Welcome to the Take on Board podcast, where we talk all things boards and governance. Being on a board can be interesting, valuable and exciting. Yet it can also be lonely, challenging and hard. Each week I talk to women who have been there, done that. Together we'll discover what we need to take on board to be your best in the boardroom.
https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the Take on Board podcast, where we talk all things boards and governance. Being on a board can be interesting, valuable and exciting. Yet it can also be lonely, challenging and hard. Each week I talk to women who have been there, done that. Together we'll discover what we need to take on board to be your best in the boardroom.
https://helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take On Board Podcast, I'm speaking with Louise Brockman about well, all things advisory boards. This is part of an advisory board mini-series in today's episode one, where we will discuss the history, purpose, structure, and impact of advisory boards.
Louise is on the advisory board of the Advisory Board centre, so if that's not the peak of all advisory boards, I'm not sure what is. And she's been on, well, heaps of advisory boards. She's the founder and CEO of the Advisory Board centre, and having had first-hand life-changing experience with her advisory board in a previous business, Louise researched and tested the advisory board sector for five years before establishing the world's first professional body for the advisory board sector.
She knows all there is to know.
Links and Resources
ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board Podcast, I’m speaking with Katie Constantinou about onboarding new directors.
Katie is on the board of Harbison, an aged care organisation in regional New South Wales. She also sits on several committees: the New South Wales Justices Association Southern Highlands branch and the BDCU Grads Committee. She’s formerly been on the boards of Wingecarribee Adult Day Centres, a not-for-profit service that provides social opportunities within a group setting for older people and people living with dementia.
Katie is a mother of two high school children and a proud nerd about governance and legal issues. She has a deep knowledge of administrative, legal and governance frameworks, policies and practices. She’s an experienced non-executive director, adviser, public servant, legal professional, and leader of diverse Government and Community Services. Katie’s passion lies in developing collaborative stakeholder relationships and partnerships.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in linguistics and modern Greek from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws from ANU. Katie is a New South Wales Justice of the Peace, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.
Links and Resources
Katie Constantinou on LinkedIn
The Key to Director Onboarding (The Corporate Director Podcast) https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/inside-todays-boardrooms-the-key-to-director-onboarding/id1462449171?i=1000664068655AICD
Elevating the client voice to boards (AICD article) https://www.aicd.com.au/good-governance/public-trust/organisation/elevating-the-client-voice-to-boards.html
Recruitment and onboarding process example (Word doc) https://helgasvendsen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Take-on-Board-podcast-Recruitment-and-onboarding-process-example.docx
Board vacancy advertisement example (Word doc) https://helgasvendsen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Take-on-Board-podcast-Board-vacancy-advertisement.docx
Invitation to join as an Observer example (Word doc) https://helgasvendsen.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Take-on-Board-podcast-Invitation-to-join-as-an-Observer.docx
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This year’s final podcast episode is always a special one for me—it’s my chance to pause, reflect, and invite you into the RSVP process that’s become a yearly ritual. I love grabbing a pen, scribbling on the worksheet (available below) and taking a proper look back at the year that’s just gone.
Here is a high-level breakdown of the RSVP!
Reflect / Review
Superpowers / Strengths
Values
Purpose
I walk you through all the steps in the podcast and the YouTube video.
Thank you to my amazing team, the Take on Board community, and everyone who has been part of this year. I hope you’ll use the RSVP worksheet and take some well-deserved time to reflect as the year wraps up!
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to the final Take on Board event for 2025. Dominique Hes is here to explore the innovative concept of integrating nature into boardroom governance. Dominique introduces the groundbreaking concept of treating nature as a guardian in the boardroom, inspired by a UK initiative. She explains how this approach promotes environmental responsibility within organizational governance.
Dominique responded to questions from the Take on Board community. Here are a few to give you a sense of the dynamic conversation during the event.
