Susan Sobbott

Business leader

Former President, Global Commercial Services – American Express Board Member and advisor Customer zealot, Brand orchestrator, Change agent Susan Sobbott most recently served as President of Global Commercial Services in 2018, where she was responsible for the $10 billion revenue division dedicated to serving the payments and cash flow needs of small and mid-sized businesses, large and global corporations. Susan is known for her strategic perspective, her relentless fight for her customers, and her passion for and perseverance to develop high performing teams. She is distinguished as a mission driven leader, and a creative marketer, that inspires deep and broad followership among employees. Susan’s discrete focus on execution allows her teams to innovate products and experiences for both customer impact and financial results. An officer of the firm, Susan held various executive positions at American Express, over a twenty-eight-year career in both consumer and B2B roles. As President and General Manager of OPEN Small Business, she put small business on the map for the credit card industry, leading American Express as the clear market leader. She managed the business through the 2008 credit crisis, and spearheaded the creation of “Small Business Saturday,” establishing American Express as a leader in social media marketing, and customer advocacy, and restored the business to double digit customer centric growth. As President of Global Corporate Payments, Susan led the team to turnaround the division serving mid-size to the biggest enterprise companies in the world. Finally, as President of Global Commercial Services, Susan merged all of the issuing businesses of American Express, serving businesses globally, representing over 40% of the revenues of the firm. She reorganized the team, eliminated costs and modernized technology platforms and American Express’ go to market approach in the B2B space. She left a legacy of customer appreciation, a culture of values-based service, and the most promising vector of future growth for the firm. Susan was the global chair of the Women’s Interest Network at American Express and also sponsored the creation of American Express’ Parents at Work employee network. Susan consistently sponsored policy and programming to accelerate the development of female executives and to address the needs of working parents. Currently, Susan serves as a board director for The Children’s Place (NASDAQ) and WEX (NYSE), and Red Ventures (privately held) and previously served as a Trustee for Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and board member of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. She is a member of The Women’s Forum and serves on the advisory board for the Women’s Venture Capital Fund and advises to both corporate and entrepreneurial business leaders. A graduate of Georgetown University and University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, Susan resides in New Jersey.

Women Entrepreneurs - 3% of all women-owned firms have revenues of $1M or more versus 6% of men-owned firms. Helping them realize their potential, starts by helping them believe in it.

1) Accountable leaders have a conscience, a mission, and care about making their communities, employees and customers THRIVE. Business leaders can be accountable to customers and employees and communities and in so doing serve their shareholders by creating companies that are great to work for, communities that support them, and loyal customers with shared values. 2) SHOP SMALL! will be celebrating its 10th anniversary this Small Business Saturday right after Black Friday. Shopping at local independent retailers strengthens local communities. A great example of accountable leadership, founded by American Express, with the intention to help small businesses and their communities thrive, while inspiring employees to be part of a mission driven, conscious company.

First timer – My TED story is yet to be told

Ask me at TED