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Our learning support and mentoring programs in 90 Australian communities directly help children in need achieve their goals through education.
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Suzie Riddell appointed The Smith Family's Head of Evidence and Impact

05 November 2025

Suzie Riddell has been appointed the new Head of Evidence and Impact at national children’s education charity, The Smith Family.

Suzie brings extensive expertise in using data and evidence to drive social change, and a strong commitment to improving educational outcomes for children and young people. As the CEO of Social Ventures Australia (SVA), she led work, in collaboration with partners, to improve how data and evidence informed policy, shifted funding and changed practice across the social sector.

Among her achievements at SVA were helping to establish Evidence for Learning, The Parkville Institute and The Connection – initiatives that have strengthened how evidence, collaboration and leadership contribute to better outcomes for children and families.

“I have long admired The Smith Family’s evidence-led approach to improving educational opportunity and I’m excited to build on that work,” Suzie says.

“The Smith Family’s national scale and commitment to educational equity give it an extraordinary platform for impact. I’m excited to work with the team and partners to build on that strength and drive lasting change for children and young people across Australia.”

The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylor, says he is looking forward to being able to draw on Suzie’s skills and experience. “Suzie is known for joining the dots across complex systems, bringing people together around a shared purpose, and leading with clarity, care and a focus on results,” he says.

Suzie will start her new role at The Smith Family on the 1st of December.

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au

Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au

Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au

Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 186,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome. For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au

Media contacts:

Andrew Dickson | National Media Manager (National) - 0421 285 529 | andrew.dickson@thesmithfamily.com.au
Carla Horton | Senior Media Advisor (QLD & WA) - 0423 618 776 | carla.horton@thesmithfamily.com.au
Reid Jermyn | Media Advisor (VIC, SA & NT) - 0412 803 566 | reid.jermyn@thesmithfamily.com.au
Ben Chenoweth | Senior Media Advisor (NSW, ACT & TAS) - 0413 346 934 | ben.chenoweth@thesmithfamily.com.au

The Smith Family is a national children’s education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education. We partner with around 800 Australian schools and work with over 162,000 children and young people experiencing disadvantage access our education support programs to help them overcome. For more information, visit thesmithfamily.com.au