Michelle Suttle in

Michelle Suttle

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Principal at Independent
📍 Ashburn, Virginia, United States

Michelle Suttle is an executive operator specializing in guiding complex, regulated organizations through periods of change and growth. With a background from the United States Air Force Academy, her career spans leadership roles in aerospace, defense, and government services at firms like QinetiQ and BAE Systems, focusing on operations, risk, and turning strategy into execution.

Michelles personal reflections reveal a deep interest in the concepts of risk, reliance, and resilience, drawing parallels from major events to everyday leadership. She appreciates the determination and toughness displayed in high-pressure situations, such as motorsports, and uses these observations to inform her professional philosophy on overcoming challenges.

Unique fact: Michelle directed finance and operations for the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museums historic seven-year, $1B renovation.

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Experience
21 Years
Current Role
Principal
Job Level
Senior
Location
Ashburn, Virginia, United States
Personality Overview

How Michelle shows up

Communication Style
Decision Approach
Work Preference

Behavioral traits and communication patterns that shape how this person evaluates opportunities, builds trust, and makes decisions in professional settings.

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Priorities

Topics Michelle cares about

Enterprise Risk
As a former Chief Risk Officer for a FTSE 250 company, she has deep expertise in risk governance, assurance, and business continuity.
Operational Resilience
Her work focuses on strengthening operating models and improving delivery performance, and she frequently writes about the importance of resilience.
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Career

Work history

1-2026
Principal
Independent
1-2023 - 6-2025
Chief Risk Officer
QinetiQ
2-2019 - 1-2023
Director of Business Operations
BAE Systems
5-2016 - 2-2019
Associate Director
Smithsonian Institution, National Air and Space Museum
3-2003 - 8-2015
Vice President & Director Roles
BAE Systems, Inc.
In the press

Media appearances

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Education
Bachelor of Science
United States Air Force Academy
MS
Marymount University
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

DISC behavioral profile

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