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Leadership communication specialist

Susan Heaton-Wright

Susan Heaton-Wright helps executives strengthen their leadership presence and impact in high-pressure environments. A leadership communication specialist and former opera performer, Susan equips senior leaders with practical tools for authentic influence and stakeholder engagement. Works with multinational clients across 140 countries including GSK, Bayer, and Johnson & Johnson.

Trusted by Zurich Resilience Solutions, GSK, Johnson & Johnson

Susan Heaton-Wright, Speaker | Exec Presence Coach
Susan Heaton-Wright

Susan Heaton-Wright

London, United Kingdom

Typical fee range

£2k–5k

This is an estimated fee range for local in-person events. Location and format affect the final fee.

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London, United Kingdom

Starting from

£2k–5k

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loading@getapeptalk.com

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+44 203 835 2929

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Susan Heaton-Wright's biography

At a glance

  • Former international opera soloist and communication expert
  • Neuroscience-informed strategist for leadership and executive presence
  • Winner of Best TEDx Speaker at The Speakers Awards 2026
Susan Heaton-Wright is a leadership communication specialist, TEDx speaker, and former international opera soloist who helps executives and emerging leaders strengthen presence, influence, and impact in high-pressure business environments. As founder and managing director of SuperStar Communicator, Susan delivers keynotes, masterclasses, workshops, and mentoring programmes to multinational companies and professional associations worldwide. She serves as joint launch leader for HBA Leadership Programmes in EMEA, co-hosts the SuperStar Communicator podcast, and is a contributing author to Business Development for Women Lawyers. Her work has earned recognition including Business Woman of the Year in Hertfordshire and a place in the f:entrepreneur Top 100 Inspirational Female Entrepreneurs list. Drawing on techniques from stage performance and neuroscience, Susan translates research into practical strategies that help leaders build trust, communicate with authority and perform effectively in complex, global and hybrid environments. Named Best TEDx Speaker at The Speakers Awards 2026, she has worked with clients including Zurich Insurance, GSK, Deloitte, Pfizer and AstraZeneca across more than 140 countries, focusing on executive presence, influence and the retention of high-potential talent. Audiences leave her sessions with practical techniques to strengthen executive presence, sharpen stakeholder communication, manage communication overload and improve talent retention, with insights they can apply immediately to real business challenges. Book Susan to equip your leaders with communication skills that deliver clarity, credibility and measurable results.

Susan's showreel and videos

Topics, sessions and talks

From Diva To Leader: Leaning Into Your Leadership
Susan Heaton-Wright shares her journey from operatic soloist to leadership communication expert, revealing what high performance looks like both on stage and in the boardroom. Susan explores executive presence, self-leadership, influence, and resilience, showing how leaders can perform under pressure, inspire confidence, and communicate authentically in demanding environments. The session blends personal insight with practical techniques that translate directly into stronger leadership behaviours.
The Maestro Effect: Valuing And Retaining Your Talent
Susan Heaton-Wright introduces The Maestro Effect, a leadership approach inspired by her TEDx talk and grounded in performance psychology. Susan demonstrates how leaders can identify hidden potential, recognise individual strengths, and create cultures where people feel valued and motivated. By drawing parallels with world-class orchestras, she shows how effective communication drives engagement, performance, and long-term talent retention in modern organisations.
Own Your Voice: Women Leading With Impact
Susan Heaton-Wright addresses the challenges women face when seeking influence and visibility in leadership roles. Susan shares research-led strategies from her SuperStar Communicator framework, focusing on credibility, confidence, and authentic communication. The session explores how women can amplify their voices, navigate organisational dynamics, and lead with authority, while staying aligned with their personal values and leadership identity.
Be Seen; Be Heard; Make An Impact
Susan Heaton-Wright explores what sets high-potential leaders apart in competitive organisational environments. Susan presents her SuperStar Communicator framework, focusing on executive presence, clarity of message, and persuasive communication. The session equips emerging and established leaders with practical tools to engage stakeholders, influence decision-making, and build strong professional relationships across global and hybrid teams.
Surviving Communication Overload In A Noisy World
Susan Heaton-Wright examines the impact of constant digital communication on productivity, wellbeing, and leadership effectiveness. Susan shares findings from her research into communication overload, exploring boundaries, behavioural change, and smarter communication structures. The session offers practical strategies for managing attention, reducing noise, and using technology more effectively without losing human connection.

