Social Ventures Australia (SVA) CEO to step down.
Social Ventures Australia (SVA) Chair, Rob Koczkar, has announced that SVA CEO Suzie Riddell has informed the Board that she will be stepping down in late 2024.
Previously SVA’s Chief Strategy Officer, Ms Riddell became CEO in September 2018. Her leadership has seen SVA refine its role as Australia’s most innovative social impact organisation. This has included launching award-winning innovations such as Synergis Fund, Evidence for Learning, and the Employer Innovation Lab that work to solve challenging social problems. Most recently, Ms Riddell established the SVA Innovation Hub to strengthen and streamline the creation of these impactful Australian first initiatives.
Mr Koczkar shared that Ms Riddell will transition out of her role as CEO towards the end of 2024, and that the recruitment process for SVA’s next CEO will begin shortly. He noted that the recruitment of a CEO is one of the most important responsibilities of the Board, adding that the Board intends to run a thorough process to ensure a smooth leadership transition for the SVA team and partners.
In making the announcement, Mr Koczkar highlighted the immense contribution that Ms Riddell had made to the organisation during her more than 13-year tenure.
“Thanks to Suzie’s vision and leadership, SVA is a vital contributor to social impact in Australia today. In particular, I would like to call out her focus on harnessing the power of innovation for social good. On behalf of the SVA Board, I would like to thank Suzie for her commitment to SVA’s vision of an Australia where all people can live their best life. We are grateful for the dedication she has shown to this organisation and the position of strength she leaves it in.”
Ms Riddell said “It’s been a privilege to lead this amazing organisation for the past five and a half years. I am so proud of SVA’s role in helping people and communities thrive. My time as CEO has been incredibly meaningful to me, and I’m deeply grateful to the wonderful SVA team and our partners who work so hard to create positive impact in the world.
I know that SVA will continue to play an important role in leading the charge to help solve challenging social problems.”
The SVA Board have announcedthat they would like to take the time to fully acknowledge Suzie's leadership of SVA closer to the departure. Theywill be initiating a recruitmentprocess shortly.
