanne deliver her heartfelt message in a unique way, about connecting with what we have in common (rather than what divides us) with compassion and care.
Soundfair launched the HearMe Report to centre the lived experience of people with hearing conditions and call for society-wide change. Keynote speakers Minister Mark Coulton, Suzanne Waldron and Dr Caitlin Barr were joined by MC Josh Piterman.
Suzanne’s keynote commences at the 14.15 mark.
What people say
“What an incredibly amazing experience to witness Suzanne’s recent keynote speech, at the BOMA Hawaii Leadership Symposium, “The Impact of Genuine”. An engaging interactive experience and reminded us to be genuine and true to ourselves. She had my team, during and after her session, buzzing with renewed excitement. Suzanne is an inspiring person in every way and I look forward to reading her book; “A Flourishing Mind”. ~ from my Hawaii team at Shidler. Thank You!”
“Suzanne gave an amazing keynote via video link at the launch of Soundfair’s HearMe Report. Using stories of lived experience and her deep insights into humans and their behaviour, Suzanne not only wove magic, she also galvanised change. People walked in wearing their professional ‘armour’ and the blinkers that come with one perspective, but walked out disarmed, seeing a broader vista and ready to champion change. We could not have had a more perfect and effective speaker - even beaming in remotely, her warmth, energy and compassion filled the room and people’s hearts.”
“I just attended the workshop that you gave for Audiology Australia and I wish to convey my very sincere thanks and gratitude. Over many years I have attended talks and presentations for many different audiences, sport, business, education, motivation and sales etc and your presentation was the most engaging, nurturing, engaging and liberating session I have ever had the pleasure to attend. Thank you so very much you have presented an approach to speaking which becomes an extension of clinical service and makes the process much less daunting.”
“Thank you so much for your energy, wisdom, ability to engage and to thoughtfully challenge people on various things that were raised! You managed that beautifully – thank you. Many thanks for everything, yesterday, and in the lead up to it – for taking the time to get to know and understand your audience of DCJ Peer Support Officers.”
