Speaker module

Danielle Heward is an operations, project, and change management professional with around 20 years' experience helping organisations transform and innovate. She specialises in turning complexity into clarity—designing operating models, systems, and change approaches that enable teams to collaborate effectively and bring new ideas to life. Danielle now focuses on supporting climate and social innovators, helping them scale their impact with strong operational foundations and thoughtful, people centred change management.
She founded Optimo, a Certified B Corp, in 2019 after a career in senior operations, consultancy, and transformation roles. Her work highlighted how essential well designed structures and cultures are for innovation to thrive, shaping Optimo’s mission to combine operational excellence with ethical and regenerative business practice.
Starting as a solo founder, she now runs Optimo with her wife, Vicky, as Co-Director and is supported by a trusted network of specialist associates. A model which reflects the adaptive, collaborative principles she champions.
Danielle helps leaders create the conditions where innovation can flourish—ensuring their ideas, teams, and impact can grow sustainably.