Sunny Bonnell

Founder & CEO, Motto® • Top Global Brand & Visionary Leadership Expert • Bestselling Author, Rare Breed • Co-Founder, VisionCamp® • GDUSA Top People to Watch • Top 30 GlobalGurus in Brand • High-Octane Keynote Speaker

Sunny Bonnell is the co-founder and CEO of Motto®, a strategy and innovation firm, and Thinkers50 Radar, which, in partnership with Deloitte, awards the brightest minds in the world. 

Named a ‘Visionary Brand Icon’ by SWAGGER, she is a Top 30 Global Gurus in Brand, GDUSA's Top 25 People to Watch, and a WEBBY Award winner. The WEBBY Awards described Sunny as “Setting the standard for innovation and creativity.”

Sunny works with executive leadership teams to set visions, create big ideas, and inspire their culture to take action on that vision. 

Clients include:

Minnesota Vikings
Virgin
Google
Microsoft
Klaviyo
NFL
Hershey’s
Legendary Digital
Disney
Twentieth Century Fox
Choice Hotels
NCM
Andela
Goodnotes

Sunny is an internationally acclaimed keynote speaker for organizations like MasterCard, Microsoft, Dale Carnegie, Fast Company Innovation Festival, Inc., and Inspiring Workplaces. 

She's been featured in every major publication, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, and The Wall Street Journal. She has appeared on Closing Bell on the NY Stock Exchange, The Breakfast Club, and Yahoo Finance. She writes a popular and provocative leadership column for Fast Company with her Co-founder and partner in crime, Ashleigh Hansberger.

Sunny and Ashleigh are the authors of Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different (Harper Collins, 2019) which flips the script on business as usual and carves a path for unconventional success.

“The top 5 career books of all time.” — New York Post
"Brazen and a ruckus to make things better.” — Seth Godin
“An entire windstorm of original thinking.” — USA Today

Sunny's work is focused on dismantling status-quo practices and inspiring others to do big things.

Founder, speaker, author, vision leader.

👉 wearemotto.com
👉 sunnybonnell.com

Co-Founder & CEO

Motto® is a vision-partner and strategic brand transformation company. We believe in the power of big ideas to clarify vision, rally people, and inspire action.

We guide CEOs, founders, and teams through times of growth and transition to unlock their Idea Worth Rallying Around®— the signature idea that sits at the heart of the business and makes it famous.

Internally: Our work drives the culture strategy for how you do things—by aligning leadership around vision and purpose, codifying values, creating plans to evolve, inspiring employees with a strategic narrative, and weaving brand-building behaviors and mindsets into your company DNA.

Externally: Our work drives the brand strategy for how you're positioned—by creating competitive difference, establishing key narratives, casting creative direction, and activating the brand across touchpoints.

Since 2005, we’ve collaborated with the brightest minds to solve their toughest strategic challenges. Leaders seek us out to clearly communicate what their company is about. Our unique advisory approach helps your brand and culture work together so your company thrives.

CLIENTS
Virgin
Google
Microsoft
Hershey
Andela
Goodnotes
Earnest
ServiceTitan
Brooklyn Brewery
Disney
Ninjas in Pyjamas

Founders. CEOs. Brand leaders. Creatives. 👋 How do you stay relevant when speed is messy, and sameness is a prompt away? 

Motto® Future of Brand Report 2026 is now LIVE.

And yes, it’s free.

We built it for leaders navigating the most accelerated era in modern business.

→ AI is turning output into a commodity. 
→ Culture is shifting faster than playbooks can keep up. 
→ Differentiation is harder to hold onto.
→ The brands that win will build meaning that scales and alignment that sticks.

Here’s what you’ll get:

→ Fieldnotes: sharp signals across tech, design, culture, and leadership
→ Forces: the big shifts reshaping how companies create value
→ Questions: prompts to pressure-test strategy and spark better decisions

This is a decision tool to help you think, build, and lead in the year ahead. 

Read it, share it, debate it.

Just don’t ignore it.

If you want to win at business and brand in 2026...

Like this post and drop FUTURE OF BRAND in the comments, and I’ll send it your way.

