The Van Wezel Foundation has announced the promotion of Suzanne Hudson-Smith to the newly created position of director of leadership and legacy giving. Hudson-Smith will be responsible for the strategic growth of legacy and planned gifts to advance fundraising goals in her new role, which began on March 1, 2022.

Hudson-Smith joined the foundation team in 2020 as associate director of leadership gifts. She acquired her certified fundraising executive certificate in 2013 and is currently working to attain the chartered advisor in philanthropy credentials to create opportunities for deeper conversations for legacy gifts that honor donor passions around the performing arts. Hudson-Smith’s previous positions have included executive director of the Jacksonville Public Library Foundation, director of development for the historic Florida Theatre, vice-president of development for WNIN Public Media for PBS/NPR and a corporate background with Frito-Lay Community Relations.