Meet Suzie

Suzie Thoraval in the office talking with a client and writing notes in a notebook

I’m passionate about helping you maintain calm and thrive

Rooted in Resilience

I know what it’s like to face uncertainty — not just professionally, but personally.

Growing up as a young carer for my mother, who lived with mental health challenges, I learned early how to create steadiness in the face of unpredictability. Life didn’t hand me a roadmap, so I built my own: by focusing on what I could control, trusting my instincts, and holding onto my inner equilibrium.

That grounding has stayed with me — through every reinvention, transition, and leadership challenge since.

Leadership Built on Experience, Not Just Theory

Over the past 20+ years, I’ve led in roles across law, governance, strategy, assurance, and transformational change. I’ve worked as a lawyer, Chief Risk Officer, board director, and senior executive — guiding teams, advising ministers, and supporting purpose-led reform across government, corporate, academic and not-for-profit sectors.

I’ve moved countries, started over, and built a career that reflects both rigour and heart. I’ve led large teams through complexity, coached emerging and seasoned leaders alike, and helped organisations navigate both crisis and change.

What I bring isn’t textbook theory — it’s deep, practical insight gained from being in the room where decisions are made, pressure is real, and leadership truly matters.

What I Do Today

Now, I help leaders develop what I call adaptive stability — the ability to stay grounded and flexible at once. It’s about holding your calm centre in a world that’s moving fast, while still taking decisive action that aligns with your values.

Through coaching, facilitation and strategic advice, I support leaders who are managing complexity and want to feel more centred, confident, and prepared. Many of my clients are women in senior roles, but my work is inclusive of all leaders who value clarity, purpose and sustainable impact.

I draw on my lived experience, governance and legal expertise, organisational leadership, and training in coaching. I don’t offer generic advice — I meet you where you are, and help you get where you want to go.

What I’m Known For

I’m best known for creating safe, trusted spaces where leaders can breathe, reflect and think deeply — without judgement.

I help you reconnect with your strengths, sharpen your focus, and act with clarity — even when the path ahead is shifting.

You don’t need to prove yourself — you already have what it takes.

Leadership starts from within: grounded in your values, steady under pressure, and clear in your direction.

My role is to help you access that inner confidence, so you can lead with assurance — no matter what comes your way.

And not just for now — but in a way that’s sustainable, calm, and capable of carrying you forward with clarity and momentum.

Highlights about Suzie

Leadership strategist, governance expert, and former Chief Risk Officer
Over 20 years’ experience across government, corporate, academic and not-for-profit sectors
Former senior executive in the Victorian Government, including Director of Strategy & Governance at the Department of Transport & Planning
Board and Audit Committee member for multiple public entities, including the Judicial College of Victoria and the City of Greater Dandenong
Chair of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee, Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health & Wellbeing
Admitted legal practitioner with a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of British Columbia
Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD)
Certified Leadership and Workplace Coach (Open Door Coaching)
Speaker at national leadership, strategy, and governance conferences including Government Chief Risk Officers’ Summit and the Victorian Public Sector Innovation Network
Former keynote speaker for events on gender, inclusive leadership, and organisational resilience
Selected participant in executive-level leadership programs including ANZSOG’s Women in Leadership and Cranlana Colloquium for Future Leaders
Recognised for excellence in people leadership through the ‘Leader as Coach’ executive coaching program (The People Spot)
Known for creating psychologically safe spaces where senior leaders can reflect, recalibrate, and lead with confidence
Author of the forthcoming book on Adaptive Stability in leadership.

What they’re saying

“What I love most about Suzie is her focused execution. She is a shining example of getting clear on her goal, focusing one foot in front of the other and prioritising what matters. She walks her talk in her message of adaptive stability. Her skills are so critical for the complex landscape leaders find themselves in today.”

Jane Anderson, Strategic Communications Expert
"Suzie’s empathetic and supportive training ensured that her messages got through – and were understood and accepted. And more importantly, her messages continued to resonate into my out-of-workshop life, and have been implemented and had the positive outcomes sought. And continue to do so. As a result, I strongly recommend attending Suzie’s workshops, and working with her adaptive stability model, as that can markedly strengthen your own personal resilience and capacity to overcome what, otherwise, would be setbacks.”

Philip Derham, Director, Derham Insights Reaserach
“Th[e workshop] was an engaging and inspiring session. Suzie included an excellent quality slide deck, practical exercises, logical discussion points, relevant exercises and succinct and supportive feedback. The safe environment generated fascinating insights from all participants. Highly recommend!”

Sue Ellson, Independent LinkedIn Specialist
“I was impressed at the level of detail Suzie thoughtfully presented in an easy to understand way. The ‘Pivot When Needed’ exercise was so interesting and beneficial. Suzie understands the real world challenges facing business owners and has the ability to make you see yourself in a new light.”

Dianne Palmer, Palmer Interior Design
“Suzie was a very attentive host...She was very emotionally engaged all the time, and made me comfortable and willing to share about myself, as well as try challenging and even embarrassing tasks. The fact that she stayed present throughout the entire 4 hours, for each of the sessions, inspired a lot of trust and admiration in me towards her.”

Alex Yi Zhao, Workshop participant