28/01/2026
Yesterday, our principal, Susan Assadi, participated in a panel discussion about Leading Through Change: Building Resilient Global Teams in 2026. The moderator Stefanie Austin Global Chamber asked her: What are the most significant changes global leaders must prepare for in 2026?
Susan:
From my perspective, the most significant shift global leaders must prepare for in 2026 is the growing complexity of multiculturalism inside the organizations we work with and across the partners we engage globally. The ability to navigate cultural nuance is no longer a soft skill — it’s a strategic imperative.
To give context to my lens: I was the child of the only Jewish family in a small Southern town in Alabama. From a young age, I understood what it meant to be seen as an “other.” My parents taught me to stay aware of my environment, to listen closely, and to understand how people’s backgrounds shape their perspectives. If we wanted to accomplish something together, the first step was always to listen with empathy.
Another foundation for me came from my academic training at NYU Tisch when I received my MFA as a theater director. That work taught me to draw out subtext — to understand that what people say is often not what they truly feel, and that their objectives may run counter to the words on the page. That ability to hear beneath the surface has stayed with me throughout my career.
As a global leader running a PR practice and serving as Executive Director of Global Chamber NYC, Susan draws on early experiences every day. She leads with an empathetic ear, and pays attention to the nuances — the said and the unsaid — especially when working across cultures, continents, and economic backgrounds.
Doug Bruhnke
Austin
Global Chamber
