About Us
Leader Schematix, founded by Susan Calmer, draws on over two decades of experience in psychology and organisational consulting. Susan’s evidence-based masterclasses, workshops and coaching programs help leaders turn self-awareness into practical mastery.
Grounded in Schema Therapy, Leader Schematix helps leaders replace patterns that hold them back and strengthen their grounded, wise self - the part that leads with clarity, balance, and authenticity. The aim is to cultivate Wise Leaders who lead with insight, self-compassion and authenticity in the face of complexity.
Meet the Team
SUSAN CALMER
Susan Calmer is a psychologist and workplace consultant with more than two decades of experience working at the intersection of psychology, leadership, and organisational wellbeing. Before founding Leader Schematix, and her workplace psychology consultancy, she spent many years leading and shaping services in the human and community sectors
At the centre of Susan’s work is Schema Therapy, an evidence-based approach that examines the patterns driving how people function. She has seen how uncovering these patterns can profoundly improve lives - whether in individuals recovering from trauma or burnout or senior leaders managing complex roles.
Her work helps leaders recognise and reshape unhelpful patterns such as perfectionism, self-criticism, or the relentless pressure to meet high standards, fostering greater self-awareness, authenticity, and balance. Susan is also a trained Gottman Couples and Schema Couples Therapist, bringing a deep understanding of people dynamics and emotionally intelligent relationships into her leadership and coaching work.
CHRISTINE BRUCE
Christine Bruce has over thirty five years of leadership experience in the higher education and information sectors. She has held multiple senior positions requiring organisation-wide leadership crossing departmental and professional boundaries. Christine has accepted speaking invitations across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas; she has consulted, coached and mentored nationally and internationally.
Christine brings her personal award-winning research and teaching expertise to the design and implementation of the wise leadership masterclasses. Professor Christine Bruce currently consults, mentors and coaches. She is an Australian Learning and Teaching Fellow and Principal Fellow of Advance HE. Christine sees leadership as a collaborative endeavour, focused on relationship building for the empowerment of others; enabling them to fulfill their leadership potential.
Our Values
CRITICAL THINKING
We question assumptions, challenge familiar narrative and explore alternative perspectives. Through this process, leaders uncover deeper insights into themselves, their teams, and their organisations.
AUTHENTICITY
Healthy leadership is complemented with authenticity. It emerges when you set aside doubt and self-criticism, leading with self-compassion and confidence in who you are.
MASTERY
Wise leadership doesn’t stem from climbing the corporate ladder but from a consistent and respectful commitment mastering your craft.
INSIGHT INTO ACTION
Insight is valuable, but real growth happens when you apply it - in the moment, under pressure, and with consistency. Bridging the gap between leadership theory and real-world practice is one of the hardest parts of growing as a leader.