#brand

The Guardian

Served as strategic advisor to transitional and new leadership team, including UK group communications director, interim US general manager, US managing director, and US editor. Guided and executed internal, external, and crisis communications efforts to enhance brand and reputation of organization in US with a focus on risk mitigation. Ensured alignment with international organizational values and ethical standards, promoting transparency and authenticity. Led post-pandemic employee events and initiatives for US staff of 130, fostering inclusivity and boosting engagement, leading creative direction, and managing projects to ensure timescales and budgets were met and dovetailed with needs and parameters of UK headquarters. Assisted senior leadership and staff with 40+ external engagements by drafting presentations, scripts, speeches, media tips, and interview briefings. Monitored, maintained, and updated critical landing and messaging pages on organization's website.

• Played pivotal role on US leadership team, driving brand and reputation growth by aligning 100% of US communication activities with organization's values and mission and overseeing execution of complex projects.
• Managed relationships, maximized stakeholder and partner experience, and facilitated thought leadership by coordinating and participating in external engagements aligned with organization's brand pillars.
• Employed human-centric and DEI-focused approach on all initiatives, consulting on numerous high-profile issues and events including The Guardian's historic Legacies of Enslavement restorative justice work, 200th anniversary event, US LinkedIn page, and communication during a complex organization-wide ransomware attack affecting over 1000 employees.

Communications Director

Hemisphere

Spearheaded internal and external communication efforts, aiming to foster brand loyalty and positive recognition for six US and Latin American cable brands. Provided strategic counsel to C-suite executives and performed responsibilities encompassing campaign project management, employee engagement, and coordination and execution of events for both internal and external stakeholders. Played key role in writing, reviewing, and editing various communication materials, ensuring DEI perspective.

• Collaborated with key leaders to promote HMTV and subsidiaries among target stakeholders while preserving brand integrity, including coordination of over 15 campaigns and internal/external events per year. 
• Initiated and led authentic CSR and DEI initiatives that aligned with company's pillars, values, and mission.
• Established communication channels, standards, and practices, including creating internal newsletter and crisis plan.
• Co-led comprehensive overhaul and relaunch of company's website, encompassing graphics and content.
• Forged partnership with South Florida's YWCA, guided company's participation in Community Justice Challenge, and orchestrated HMTV's novel Orgullo Hispano 365 campaign.

Senior Manager, Strategic Communications and Content Development | DEI Lead

Public Relations and Communications Manager

Camino PR

Performed multifaceted range of responsibilities including overseeing various functions, such as project management, communications strategy, media advocacy, effort reporting, and analytics. Headed project management for specific tasks, such as planning media events, trainings, and marketing campaigns. Contributed immensely towards developing DEI, strategy, change management, and crisis plans, which included monitoring progress and assessing outcomes. Built strategic relationships with stakeholders which required effective communication and deep understanding of complex issues like immigration, poverty, environmental protection, and access to healthcare. Ensuring website content and landing pages remained current and up to date.

• Initiated meaningful change by integrating client input and strategic objectives into projects and proposals, and effectively collaborating with clients, staff, and external experts to reshape public narrative, emphasizing human rights, justice, and dignity.

Project Manager - Communications

Synergytek Consulting/Lawrence Entertainment

Oversaw project management, development of effective communications strategies, and particular emphasis on enhancing brand image. Utilized strategic engagement and promotional events to strengthen brand presence. Devised comprehensive communications strategies to effectively reach target audiences, played key role in shaping and refining brand identity. Crafted messaging and initiatives that resonated with brand values, ensuring consistency, and constantly working to elevate brand image in eyes of stakeholders and public.

• Acknowledged for outstanding organizational and leadership abilities, fostering positive working relationships with clients, employees, and vendors through responsiveness, efficient logistics management, and collaborative approach.

Communications Manager

CCCS Department of Immigration Legal Services

Interviewed potential clients and provided bilingual immigration consultations to determine eligibility. Managed completion of all relevant visa and immigration documents to ensure receipt within designated governmental time limits. 

• One of two counselors specializing in U and T visa applications for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Ensured client’s voices and experiences were communicated accurately and with dignity while meeting application requirements. 
• Developed and facilitated relationships with clients, increasing number of successfully submitted applications. 
• Earned certificates of completion in Introduction to Immigration Law Practice and Fundamentals of US Immigration Law.

Migration Counselor/Immigration Paralegal

La Viña

Collaborated on all creative and editing aspects of the magazine and monthly newsletter for both print and digital media. 

