At 12 years old Suzie Riddell started a ‘little social enterprise’, publishing a class newsletter where the proceeds went to charity. It was a sign of things to come.
Just a few years in to a career at Bain & Co – eager to again put her talents towards addressing social disadvantage – Suzie made a leap of faith and joined the then tiny consulting team at Social Ventures Australia. Five years later she helps lead a team of 70 (most of whom also made the jump from the corporate sector) who are equally as passionate about social change. A dream job!
Growing up, what kind of career did you want to pursue?
I wanted to be a businessperson and a philanthropist. At 12 I started a little social enterprise where I published a class newsletter and sold it to my classmates, with all proceeds going to charity. I also wanted to be a teacher, a journalist, an adventurer, a scientist and a performer!
Who inspires you?
My parents are incredibly inspirational and both have so much courage and passion. They immigrated to Australia and started a new life here from scratch. They are both ahead of their times and have thrived in many different careers. Mum founded multiple tech startups, worked as a counsellor and is now an art therapist. Dad was a racing car driver, ran factories, founded tech startups too and is an inventor.
Who (apart from you) is most surprised by your achievements?
I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive people throughout my life. If anyone is surprised by my achievements, they have kindly kept very quiet about it.
How have women helped shape your success to date?
There are a few outstanding teachers who really influenced me, encouraged me and sparked my ambition. I owe a lot to Mrs Bawtree, Miss Elsie, Mrs Lee and Mrs Turner. Throughout my career I’ve worked with plenty of smart and savvy women, who have kept me on a steep learning curve.
What qualities do you most admire in a female colleague?
Respect and integrity.
What’s the key to successfully balancing work and life?
I know what energises me and I try to make sure I include plenty of that in my week. Sleep, exercise and time with my girlfriends are guaranteed to boost my positivity and creativity. I know I’m nicer and more productive when these are in place. I try to follow the wise advice of doing the most important stuff first. It’s definitely a work in progress for me. I’m also fortunate to work for an organisation that promotes flexibility, which is a huge help!
If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it?
A bike ride or run in the park would make me feel great. Then I would probably be bored of being by myself and want to do something fun with my husband and son or with some friends.
Who do you regard as your mentor?
I have many mentors. In my mind I think of it as a diverse advisory panel and I approach different people on different topics. They act as sounding boards, chastisers and cheerleaders, depending on the situation.
What personal attributes have you used to overcome adversity in your life?
Becoming a new parent was the hardest thing I have ever done and in the early days of my son’s life it was a pretty bumpy ride. I am an optimist and very stubborn and both character traits helped me. But the real reason I got through was the love, support and practical help of my husband, family and friends.
If you could make one change to women’s lives, what would it be and why?
I admire the men who are being trailblazers and adopting flexible work practices. When men start taking advantage of flexibility in droves, then the conversation will have to shift.
What is the hardest part of your job?
I work at Social Ventures Australia because I am passionate about helping to improve the lives of people in need. The hardest part of my job is working out how to allocate the relatively small amount of time and money we have in order to have the largest possible impact. We amplify our impact by focusing on our strengths and always working in partnership.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to success in your field?
To address society’s most important issues, we need lots of people from diverse backgrounds working together to create innovative and high-impact solutions. So for anyone who wants to have a positive social impact, combine your skills and talents with your passion and just go for it!