Links and Resources
All of Dominique's Take on Board episodes
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Linh Do about the Take On Board accelerator program. This is a program I run, and many of you will know that earlier this year, I did a miniseries on the podcast about professional development options and forgot to do my own.
Linh is the chair of the Climate Action Network Australia and AktivAsia, and a board member of the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation. She's also a member of the research committee at the Center for Policy Development. She was formerly on the board of the Center for Sustainability Leadership because I was on the board there as well, although I don't think we were on it at the same time. And she's been on a range of government advisory groups.
Linh has a background in climate advocacy in leadership, and she's currently the director of the Wattle Fellowship at the University of Melbourne.
Links and Resources
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Diana Nestorovska about considering and managing geopolitical risk in the boardroom.
Diana is Deputy chair of South Gippsland Water Corporation, and she has previously been on the boards of Melba Support Services Limited, Sexual Health Victoria and the University of Wollongong University Council. She's also been a member of the Latrobe University Human Research Ethics Committee and a public representative on the Australian Press Council.
As of yesterday, Diana is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and she brings 20 years of experience across law, diplomacy, enterprise risk, and for-purpose leadership. She's a former Australian diplomat and has represented Australian interests in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Links and Resources
For a macro, global outlook: World Economic Forum Global Risk Report 2025 -
Lowy Institute for an Australian and Asia-Pacific Outlook
For information on Australia's bilateral relationship with specific countries, DFAT Country Briefs are a great source of information
AICD for numerous articles on geopolitical risk aimed at directors and executives - www.aicd.com.au
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week on the Take on Board podcast, Ari Magalhaes joined a great group of Take on Board community members to answer any and all questions about organisational turnarounds, building on her previous insights from our recent podcast episode.
Ari emphasised the critical importance of understanding financial statements for board directors and outlined specific key performance indicators (KPIs) that signal potential risks within organizations.
Links and Resources
OmniStrategic Impact Framework
Episode 327: Ari Magalhaes knows business turnarounds and says you can too
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Fiona David about understanding modern slavery risk.
Fiona is on the boards of ACCESS-NRI, Australia's climate simulator, and the Coolaroo Foundation, a philanthropic organisation, and an alternate director on the Forrest Research Foundation for Nicola Forrest. Lawyer, human rights expert, and founder of Fair Futures, Fiona, is leading the charge in helping organisations tackle issues such as modern slavery in their supply chains.
Having led the creation of the landmark Global Slavery Index, she is an expert in helping companies embed ethical and sustainable practices, proving that commercial success doesn’t need to come at the expense of human rights or the environment.
Links and Resources
Fiona on the Fair Futures website
Recent articles that give practical insights and tips for Board Directors on understanding modern slavery risk:
Why Human Rights Need to Sit at the Board Level
How to embed modern slavery human rights due diligence into strategy
The Walk Free Global Slavery Index provides valuable country-by-country information that Board Directors will typically see referenced in their organisations' MSA statements.
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Moira Junge about the importance of sleep for board directors.
Moira was on the Sleep Health Foundation Board for six years before stepping into the inaugural CEO role. She's also an advisory board member at Healthylife. Moira is a public health advocate, a clinical health psychologist, an adjunct associate professor, and a former registered nurse.
After three decades on the front lines treating mental and physical health challenges, she made the switch from intervention to prevention. Moira aims to bring clarity, credibility, and urgency to one of the most overlooked and misunderstood pillars of mental and physical health - sleep.
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Giselle McLachlan about creating the future in the boardroom.
Giselle is on the boards of AbacusBio and Chairs the Audit and Risk Committee of Local Government New Zealand. Grounded founder Giselle is a governance and leadership specialist. Giselle is all about down-to-earth governance and business advice, and thrives on building sustainable businesses alongside healthy leaders and lives.
Giselle loves working with others who love learning, growing, and creating a better future.
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Ari Magalhaes about business turnarounds.
