Susanna is the CEO of both the Laidlaw Foundation and Laidlaw Scholars Ventures, a $50m fund that invests in the start-up idea of Laidlaw Scholars. She is Chair of both the Laidlaw Schools Trust and B2B Marketing, the global B2B media business. She is also an investor in and advisor to two female founder start-ups: Musemio and Loanhood. Susanna’s professional experience includes over 15 years in senior leadership roles in international B2B and learning businesses. She began her career at the Institute for International Research (IIR) where she first worked with Lord Laidlaw, rising to Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). When IIR, was acquired by Informa Plc in 2005 Susanna was appointed CMO of the enlarged group. Susanna subsequently joined Emap Ltd as Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer and CEO of Emap Networks, that group’s conferences business. Later she became CEO of the fashion industry forecaster WGSN and was latterly Group Content and Marketing Partner of the leading strategy consultancy Brunswick Group. A German-American raised and educated in the UK and a committed internationalist, Susanna has been involved in globally trading businesses throughout her career, directing activity in the Americas, across continental Europe, and the Asia Pacific. She believes experiencing and appreciating different cultures promotes better global understanding, creativity and leadership. She is passionate about the power of education to transform lives; and is committed to developing a new generation of diverse leaders who are curious, bold and determined to act with integrity. Susanna read English and Philosophy at Newnham College, University of Cambridge. She has five half blues in swimming and water polo and played netball and rowed for Newnham.