Susan Braun

Enterprise reinvention executive and trusted CEO advisor with 20+ years leading organizations through unfamiliar, high-stakes change. Serves as strategic and operational partner to CEOs, Boards, and private equity sponsors, converting ambitious vision into enterprise-wide execution through governance design, operating model transformation, and disciplined decision systems. Recognized for bringing clarity to complex enterprise challenges — unifying 13 legacy brands into a single global organization of approximately 1,300 employees, partnering with the CIO to advance enterprise technology and AI-enabled transformation, and building the first enterprise-wide competency framework to align talent strategy with business strategy.

A calm, steady leader through CEO transitions, M&A integration, and periods of significant organizational change, valued for translating strategic ambiguity into aligned, accelerated execution. Consistently trusted by CEOs, Boards, and private equity sponsors at pivotal inflection points, she brings a rare combination of enterprise transformation expertise, operating model redesign discipline, and AI-enabled business transformation fluency to organizations navigating their most consequential moments of change.

SVP, Strategy & Transformation | Chief of Staff to CEO at MATERIAL (2020-01 – Present)

Enterprise executive and strategic partner to the CEO for a ~$300M global insights, technology, and marketing services company, connecting executive decision-making, Board priorities, enterprise alignment, and cross-functional execution.

• Architected enterprise governance, executive operating cadence, and decision-making forums that improved organizational alignment and accelerated the pace of enterprise-wide decisions.
• Led enterprise transformation initiatives spanning operating model redesign, organizational integration, and go-to-market evolution, unifying 13 legacy brands into a single global organization supporting approximately 1,300 employees worldwide.
• Partnered with the CIO and AI leadership to shape enterprise technology strategy, align business and technology priorities, and guide modernization of legacy research platforms while advancing next-generation AI-enabled products and capabilities.
• Partnered with the Chief People Officer to strengthen organizational effectiveness through operating model design, leadership alignment, role architecture, and development of the company's first enterprise-wide competency framework, creating a unified foundation for performance, capability building, talent mobility, and career development.
• Serve as trusted advisor to the CEO, Board of Directors, and private equity sponsors on enterprise strategy, recapitalization, due diligence, and long-range planning — providing critical continuity of strategy and operating rhythm through the company's 2025 CEO transition.

Chief Operating and Talent Officer at KELTON GLOBAL (2010-01 – 2020-12)

Partnered with founders to build and scale a renowned design-led insights, brand, and communications business, building the operating infrastructure and talent foundation behind its growth and eventual sale.

• Partnered with founders to build and scale a renowned design-led insights, brand, and communications business, driving approximately 25% CAGR over 8 years.
• Recruited top talent and built the infrastructure to empower cross-disciplinary teams and offices across Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, cultivating a collaborative, creative culture from the ground up.
• Served as a key member of the executive leadership team, shaping organizational strategy, talent processes, and operating structure to support a fast-growing, multi-office business model.
• Served as key operating leader and active participant in Kelton's 2018 sale to Material, driving critical aspects of the transaction process.
• Led integration of Kelton and five other acquired brands into Material, driving synergies and contributing to approximately $100M in combined revenue.

Project Manager, Corporate Human Resources at The Walt Disney Company (2004-01 – 2010-12)

• Served as core team member on the launch of The Walt Disney Company's new Employee Engagement Survey and the redesign of the Corporate Human Resources organization.

Associate Director, Member Services at CEB Inc. (now part of Gartner) (2004-01 – 2010-12)

• Managed $2M in contract value relationships with CFO-level executives at CEB Inc., delivering consultative services through an annual subscription model.

BBA in Finance – THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY

– RICHMOND, THE AMERICAN UNIVERSITY IN LONDON