Susan Winchester
Motivational Keynoter, Author, TEDx Speaker
Susan is past CHRO for AMAT & ROK. She is a sought-after keynoter & HR consultant, known for her book, “Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve,” with Martha Finney. Susan’s passion is teaching & inspiring leaders & people to discover greater self-acceptance, fulfillment, performance, & joy at work & in life.
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A Visionary Leader
With over 36 years of HR leadership, including 16 as CHRO for Fortune 150 and 500 companies, Susan has led global strategies that transformed employee engagement, fostered inclusive cultures, and delivered exceptional performance. Her leadership roles at Applied Materials, Rockwell Automation, The Kellogg Company, Managing Decisions, Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago have given her a unique perspective on the challenges leaders face across industries and cultures.
Her work, in partnership with the executive team and members of the HR team earned the prestigious Catalyst Award for creating a Culture of Inclusion at Rockwell Automation and a nomination and recognition as an NAHR Fellow.
Tackling Perfectionism at Work
Motivational Keynoter, Susan Winchester
Susan's Topics
The Power of Bumper Car Moments to Promote Civility in the Workplace
In recent decades, business leaders have invested millions in creating workplace cultures that are engaging, supportive, and psychologically safe. But in the months ahead—and well into the future—global social, economic, political, and environmental stresses could strain relationships, turning trusted colleagues into adversaries.
What were once occasional differences of opinion may now escalate into unpredictable conflicts. Susan Winchester, author of Healing at Work®: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, calls these Bumper Car Moments—clashes that can disrupt workplaces, lead to emotionally charged interactions, and derail careers.
“A Bumper Car Moment is when your response can either maintain civility or trigger destructive interpersonal conflict,” says Susan. HR leaders, she adds, have a choice: to be overwhelmed by these moments or to leverage them as opportunities for growth, resilience, and trust.
“This is a pivotal time for HR leaders to shine and provide immense value to their organizations. How you handle these Bumper Car Moments could be your most lasting legacy—not just for your company, but for everyone in your workplace.”
When Your Past Gets in the Way of Your Future: Accelerating Human Potential
Millions of adults struggle to thrive after growing up in dysfunctional families, becoming what Susan Winchester calls Adult Survivors of Damaged Pasts (ASDPs). These individuals often show up at work as perfectionists, people pleasers, or, in some cases, corporate bullies. Others may avoid conflict, isolate themselves, or withhold their ideas—unconsciously battling the wounds of their past.
This internal struggle impacts their well-being and careers. Even if you’re not an ASDP, you likely work with or lead them. The modern workplace offers a unique opportunity to help these employees find emotional safety, build confidence, and collaborate effectively.
By fostering an environment where ASDPs can feel secure, businesses can help them look to the future with optimism. Retaining and cultivating this talent within a healthy corporate culture empowers all employees to contribute their best.
Susan tackles this pervasive issue by drawing on her personal experiences as an ASDP, the science of neuroplasticity, and positive psychology research, coupled with her 36-year career working with emotionally complex executives and leaders.
Healing at Work
Did you grow up in a dysfunctional or chaotic childhood that made you feel uncertain, unloved, unsafe, anxious, never good enough or something else negative about yourself? Are you shocked to discover that you still experience these feelings in your career? Perhaps you are unaware to how much your difficult childhood can keep you from what you most desire professionally. Are limiting beliefs and outdated behavior patterns getting in the way of the career success that you deserve? Do the stress and worry you experience at work rob you of your joy and self-acceptance? Has your career stalled, and you don’t know why? Maybe you are just exhausted from being drained at work.
You don’t have to be consciously or unconsciously imprisoned by your past. No matter how bad it was. And you’re not alone! Healing at Work: A Guide to Using Career Conflicts to Overcome Your Past and Build the Future You Deserve, by career experts Susan Schmitt Winchester and Martha I. Finney, gives you the skills and insights you need to thrive in your career and in life.
Additional Publications
- https://susanwinchester.com/my-frameworks/
What Clients Are Saying
Susan was the perfect speaker for our event. The logistics and preparation were seamless, and she was so comfortable and engaging on stage. We’d work with her again in a heartbeat.
Suzi Madonia
Director of Events at Frontline Co. C2HR
Having Susan speak at our event and participate in an interview was a fantastic experience. Her message resonated deeply with our audience, contributing significantly to the event’s success. Susan is an extraordinary speaker—authentic and engaging. The feedback on LinkedIn after the event was overwhelmingly positive.
Mihaly Nagy
CEO of Connexa Media
Over the breadth of a long corporate career, I have been privy to some powerful and moving keynote speeches from all around the globe. I was little prepared, however, to be as touched—as moved—as when I received Susan’s gift. It was the most powerful display of humanity I have ever witnessed in such a speech.
Don Borges
Executive Coach, Faculty and CoAdmin at UC Berkeley Executive Coaching Institute
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