Suzanne Bates

SVP, Global Head of Executives and Teams, BTS

Partner Emeritus at BTS, a global professional services firm, with over two decades of expertise in advising Fortune 500 CEOs, boards, and senior executives on strategy execution, leadership capabilities, and organizational growth.

Prior experience as entrepreneur, CEO and Chairman of a firm that developed acclaimed leadership models, assessments and programs. Led merger with BTS, scaling the executive advisory practice and expanding a global footprint.

Today, as advisor, mentor, and board member, provide guidance to corporate and not-for-profit organizations on strategy, risk, reputation, leadership, succession, innovating IP and new products, marketing and sales, to build long-term value.

Early career experience in media as news reporter and anchor, public speaker, and author of five books including a McGraw Hill Business Classic.

Publications

Blog Posts
December 1, 2022
How to become the leader people want to work for in challenging times
Suzanne Bates, managing director of BTS, Boston, shares how to become the leader people want to work for in challenging times.
Blog Posts
August 25, 2022
Future-proofing your company is a team sport
Being ready for recession means asking your teams to think differently.
Blog Posts
August 9, 2022
What now, recession?
During a crisis, some rise to the occasion, while others are less resilient. Leaders must help their teams navigate these uncertain times.
Blog Posts
December 18, 2020
Choosing the next CEO: why start now?
Suzanne Bates shares reasons that CEOs should start thinking about their own successor during their own first 90 days.
Blog Posts
June 24, 2020
Advice from a television news anchor: how to “leap through the camera” with virtual presence
A well-run meeting can democratize debate, encourage participation, foster diversity of thought, and speed work to get more done.
Blog Posts
April 24, 2020
Demonstrating Executive Presence During the COVID-19 Crisis
Explore five executive presence qualities leaders need during a crisis: composure, interactivity, resonance, authenticity, and vision.
Podcasts
November 2, 2022
Engaging the C-suite
Suzanne Bates, SVP, Global Head of Executives & Teams, draws on decades of experience to help others establish executive presence.
Podcast cover for Fearless Thinkers featuring a black and white photo of a smiling woman with blonde hair in a light blazer.
Podcasts
November 2, 2022
Selling to the C-suite
In Pt. 2 of this interview with Suzanne Bates, SVP, Global Head of Executives & Teams, learn how to leverage mindsets to sell to the C-suite.
Whitepapers
February 15, 2023
The next generation team: an "outside-in" perspective
It’s commonly understood today that simply hiring great individual leaders won’t be enough to make your company successful. The work of the organization gets done in teams.
Videos
March 17, 2023
2023 Leadership trends
Suzanne Bates, Managing Director, BTS Boston, shares the greatest challenges that companies will face during a recession and how they're able to get ahead of them.
Videos
March 17, 2023
Bringing talent together
Watch Suzanne Bates explain how companies can retain top talent and seize hiring opportunities during a recession by planning ahead.
Videos
March 17, 2023
Three impactful trends
How the recession may have an impact
Join us

Interested in joining the BTS team?

BTS is working to modernize business culture around the globe. We’re looking for creative, courageous, and empathetic individuals who want to help individuals and teams find a greater purpose in their work. We love what we do, and we think you would too.

Four smiling women standing together at a conference, wearing badges and business casual attire.