Sunny Bonnell
Sunny Bonnell is the co-founder and CEO of Motto, a brand strategy and design agency she built with her business partner Ashleigh Hansberger. Motto works with companies to develop brand identities, positioning, and purpose-driven strategies, serving clients across a range of industries. Bonnell is widely recognized as a creative entrepreneur who champions the idea that bold, visionary branding is a competitive advantage. Bonnell co-authored the book 'Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different,' which reframes unconventional traits — such as being rebellious, obsessive, or audacious — as strengths rather than liabilities. The book became a vehicle for her broader thought leadership on leadership, brand building, and embracing what makes individuals and organizations distinctively themselves. She is a sought-after speaker and has contributed to conversations around brand strategy, entrepreneurship, and visionary leadership at conferences and in media outlets. Her work at Motto and her writing have established her as a distinctive voice in the branding and marketing world.
Last updated Nov 1, 2026 by ATDb automated enrichment · Connections updated Nov 2, 2026
AI-drafted from public sources1 source cited
- Years in industry
- 15 years
Bio
Sunny Bonnell is the co-founder and CEO of Motto, a brand strategy and design agency she built with her business partner Ashleigh Hansberger. Motto works with companies to develop brand identities, positioning, and purpose-driven strategies, serving clients across a range of industries. Bonnell is widely recognized as a creative entrepreneur who champions the idea that bold, visionary branding is a competitive advantage. Bonnell co-authored the book 'Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different,' which reframes unconventional traits — such as being rebellious, obsessive, or audacious — as strengths rather than liabilities. The book became a vehicle for her broader thought leadership on leadership, brand building, and embracing what makes individuals and organizations distinctively themselves. She is a sought-after speaker and has contributed to conversations around brand strategy, entrepreneurship, and visionary leadership at conferences and in media outlets. Her work at Motto and her writing have established her as a distinctive voice in the branding and marketing world.
Career
co-founder and CEOCurrent
Roles with a cited source. All linked roles are in the Roles tab.
Expertise & education
Expertise
Speaking topics
Recognition
Notable achievements
- Co-founded Motto, a brand strategy and design agency with a national client base
- Co-authored 'Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different' with Ashleigh Hansberger
Publications
- Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different (HarperCollins, 2019)