Thomas Suessli

About

I support boards, executives and institutions in handling geopolitical, technological, organizational and security challenges. With unique experience as former Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces and as a CEO and Entrepreneur in both banking and technology, I help organizations build resilience, lead transformation, and better understand global risks.

I am self-employed and therefore fully independent.

My approach is grounded in practical experience, as outlined in my CV.

Board Member - Senior Advisor - Keynote Speaker

Former Chief of Armed Forces
Former Financial Sector CEO and Entrepreneur
Expertise in Geopolitics, Cyber Security, Digitalization and Defence

contact@suessli.com
+41 79 659 21 21

Unique Strategic Perspective as Board Member and Senior Advisor

As Board Member and Senior Advisor I provide unique cross domain perspectives, bring independent strategic judgement and advise on geopolitical risks, strategic management, cyber security, digitalisation and innovation.

Geopolitical Assessments

Anticipate global geopolitical developments and translate related risks into actionable mitigation and resilience strategies.

As former Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces, as well as professional for financial markets, I gained first-hand access to strategic insights through exchanges with international experts, military leaders, participation in global conferences, and exposure to intelligence assessments.

Strategic Management

Define a compelling vision and translate it into an actionable strategy that includes people, processes, structures, culture and technology.

With over 20 years of experience as Chief of Armed Forces, senior executive in major corporations and start-ups, I bring unique experience in shaping vision and implementing strategy across the military, corporate, and innovation ecosystems.

Cyber, Digitalization and Innovation

Develop and execute a tangible, results-oriented cyber and digitalization strategy.

As former head of Swiss Armed Forces IT and Cyber, IT expert and co-owner in a fintech start-up I bring a unique combination of hands-on experience and strategic oversight in cyber defence, innovation, and digitalization, helping strengthen the organizations cyber defence, digitalization and technological strategy.

International Finance and Business

Ground strategic decisions in sound business cases, measurable impact, and long-term value creation.

Based on my long-term career in the financial sector, including roles as CEO of Vontobel Financial Products Asia Pacific in Singapore and senior international positions at Credit Suisse and UBS, I demonstrate both: strong results orientation and comprehensive expertise in business management and complex organizational processes.

Keynote Speaker: Topics

Geopolitics

In my keynotes, for instance in a TEDx Talk, I place geopolitical shifts in a historical context to make complex interdependencies both understandable and relevant.
Core messages: “We are living in the modern world 4.0,” “A Zeitenwende has begun,” and “The world will not return to what it once was.”
Audience impact: A clearer understanding of global developments, empowering leaders to prepare their organizations and themselves, actively mitigate risks, and seize emerging opportunities.

Leadership

In my keynotes on leadership, I cover the 'human aspect' of leadership as well as proven concepts. I include many stories out of my personal experience.
Core messages: “The Five V’s of Leadership,” “The Leadership Quadrants.”
Audience impact: A realization that leadership is not innate, but the result of continuous hard work on oneself. Transformational leadership becomes accessible and actionable for everyone.

Cyber

As the former “Chief of IT and Cyber,” I shaped Swiss Armed Forces cyber capabilities. I talk about my experience, the principles in cyber defence and the actors, methods, tools, and intentions that define the global cyber domain.
Core messages: “You are the target!,” “Assume breach,” “Resilience over risk management,” “Protect your crown jewels.”
Audience impact: A heightened awareness that every individual and every organization is affected. Protecting one’s critical strengths must be top priority.

Digital Transformation

From process automation in banking to the creation of entirely new digital business models, I experienced the digital transformation firsthand. My keynotes are backed by this experience as well as my knowledge in computer science and my work with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Core messages: “Digital transformation unfolds in three stages,” “From linear to exponential thinking,” “From tools to augmented intelligence.”
Audience impact: A shift from incremental improvements toward the willingness to rethink business models at their core.