Susan Avarde, Head of Global Branding, Citigroup Inc.

Susan is a senior leader and has 25 years of industry experience having worked in most major industries including: banking, broadcast, telecommunications, airlines, retail and fashion. She led award-winning brand programs for Fortune 14 firms and has worked with companies such as: ESPN, AT&T, Barclays, Vogue, Accenture, Comcast, Visa, BP and Air France.

During her time at Citi she has developed various programs, including the recent 200yrs anniversary campaign running in 200+ countries. Over the years her work around brand and innovation has variously contributed to business growth and significant increase in saliency. Susan was key in Citi’s lead sponsorship of the Smithsonian exhibition, Cities, at the United Nations exhibition last year, where innovation is being put to positive social effect in such cities as Caracas, Nairobi and Mumbai. Susan also sits on the Citi Women committee, helping guide development opportunities for professional women.

She lectures at various organizations i.e. Columbia Business School, Yale and the Economist. She is a judge and board member for various organizations such as the Advertising Education Foundation and Peace Direct, an organization supporting local peacemakers in conflict zones. She was an invitee by Michelle Obama to the White House in 2011 to honor the best in American Design.

Susan was born and educated in London during a time of extraordinary creativity and has made her home on three continents. She values the power of ideas to drive enterprise, and the talent of a team to make them happen.