Suzanne Sangiovese began her journey at Riskline as an intern in 2008. She has since held various roles within the company, most recently as Director of Travel and Technology. After 14 years of contributing to its growth and success, she has been appointed as CEO. Suzanne succeeds our founder, Kennet Nordlien, who will transition to the role of Executive Chairman.
She is one of the few female leaders in the travel sector. A GBTA global survey of over 600 global business travel professionals revealed that women represent 67 per cent of travel managers and buyers and account for 57 per cent of travel supplier and travel management company (TMC) professionals. Despite this, only 15.6 per cent of travel tech leaders are female.
We recently had the opportunity to interview Suzanne about her vision for Riskline and her goals for the company moving forward. Below are some of the key insights she shared.
What is your vision for Riskline?
My vision is to empower businesses and travellers with timely, accurate and actionable intelligence that enhances safety, minimises risks and supports smarter decision-making. Under my leadership, Riskline will continue to be a trusted and reliable partner, building on our strong foundation of independence and focus on intelligence.
At Riskline, curiosity, tenacity, forward-thinking and problem-solving are the defining traits of our people. These qualities will continue to drive us towards becoming a true industry standard in travel risk intelligence. My goal is for Riskline to set the benchmark others aspire to, known not only for what we deliver but how we innovate to stay ahead.
We are committed to making travellers and businesses ‘smarter’ and more prepared, recognising that informed decisions reduce risks. By remaining independent, we ensure that our intelligence is unbiased and solely focused on empowering our clients, rather than selling additional services. We apply innovation not just in our products, but also in how we work. This approach keeps us modern and relevant, enabling us to continuously enhance our capabilities.
What will your key responsibilities be in the new role?
As CEO, my primary responsibilities will centre on driving the company’s strategic vision, enhancing financial performance and leading long-term growth initiatives, while ensuring we remain aligned with stakeholder and market needs.
In this transformative period for Riskline, I plan to bring a participative leadership style to the role. This approach emphasises collaboration and shared decision-making, empowering teams to contribute meaningfully to our success. Having been with Riskline for years, I understand its culture and values. I see this as an opportunity to drive strategic change while honouring the foundation that has made us successful. By engaging the team and fostering open dialogue, I believe we can achieve impactful, sustainable growth together.
What does this role mean to you?
It’s an exciting time for both me and Riskline. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, stepping into this role feels like a natural fit for me. I’m honoured to lead the team into its next chapter. Over the past 14 years, I’ve taken on almost every role within the company. This experience has given me a unique insider perspective and has prepared me to guide Riskline through a period of high growth and innovation.
I’m deeply grateful to our founder and Chairman, Kennet Nordlien, for his trust and encouragement. His vision built a strong foundation, and I’m committed to honouring that legacy as we continue to evolve and thrive.