Suzanne Bates (born January 11, 1956) is an American business consultant and executive coach based in Wellesley, Massachusetts who is regarded as an authority on executive communication. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] She wrote two books on business communications which were described as bestsellers. [7] She worked as an on-air reporter and anchor for television stations in Boston, Tampa and Philadelphia. [8] In 2000, Bates started her consulting firm, Bates Communications, to coach business executives in matters related to executive communication. [8] [9] It is based in Wellesley, a suburb of Boston. [8] Her firm advises clients such as Fidelity Investments, Raytheon, Dow Chemical, and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Bates was born in Danville, Illinois and received a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. She is an avid gardener. [10]