Why we recommend booking Susan

Susan Heaton-Wright blends stage performance expertise and neuroscience to help leaders communicate with clarity, confidence, and authority in any business setting. Her global expertise across 140+ countries with industry giants like Johnson & Johnson and GSK delivers proven strategies that enhance leadership presence and drive tangible business outcomes.

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Trusted by Zurich Resilience Solutions, GSK, Johnson & Johnson

Testimonials

Susan, it is my great pleasure to share that your talk was very well received by the entire European Leadership Summit. From a personal perspective, I finally exhaled when you took your first step on stage. You were simply magnificent. I truly believe that you mesmerized the entire audience and set a very high bar!

Leanna J Casey

Conference Organiser, European Leadership Summit

I have had great experience working with Susan on delivering a workshop to support our stakeholders in the Middle East region. it was so easy working with Susan. She understood our requirements, what we wanted and how she needed to customise the content for the audience; the content and delivery was great and we received great feedback from the attendees. I would definitely ask Susan to do another workshop for our members in the region.

Fazeela Gopolani

Middle East Head, ACCA

I had the pleasure of connecting with Susan to speak at our company's International Women's Day event on behalf of our Employee Resource Group (ERG): Women@Haleon. Her session on "Raise Your Visibility for Career Success" was nothing short of exceptional. Susan brought an incredible energy to the event, captivating the audience from the moment she began. Her enthusiasm and passion for empowering women in their careers were truly infectious. She provided many of practical tips and strategies that were immediately actionable, making her advice not only insightful but also highly applicable to our professional lives. Her engaging presentation style and real-world examples resonated deeply with our people. I am extremely grateful for Susan's contribution to our event. Her session was a highlight of the day, offering valuable tools for enhancing our professional visibility and advancing our careers. I highly recommend Susan to any organization looking to inspire and empower their team. Thank you, Susan, for your incredible energy and the practical tips you shared with us!

Dianne Ferreira da Silva

Procurement Manager, Haleon

Featured Projects

Susan Heaton-Wright - Superstar Communicator podcast cover
Susan Heaton-Wright - Business Development For Women Lawyers (Contributor) book cover

frequently asked questions

Something we've not covered here?

How do I book Susan Heaton-Wright for my next event?
Email susan.heaton.wright@getapeptalk.com or call PepTalk on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US), and one of our speaker agents will contact you within hours to confirm Susan's availability and fees. If you can, please include your budget upfront – it helps us fast-track your request. It’s also helpful to know the date, format (virtual or in-person), location, and a bit about your audience.

What is Susan Heaton-Wright's speaking style like?
Susan Heaton-Wright draws on her background as a former international opera soloist to deliver sessions that blend performance psychology with neuroscience-informed communication strategies. Using her SuperStar Communicator framework and The Maestro Effect — a leadership model developed from her TEDx talk — she translates techniques from stage performance into practical tools for executive presence, influence, and talent retention.

What topics does Susan Heaton-Wright specialise in?
Susan Heaton-Wright's sessions cover leadership communication and executive presence, talent identification and retention, and women's visibility and influence in leadership. She was named Best TEDx Speaker at The Speakers Awards 2026 and has delivered programmes to clients including Zurich Insurance, GSK, Deloitte, Pfizer and AstraZeneca across more than 140 countries.

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To get the sharpest shortlist, share your event date, audience, format, key objectives, and budget. A rough idea is enough to start. The more context PepTalk has, the more precisely the team can match a speaker to your brief. Send it via getapeptalk.com.

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There is no additional cost to you beyond the speaker's fee. PepTalk's service, from shortlist to on-the-day logistics, is included. For repeat or multi-event bookings, the team can agree preferential rates with your procurement department. Email hello@getapeptalk.com to discuss.

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I need a last-minute speaker. Can PepTalk help?

Yes. PepTalk regularly handles last-minute requests and can secure or replace a speaker, host, or comedian quickly, often within days. Availability narrows as the date nears, so get in touch as early as you can. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with your requirements.

How much does it cost to book a speaker through PepTalk?

Speaker fees vary by profile, format, and location. In the UK and Europe, virtual keynotes typically start around GBP 2,000, with top in-person speakers reaching GBP 25,000+; in the US, fees run from about USD 5,000 to USD 100,000+. Share your budget at getapeptalk.com and we'll shortlist to fit.

Can I book a speaker who isn't listed on the PepTalk website?

Yes. If a speaker isn't listed, tell PepTalk their name and the team will approach them for you. The network extends well beyond the public roster, and PepTalk regularly books speakers who don't appear on the site. Email hello@getapeptalk.com with the name.