Ari is on the boards of Palliative Care Tasmania, serves as Deputy Chair of Women's Health Tasmania, and is part of the Community Advisory Committee of Red Nose Australia. Ari is a global economist, non-executive director, and board advisor with a track record helping ASX private and purpose-led organisations navigate disruption and deliver measurable value.
She's driven over $110 million in outcomes, a five to 10% profit uplift across sectors such as energy, health, government, and aged care. Ari helps boards and senior leadership turn complexity into clarity, whether managing regulatory change, financial pressure, emerging technologies (like AI) or internal misalignments.
She designs decision systems that make tough trade-offs visible, oversight effective, and strategy executable. She'll tell you what's ahead, show you the red pill or the blue pill, and help you choose the best possible next step.
Links and Resources
EVENT: Organisational Turnarounds with Aria
OmniStrategic Impact Framework
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Francie Doolan about the Small Giants Academy, Governing for Purpose program.
Francie has been working with boards since her early twenties, wearing many different hats over the last 25 years.
So, having to switch between lots of different mindsets is something she talks more about in our conversation. She has been a consultant from big four professional service firm reporting to listed boards. She's held management roles as CEO and CFO, reported to boards, served as a board director and board chair and acted as a committee member and facilitator.
Francie sits on the board of Impact Funds Management, so it's pretty heavy on the compliance. And then also on the board of many for-purpose boards, including Small Giants Academy. Outside of the Small Giants ecosystem, Francie sits on the board of RIAA, the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, and she's a governor with WWF Australia. So, all of those years of experience and different hats and mindsets are baked into the Governing for Purpose program, which she's excited to tell us more about today
Links and Resources
Small Giants Academy Governing for Purpose program
One Minute Governance with Matt Fullbrook (Canadian governance expert) - I love that it's short, asks provocative questions, and encourages experimenting and trying new things in the board room
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today, on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kim Sullivan about the AICD Company Directors' course.
Kim serves on the board of the Kensington Neighbourhood House and is also the Chief Operating Officer of ORIMA Research, leading the people and culture, IT administration, and other enabling functions of the business.
She's also a social researcher, having worked for over 20 years, conducting research for state and federal government clients. Kim is qualified in law, social science, and psychology, and lives with her family in the inner west of Melbourne.
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Ngaire Anderson about the Australian Institute of Company Directors ' Boardroom Mastery program.
Ngaire serves on the board of IPC Health, where she holds the positions of Deputy Chair and Chair of the Clinical Governance and Clinical Risk Committee. She has formally been on the boards of Heathcote Health, Bendigo Community Health, and Remembrance Park Central Victoria.
Following 16 years as a paramedic, Ngaire has held non-executive, executive, and leadership roles, primarily in the health and community sectors. She is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course. As we will hear more about today, having recently completed the AICD's Boardroom Mastery program, Ngaire has served in various non-executive director roles across government and not-for-profit sectors.
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Jane Davel about director development options in New Zealand.
Jane is on the board of St. Andrews Village Trust and Rowing New Zealand, and she's also a trustee of the New Zealand Rowing Foundation. She's formerly been on the boards of government and for-purpose organizations of varying sizes and sectors, including the social service sector, property and construction investment, and arts and heritage.
Jane has been serving on boards for almost a decade and enjoys the challenges and the variety of the boardroom, which includes different organizations, people, and sectors. The variety of board work keeps her interested and engaged. Before entering governance, Jane held senior executive roles across various service industries, including banking and finance, health, entertainment, and telecommunications.
She's a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, the Australian Institute of Company, directors and Women on Boards Australia.
Links and Resources
Episode 128: Jane Davel offers some ideas if board members are causing trouble
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Jennifer Duncan, and we'll be talking about the Governance for Social Impact program. This is part of a miniseries that I'm doing about director development.
Jennifer is on the boards of Focus One Health Foundation South Australia, and she's also a member of the South Australia Northern Territory Council for the Governance Institute of Australia.
She has a long list of former boards: South Australian Council of Social Service, the Australian Youth Affairs Council, Justice Reinvestment, the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia, the South Australian Health and Community Service Skills Board, and the Australian Red Cross, South Australian Division.
