Co-Founder of Yellow Cat Innovation, Digital Transformation Advisor at the UK Ministry of Defence & Associate Principal at Change Logic
Susie Braam’s Biography:
Susie Braam is an expert in corporate transformation and innovation with more than twenty years of experience driving change across the public sector. Having held senior leadership roles within government departments, including the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Susie has built a reputation for delivering innovation at scale within complex organisations. As a keynote speaker, she is hired for her practical insights into change management, digital transformation and innovation leadership, helping organisations understand how to navigate disruption while creating cultures that embrace change and future-focused thinking.
Susie’s academic journey began with a BA in History and Politics from the University of Exeter before completing an MA in Slavonic and East European Politics at University College London. Her public sector career progressed through a series of influential roles, beginning with leadership responsibilities in strategic intelligence and organisational development. In 2011, she became Head of Strategic Intelligence Assessments at the Ministry of Defence before moving into the role of HR Business Partner for Counter Terrorism in 2013. She later advanced into innovation leadership, becoming Head of Innovation at the Ministry of Defence in 2015 before taking on the same role at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in 2018.
Alongside her government leadership roles, Susie has expanded her expertise into consultancy and organisational change practice. She became a qualified Prosci Change Management Practitioner and, in 2020, co-founded Yellow Cat Innovation. Through this work she has supported organisations including NHS Scotland, the London Borough of Camden and Ayrshire College in developing innovation strategies and transformation programmes.
Further strengthening her impact across sectors, Susie became Digital Transformation Advisor at the Ministry of Defence in 2021 and later Associate Principal at Change Logic in 2023. Combining public sector leadership with hands-on transformation experience, she delivers practical and actionable perspectives on innovation, leadership and organisational change, helping audiences translate strategy into meaningful results.
Why Hire Susie Braam?
Susie is hired as a speaker because she brings together strategic leadership experience, innovation expertise and practical change management frameworks gained from some of the UK’s most complex organisations. Rather than focusing on theory, she shares real-world lessons from delivering transformation within government departments and public institutions. Audiences benefit from her insights into creating adaptable cultures, leading through uncertainty and embedding innovation into everyday practice. Her engaging and practical approach ensures leaders, teams and organisations leave with actionable ideas they can apply immediately.
Susie Braam’s Career Highlights:
Here are some of the key milestones that define Susie Braam’s remarkable career:
- 2023 – Joined Change Logic as Associate Principal, supporting organisations with transformation, innovation and change initiatives.
- 2021 – Became Digital Transformation Advisor at the UK Ministry of Defence, helping drive digital transformation strategies.
- 2020 – Co-founded Yellow Cat Innovation, providing innovation and transformation consultancy services.
- 2018 – Appointed Head of Innovation at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
- 2015 – Became Head of Innovation at the UK Ministry of Defence, leading innovation initiatives within the department.
- 2013 – Took on the role of HR Business Partner for Counter Terrorism, supporting organisational effectiveness and people strategy.
- 2011 – Appointed Head of Strategic Intelligence Assessments at the UK Ministry of Defence.
- 2002 – Completed an MA in Slavonic and East European Politics at University College London.
- 2000 – Graduated from the University of Exeter with a BA in History and Politics.
Videos
Susie Braam’s Official Keynote Speaking Videos & Showreel:
Testimonials
“I have worked with Susie since 2021 as part of developing our corporate innovation offer and she has been instrumental in helping my members frow their understanding and capabilities around using innovation to solve tricky challenges. What I have really enjoyed is learning about Susie’s own personal leadership journey which has helped shape the engaging way she is able to communicate with a wide variety of leaders at all levels within an organisation. She is my go-to speaker if I want someone to help an audience understand what corporate innovation is and how it can be used to address business challenges at speed and in a systematic way. A thorough knowledge of all the key elements of delivering innovation from ideation through to incubation and scaling.” – Ian Wright, Founder and Chief Executive, The Disruptive Innovators’ Network
“Having seen Susie speak at an external event with such impact, we invited her to keynote our company’s Change Leaders Forum. Her engagement with the audience landed very well as the session was interactive. From feedback across the group, our leaders found the talk interesting and something they could take forward. Personally, the ability to connect theory to practice by giving tangible examples and making the topic relatable supported the objectives we had for the day. Susie was a pleasure to work with. Very approachable, practical and well prepared. Nailed the brief that we had and Susie set the tone/energy for our day in her keynote which was exactly what was needed, and contributed to the success of the day.” – Jane Blackman, Assistant Director of Change and Innovation, Paradigm Housing
Speaking Topics
Susie Braam’s Official Keynote Topics:
- Innovation is High Risk, Right?
- Corporate Inertia and the Silent Killers of Innovation
- Finding and Nurturing your Organisational Catalysts
How Much Does Susie Braam Cost to Hire?
How Much Does it Cost to Hire Susie Braam?
Susie Braam’s speaking fees typically reflect her exceptional career and international demand. Engagements vary depending on location, format, and duration; keynote appearances, conferences, and international events may command higher fees due to travel and preparation requirements.