Strategic Communications | Executive Branding | University Research Impact
Helping organisations build external impact, executives achieve C-suite positioning, and Government deliver measurable engagement results.
Why I Started Susan Blain Consulting
“Susan Blain Consulting was established to work directly with organisations that require senior-level expertise in engagement, communications and strategic positioning.
The work typically sits in environments where visibility is not the problem - clarity, influence and execution are.
My focus is on research commercialisation, stakeholder engagement and communications strategy across universities, government, research organisations and professional services firms.
Engagement is not a visibility exercise. It is a mechanism for influence, alignment and measurable organisational impact.
I have worked extensively with Australian universities and research organisations on translating research capability into external understanding, relevance and engagement.
At ANU Enterprise, I developed communications and engagement strategies that improved how complex research was positioned with industry, government and public stakeholders. This work was focused on making research more accessible and more usable in partnership contexts.
I now apply this experience across universities, research organisations, government and selected commercial clients where external positioning directly affects opportunity, funding and collaboration outcomes.
Susan Blain
Founder | Principal
Strategic Communications & Executive Branding | Canberra
I work across three primary client contexts:
UNIVERSITIES & RESEARCH ORGANISATIONS
Supporting universities and research organisations to strengthen how research is understood, valued and applied by external stakeholders. This work draws on experience at ANU Enterprise in developing engagement strategies that connect research capability with industry, government, and public-sector needs.
Many institutions have strong research output but inconsistent external positioning. This affects partnership formation, commercialisation pathways and stakeholder engagement. The focus is on improving how research is translated into relevance, visibility and opportunity.
SENIOR EXECUTIVES & EMERGING LEADERS
Supporting senior executives and emerging leaders at inflection points in their careers.
This includes transitions into executive leadership, board appointments and expanded portfolio roles. The work focuses on clarity of positioning, executive narrative and stakeholder perception - particularly where technical or specialist expertise needs to translate into broader organisational influence.
CORPORATIONS & GOVERNMENT
Providing senior communications and engagement capability to corporations and government organisations on a fractional or project basis.
This typically includes major bid support, stakeholder engagement strategy and executive communications leadership during periods of heightened demand or organisational change. The emphasis is on providing experienced strategic input when internal capacity is constrained or when senior-level direction is required, without establishing a permanent executive role.
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