•	Helped build sustainable impact at scale by establishing relationships with stakeholders and group leaders nationwide to more effectively elevate diverse member needs, backgrounds and experiences. 
•	Improved reach and awareness of program materials and network as narrator of selected member story submissions for organization’s audio project.
•	Translated and transcribed manuscripts, articles, and letters from English to Spanish. 
•	Streamlined office processes and established effective system for records retention, resulting in 70% to 75% increase of manuscript copyrights secured and received despite international and often transient author population.
•	Won certificate of appreciation for exemplary work performed.

Editorial Assistant

WBAI NY 99.5 FM

Produced high-quality, broadcast-ready scripts and special reports under strict deadlines, including Wake Up Call’s popular “NJ Regional Round-up” segment. Interviewed and collaborated with local and national personalities, community leaders, and activists. Assisted with the maintenance and enhancement of the station’s image and with the implementation and marketing of fundraising efforts. 

• Quickly promoted from general station assistant to Wake Up Call Producer/Reporter after demonstrating high level of initiative, diversified skill set, and dedication to issues affecting target audience.
• Created, researched, edited, and hosted The Black Sheep Chronicles, a 3-part special.
• Researched and reported on Stop and Frisk, ACLU advocacy efforts, mass incarceration, and other stories of interest to minority groups and under-served communities.

Producer/Reporter

Parkinson’s Disease Foundation

Assisted in the creation of promotional material, social media content, and strategies to effectively and efficiently communicate organizational mission and objectives. Provided meticulous support with pre- and post-event activities, including acknowledgement letters and analysis.

• Negotiated and increased donations by approaching a different population of sponsor.
• Assisted with event coordination and management, including venue site visits and bookings.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail while managing multiple projects and deadlines.

Special Events and Development Intern

Columbia Law School

Responsible for editing and posting articles to the Columbia Law School website, preparing and sending out press releases, and creating and managing targeted media contact lists. Assisted Director with all projects as needed.

Key Achievements:

• Contacted and strengthened relationships with various media outlets.
• Trusted to work with high degree of autonomy.

Public Affairs Intern

Abacus & Associates, Inc.

Independent wealth management fund:
• Managed and maintained client records, files, and account statements.
• Compiled and created weekly and year-end reports and spreadsheets for various departments.
• Facilitated inter-office communications and relationships with outside vendors.

Portfolio Administrator

For over ten years, I’ve specialized in building. Not literally, with a hammer and nails, but in a different way—building bridges, awareness, and connections through a human-centered approach that harnesses the power of effective communication. I am deeply committed to holistically embedding DEI within organizations and establishing strategic, values-driven partnerships that foster innovation and drive progress. With my focus on historically underserved and vulnerable communities, I have given voice to the challenges people face, crafted compelling narratives, and offered new perspectives with which to see the world.

As a strategic thought leader, I work to ensure brands, messages, and initiatives effectively connect with their target audiences and stakeholders, identifying and addressing challenges and motivations to develop empowering, impactful solutions. By linking the nuances and context of our current social, economic, and cultural landscape and making them organic components of the finished product, I help promote advocacy, foster authenticity, and cultivate trust. Ultimately, that's what drives me—creating bridges between organizations and the people they support or serve.

I’m a connections architect…and words are my building blocks.

Expertise:

•	Organizational Leadership
•	Research & Analysis
•	Content Creation & Development
•	Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
•	Thought Leadership
•	Strategic Partnerships & Communications
•	Public Speaking & Presenting
•	Social Impact
•	Business Development
•	Event Coordination & Execution
•	Stakeholder Management & Relationships
•	Project Management
•	Messaging & Brand Strategy
•	Community Engagement & Empowerment

I continuously seek to expand my knowledge and understanding of how past and present impact business strategy and stakeholder experience. I am dedicated to doing my part in creating a brighter, better future and believe that human connection is at the heart of all progress, all disruption, and all innovation required to address some of the most pressing issues facing our ever-evolving world.
I'm also passionate about using my skills and experience to make a sustainable difference. 

If you're looking for a strategic thought partner who can help you embed cultural nuance, connect with your target audiences, and drive social impact, I'd love to hear from you.

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The Battle

Sunny Bonnell

Isabel Nieto-Cañon (she / her / ella)

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taplio

The Battle

Sunny Bonnell

Isabel Nieto-Cañon (she / her / ella)

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Sunny Bonnell's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreSunny Bonnell's LinkedIn Performance