After finishing university, most graduates look for a job that matches their qualifications and satisfies their ambitions.

But for Suzanne Stevens, now CEO of BrightRock, the well-planned future took a turn that taught her a lesson for life.

She was all set to become a teacher, when her post was unexpectedly withdrawn. It could have been a devastating blow. Instead, it forever changed her view of the world.

“I had just finished a temporary job, helping to launch the first IMAX cinema in South Africa,” Suzanne recalls. “When I found out I’d been retrenched from my teaching post, the IMAX team immediately offered me a permanent role. So I never actually spent a day without work.”

It was an early lesson in resilience and adaptation, the first of many experiences that would shape Suzanne’s deep interest in change: how people face it, adapt to it, and even learn to love it.

“If you show dedication in every task, big or small,” she says, “opportunities you can’t predict today may come knocking tomorrow.”

The Art of Thinking Big

Suzanne’s IMAX role turned out to be more than a lucky break. That big, high-definition cinema screen, measuring 18 by 24 metres, showed her the importance of focus and detail.

“It’s about paying close attention to each pixel, so to speak,” she says. “All those tiny elements, when combined thoughtfully, create something truly powerful.”

This mindset of zooming in while thinking big has remained central to Suzanne’s approach as a business leader.

When BrightRock was founded around a dining room table in 2011, it was led not by a single CEO, but by a team. That flat, collaborative structure, emphasising consensus over hierarchy, became part of the company’s DNA.

Today, as CEO, Suzanne continues to champion open dialogue and the value of diverse perspectives.

“I believe that empowering my team, encouraging open communication, and remaining flexible are crucial to harnessing innovative ideas and navigating change effectively,” she says.

This collaborative ethos has helped BrightRock thrive in the complex and competitive life insurance sector, while staying true to its disruptive origins.

Learning to Love Change

From the start, with its groundbreaking needs-matched life insurance policy that changes as your own needs change in life, BrightRock's mantra has been "Love Change".

That's why Suzanne is so passionate about helping people move beyond merely coping with change, to actively using change for growth.

“Change can be scary, but it also contains opportunity,” says Suzanne. “And we can actually get better at managing it over time.”

But "Love Change" is so much more than a mantra. It's the founding principle of a whole new school of science, in the form of the Change Science Institute, a BrightRock initiative in partnership with Henley Business School Africa.

Of all the research that the institute has brought to light, one concept stands above the rest for Suzanne. Neuroplasticity.

Yes, you can reshape your brain

“The idea that our brains are capable of rewiring themselves throughout life is deeply inspiring,” she says. “It means that adaptability isn’t just something you’re born with. It’s something you can cultivate.”

This insight is at the core of BrightRock’s belief in proactive change.

“We all have the capacity to improve our ability to deal with change,” says Suzanne. “And that opens up exciting possibilities for personal and professional growth.”

And yet, for all her enthusiasm for transformation, Suzanne doesn’t believe in grand gestures. Real change, she says, is often quiet and incremental.

“It’s not about huge, dramatic decisions. It’s about creating small, consistent habits and sticking with them, even when it’s hard,” she says. “Change isn’t linear. You’ll stumble. But if you keep going, the shift becomes permanent.”

This idea lies at the heart of BrightRock’s internal culture, too. Through a framework called “the needs-matched way,” the company encourages employees to align their individual purpose with that of the organisation.

“When that alignment happens,” says Suzanne, “you feel like your work really matters. And that creates a more energised, joyful workplace.”

The approach has earned international recognition. BrightRock was recently awarded a silver medal by EFMD Global for its work in building a purpose-driven culture.

The Make-a-Plan Nation

Operating in South Africa has provided BrightRock with its own unique set of lessons.

“Our country has a rich and complex history of transformation. That gives us both challenges and strengths when it comes to dealing with change,” says Suzanne.

She believes South Africans possess an innate resilience and creativity — a “make a plan” spirit —that drives innovation. BrightRock’s pioneering needs-matched insurance product was born of that environment, pushing against global norms to create something entirely new.

Fourteen years in, BrightRock has established itself as a major player in the life insurance sector. But maintaining its maverick mindset remains a top priority.

“Even though we now have robust systems and more people, we actively preserve a culture of experimentation and curiosity,” says Suzanne. “We want to keep pushing boundaries, keep asking how we can do better.”

Client feedback is an essential part of this evolution. “Our clients guide us. Understanding their needs is how we stay relevant.”

Asked how she keeps herself “fit for change”, Suzanne answers without hesitation. Curiosity is the key.

“Being open to new ideas, seeking out different perspectives, and constantly questioning your assumptions. That’s what keeps your mindset agile. It’s easy to fall back on past habits, but staying curious helps you grow.”

Finding that Perfect Balance

At the helm of a company that thrives on challenge and change, does Suzanne have any time at all for a quiet life? She laughs at the thought.

“Life and work are deeply intertwined,” she says. “After a long day, I might cook for my family, then get back online to check emails. They really do multiply endlessly!”

Weekends, however, are sacred. Suzanne loves Sunday lunches with family, watching rugby (especially BrightRock-sponsored teams like the Vodacom Bulls and DHL Stormers), and playing “mom’s taxi” to her teenagers.

“I also love getting lost in a good book or movie,” she adds. “Sometimes, you just need that pause before jumping back into the day.”

Given her early career switch from teaching to business, what would Suzanne be doing today if she wasn’t leading BrightRock? Her answer is simple: something that makes a difference.

“I’d always want to be part of work that improves the world, even in small ways,” she says. “That’s what drives me.”

A Life Lesson from Dr Seuss

Finally, is there any advice Suzanne can offer to those of us who are also learning to Love Change, and wanting to get fit for a brighter tomorrow? She smiles as she quotes her favourite childhood story.

“Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” by Dr. Seuss.

“I encourage people to embrace the idea of having ‘brains in your head and feet in your shoes’” says Suzanne. “Start taking small, initial steps, because progress creates momentum and opens up new possibilities.”

After each step, you have the opportunity to reevaluate and decide the next move. In change science, the concept is known as positive deviance.

You can’t just think yourself into a new way of doing things. It’s through action — trying, adapting, experimenting — that new ways of thinking and behaving emerge.

“It’s this process of action that leverages both our creativity and the science-based tools, systems, and frameworks that help us navigate change more effectively,” says Suzanne.

She quotes Dr Seuss once again.

“And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 per cent guaranteed.)”