About

Battley Performance Consulting has provided leader and board effectiveness services to business, research and nonprofit organizations since 1998.

Susan Battley, founder and president of the firm, is a leadership psychologist, author and board director herself. A trusted advisor to chief executives and board directors for more than 20 years, her clients range from Fortune 500 CEOs to university presidents and heads of national scientific institutions.

With a deep understanding of how to leverage behavioral science in the service of strategic goals, Susan helps high-performing leaders and their senior teams become even better faster. She brings strong diagnostic and collaboration skills to her engagements, which enables her to deliver candid findings and recommendations in the C-suite and boardroom.

Susan has long been at the forefront of leadership trends and development. Fast Focus on Success, her radio program on leadership and career success, was commended by the Clinton White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Her expertise has also been featured on CNBC, CNN, CBS National News and Bloomberg News.


Her book, Coached to Lead (Wiley|Jossey-Bass), was the first guide to executive coaching written for coaching clients. Her articles have appeared in leading publications, including Leader to Leader, Leadership Excellence, Forbes, Fast Company and The Oxford University Press Handbook of Lifelong Learning.

The National Association of Corporate Directors recognized her as a Governance Fellow in 2013. She also served on the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council.

Based in New York City, Susan has served on numerous national and regional boards. These include the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives, where she was board chair for four years; the Metropolitan Opera Guild, where she served on the executive committee as governance committee chair; and the Institute of Management Consultants, New York chapter, where she was an officer and executive committee member.

A licensed psychologist, she holds the Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree from Long Island University and a PhD with distinction in economic history from Stony Brook University. Prior to establishing her firm, she was an organizational ombudsman and clinical assistant professor at Stony Brook University. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, Society of Consulting Psychology, Smithsonian New York Regional Council and Authors Guild.

For recreation, Susan enjoys the performing arts, gardening and cultural travel. In fair weather she can be found playing croquet on the Central Park lawn courts. ■