Jennifer owns and runs a business called Uncommon Good. Uh. This business provides consultancy and ongoing support to philanthropic foundations and not-for-profit organizations, predominantly in South Australia. And she focuses on strategy, design, and implementation. Her work is informed by almost 20 years in leadership roles within the for-purpose sector and her passionate commitment to leaving this world a better place than she found it.
Links and Resources
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kiki Paul about the Institute of Community Directors Australia and their professional development course, Diploma of Governance. This is part of the professional development for board directors mini series.
Kiki is on the boards of Go Gentle Australia and is the chair of the Australian Online Giving Foundation. Formally been on the boards of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter, PANDSI and a founding member of Cancer Chicks. Kiki is an experienced CEO and non-executive director from 2016 to 2022.
She was the CEO of Go Gentle Australia, a national charity instrumental in the passage of voluntary assisted dying laws in all six states of Australia. She has held various board roles for not-for-profit organisations. She is currently the CEO of the Community Transport Organisation, a peak body for community transport providers in New South Wales.
Links and Resources
Episode 259: Kiki Paul details how to move from CEO to non-executive director
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Natasha de Silva about the Respect@Work report, her work on Respect@Work, and the seven standards that need to be complied with.
Natasha is on the boards of Plan International Australia, Impact Pathways, James C Financial Services and Eyeplant. She has formerly been on the boards of Full Stop Australia, and Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College. She is also a member of the Nominations Committee of Basketball Australia, which is where we first crossed paths.
Natasha is the founder of Intersection and is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in human rights and equality. She's a sought-after advisor on workplace culture, working with leaders across the public and private sectors to create safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. The Respect@Work report is the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, led by Kate Jenkins AO, the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner. In January of this year, she was appointed a sessional commissioner at the Victorian Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission for a five-year term.
Links and Resources
Governing for positive duty obligations
Governing for psychosocial hazards and risks
Governing for workplace gender equality
And the in-person Respect@Work Masterclass for Boards hosted by Kate Jenkins and Natasha de Silva
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take on Board podcast, Candice DeVille is back to answer all your questions about AI readiness for boards. She shares insights on translating board directives into actionable strategies, understanding the intent behind AI initiatives, and clarifying business problems AI aims to solve. Candice also outlines four key questions to ask when considering AI projects, including intent, specific business problems, measurable success, and delivery timelines. She emphasizes aligning AI initiatives with strategic objectives and introduces a feasibility matrix for prioritizing projects based on impact and achievability.
The discussion also covers critical risk factors in AI implementation, such as data, operational, model, regulatory, and reputational risks, and introduces an AI industry risk pyramid. Candice answers listener questions on recommended AI governance courses, the climate impact of AI, funding opportunities for non-profits in AI, addressing "shadow AI" use in organizations, and convincing management to adopt AI. She stresses the importance of foundational AI understanding, practical experience for management, and clear communication from boards.
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kate Larsen about the ethics of AI.
Kate, although eager ears will know that Kate has already been on the podcast. Kate is an arts, cultural and nonprofit consultant and writer with more than 25 years of experience in Australia, Asia, and the UK. Recently returned to Naarm/Melbourne. Kate has particular expertise in arts, governance, and cultural leadership, workplace culture and wellbeing, and digital and community-engaged practice.
Kate's been on the podcast before, episode 254, on why Palestine is a governance issue that every board should be talking about. And she's currently leading a national conversation about governance reform based on the provocation that 'nearly everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong'. This was the title of her TEDx talk on the subject last year, so we'll put a link to that in the show notes as well.
Links and Resources
Kate's latest article on this subject on ArtsHub
And another thing vlog: AI and governance
And another thing vlog: Meta's grand theft AusLit
Why (nearly) everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong*, TedX Castlemaine
Upcoming TOB Events
You might want to:
Join the Take on Board Facebook community
Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community
Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program
Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.