How quickly will I get a speaker shortlist?

You'll receive a hand-picked shortlist within 24 hours of sharing your brief. Each suggestion comes with profiles, fees, and PepTalk's recommendation on the strongest fit. If you need options sooner for an urgent event, say so and the team will move faster. Start at getapeptalk.com.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a booking?

Most bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker and are set out clearly in the contract before you confirm, so there are no surprises. PepTalk's team supports you through any change. Contact hello@getapeptalk.com as soon as plans shift.

Can PepTalk help plan the speaker programme for my event?

Yes. Beyond booking a single speaker, PepTalk helps shape a full programme, matching voices to your agenda, audience, and goals across a day or a series. It is a consultative service, not just a booking. Tell us about your event at getapeptalk.com.

What does 'typical fee range' mean?

Speaker fees vary based on factors like event location, format, and availability. The 'typical fee range' figure gives you a baseline of someone's local, in-person rate sits, and we'll confirm the exact fee when you get in touch.

What logistics should I prepare before my speakers arrive?

Before your speakers arrive, confirm AV is tested, a green room is ready, and printed schedules are on hand. Prepare warm introductions for each speaker and brief your team on timings. PepTalk speakers come fully briefed, making event-day logistics smoother and stress-free from the start.

What's the difference between a keynote speaker, an MC, and event entertainment?

A keynote speaker delivers an inspiring or informative talk. An MC hosts and guides the event, keeping things on track. Entertainment — like a band or comedian — creates atmosphere and fun. Each serves a different purpose, and PepTalk can help you book the right talent for all three.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule a speaker booking?

Life happens! Most speaker bookings can be rescheduled with reasonable notice. Cancellation terms vary by speaker, but PepTalk handles all the details & contracts transparently upfront so there are no surprises. Our team supports you through any changes, making the process as smooth as possible.

Have all the speakers on the website previously worked with PepTalk?

Not necessarily. While the speakers listed on our website may not have worked with PepTalk in the past, they are recognized professionals in the industry and known to engage in similar events and engagements. Alongside direct talent, we work with a wide variety of speaker agents and talent agencies, to ensure we have the best selection of speakers, hosts, comedians and entertainers available.

What information do I need to provide when booking a comedian?

When booking a comedian, share your event format, audience size and demographics, any sensitive topics to avoid, and the tone you're after. PepTalk makes this easy — their booking process guides you through a simple checklist so nothing gets missed and your comedian is perfectly matched to your crowd.

What information do I need to provide when booking a speaker?

When booking a speaker, you'll need your event date, audience details, format, key objectives, and budget. Having these ready makes the process smooth and straightforward. PepTalk's team uses this information to match you with the perfect speaker quickly and efficiently.

Can I book entertainment and speakers as a package?

Yes! At PepTalk, you can absolutely bundle entertainment and speakers into one seamless package. It's a great way to create a fuller event experience while enjoying simplified booking and better value. Our team handles everything together, making the process effortless for you.

Can I request autographs, personal greetings, signed merchandise, or fan mail from the speakers?

Sorry, we do not accept requests for autographs, signed merchandise, fan mail, or any non-commercial contact with the speakers, comedians or entertainers.

How can I report an issue or make changes to an expert profile?

If you notice something that needs attention or have any queries regarding an expert speaker profile, please email us at experts@getapeptalk.com, and we’ll be happy to assist.

How far in advance should I book a motivational speaker?

Book a motivational speaker at least 3–6 months in advance, especially for popular speakers or large events. Top speakers get booked quickly, so earlier is always better. For major conferences or peak seasons, booking 12 months ahead ensures you secure your first choice.

Can I book a speaker for a virtual or hybrid event?

Yes. Most PepTalk speakers deliver virtual and hybrid sessions with live Q&A, and virtual keynotes usually cost less than in-person because there is no travel. Tell us your platform and format and we'll match speakers experienced in online delivery. Start at getapeptalk.com.

How do I brief an insights speaker on my organisation's strategic context?

Share your organisation's top 3 strategic priorities, current challenges, and the audience's role in delivering them. A simple one-page brief works perfectly. PepTalk speakers use this context to tailor insights that feel genuinely relevant — making your event far more impactful.

Can event entertainers customise their act for my company or industry?

Yes! Most event entertainers are happy to tailor their act to your brand, industry, or theme. From weaving in company jokes to incorporating your branding into their performance, personalisation makes all the difference. PepTalk's entertainers specialise in bespoke experiences that feel made just for your audience.