Take on Board - podcast cover

Take on Board

Helga Svendsenhelgasvendsen.com.au

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/

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Episodes

Can I get some help over here? Tips for putting together an advisory board with Louise Broekman

Today on the Take On Board Podcast, Helga is speaking with Louise Broekman about the emergence of advisory boards, and why they are a growing area of work in portfolios. Louise is the founder and CEO of the Advisory Board Centre. Having had firsthand life changing experience with her advisory board in a previous business, Louise researched and tested the advisory board sector for five years prior to establishing the world's first professional body for the advisory board sector. Louise’s entrepre...

Sep 15, 202030 minSeason 1Ep. 62

Insights from the Take on Board Breakfast - Linda White on distress signals boards should be on the lookout for

Today on the Take on Board podcast, things are a little different. A couple of weeks ago, people from around the world congregated on Zoom to meet, network, laugh and share insights with like-minded people as part of August’s Take on Board Breakfast. In a Take on Board first, Helga interviewed Linda White live for the breakfast participants. Following that discussion, Linda fields questions from the group. This is an edited version of those conversations. To make sure you don’t miss a moment of ...

Sep 08, 202037 minSeason 1Ep. 63

From the top down: setting the diversity agenda with Elana Rubin

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga’s speaking to Elana Rubin about diversity and culture. Elana is on the boards of Afterpay Ltd, Telstra Ltd, Slater & Gordon Ltd, and several unlisted government entities. She’s previously been on the boards of AustralianSuper, Mirvac, ME Bank, WorkSafe Victoria and TAC. Elana started her career in social policy and industrial relations at the ACTU before moving to superannuation, where she was the investment director for a large industry super fund. ...

Sep 01, 202033 minSeason 1Ep. 61

"We should really be on Facebook": Navigating the world of marketing and boards with Kate Badgery-Parker

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking to Kate Badgery-Parker about what boards need to think about when considering marketing issues and making sure they stay in a strategic space. Kate is on the board of a Onemda and not for profit disability services provider supporting more than 200 adults with intellectual disabilities. She's also a member of the risk and compliance subcommittee. Kate is also the vice chair and Treasurer of marketing women incorporated Victoria, a small volun...

Aug 25, 202028 minSeason 1Ep. 60

Get to know a board's role in creating regenerative economies with Jenny Andersson

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking to Jenny Andersson about The role of boards in creating regenerative economies Jenny is on the Board of Coast to Capital, an organisation that seeks to ensure that their local towns and cities are known around the world as fantastic places to live. She is a creative strategist and trusted advisor who has worked with global brands, scale-ups and start-ups for over 30 years on communications and sustainability strategies. Today she concentrates...

Aug 18, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 58

How to deal with a 'bad boss' in the boardroom with Michelle Gibbings

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking to Michelle Gibbings about her new book, Bad Boss and about the relationship between the board and CEO, between the CEO and their direct reports and organisational culture and leadership. You might remember Helga interviewed Michelle last year about one of her previous books Step Up: How to Build Your Influence at Work . Michelle has just released a further book called Bad Boss: what to do if you work for one, manage one or are one , which un...

Aug 11, 202032 minSeason 1Ep. 59

Using lessons from netball to build up your perfect board with Rochelle Courtenay

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking with Rochelle Courtenay about being a founder of an organisation, board meetings and surrounding yourself with skills and strengths. Rochelle is Share the Dignity’s founder and Managing Director; the title she is most proud of though is ‘Pad Lady’. Rochelle has led a team of volunteers collecting around 2.5 million sanitary products across Australia. When Rochelle first learnt of homeless women going without basic sanitary items during their ...

Aug 04, 202025 minSeason 1Ep. 57

What's your definition of board diversity? Rethinking what it means with Rachel Watson

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga’s speaking with Rachel Watson about diversity on boards and what that means to her and her organisations. Rachel is the CEO of Pacific Hydro and Chair of the Clean Energy Council. Prior to joining Pacific Hydro, Rachel worked as in-house counsel in Sydney and Melbourne for Orica Ltd, and spent three years in Japan working for a major turbine supplier. She has over 20 years’ experience in major transactions and leading teams in a wide range of business fu...

Jul 28, 202035 minSeason 1Ep. 56

Good as gold: how to tackle your board responsibilities with Michele Ashby

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Michele Ashby about board work and the responsibilities of chairing committees. Michele is on the boards of McEwan Mining and has previously been on the boards of Lake Victoria Gold, Lucky Strike Mining, Lithium X and Green Energy Corp. She was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business in Colorado for 2019 and is the President and founder of Ashby Consulting Enterprises & Corporate Directors International. She is the origina...

Jul 21, 202035 minSeason 1Ep. 55

Using tech to help onboard new directors with Maryanne Puli Vogels

Today on the Take On Board Podcast, Helga is speaking with Maryanne Puli Vogel's about how she leveraged technology to better prepare new directors. Maryanne is passionate and inspired by the divergence of learning and technology. She is always looking to improve the way businesses and health institutions leverage and streamline their operations with new technologies. She's led and managed teams virtually for over 20 years sharing her expertise in the successful implementation of online educatio...

Jul 14, 202027 minSeason 1Ep. 53

Happy Birthday Take on Board: An interview with Helga Svendsen

Today on the Take on Board Podcast, in celebration of Take on Board’s first birthday, the microphone is turned towards Helga! She sits down for an across the world chat with producer, Buffy Gorrilla. Helga shares how she caught governance fever, her decision to leave law and what her hopes are for the podcast in year two. Spoiler: grow the community. So, be a Helga, use your joining gene and come be part of the active and supportive Take on Board community today! Come to a Take on Board event, j...

Jul 07, 202030 minSeason 1Ep. 54

World in turmoil? Here's how board leaders set the tone with Sara Faivre

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Sara Faivre about social unrest, COVID-19 and the board's role in setting the tone. Sara has a background in agriculture and biotechnology, Her own transformative journey from the research lab to the boardroom has led to a career devoted to helping others integrate profit and purpose. Sara is a public and private company board director and business evolution coach from Austin, Texas. She is on the boards of Farmer Mac (NYSE:AGM), One More Clo...

Jun 30, 202027 minSeason 1Ep. 52

Insights from the Take on Board Breakfast - Claudia Fatone on governing Cricket Victoria during COVID-19

Today on the Take on Board podcast, things are a little different. On May 20th, people from around the world congregated on Zoom to meet, network, laugh and share insights with like-minded people as part of the first Take on Board Breakfast. These are the highlights. Plus, you get to meet Claudia Fatone, who was one of the guest speakers at the event. Claudia is a board member of the Victoria Law Foundation, the Federation of Community Legal Centres and a Director of Cricket Victoria, Melbourne ...

Jun 23, 202023 minSeason 1Ep. 51

A board's role in rethinking risk with Susan Staples

Today on the Take on Board podcast, things are a little different. You will hear from Susan Staples, a governance and risk specialists with extensive experience in sustainability, health and NFP. She’s interested in how governance supports better risk management including supporting “better” decision making, i.e. decision making that takes into account a range of competing stakeholder interests. Her specialties include Risk Management, Board advisory and Corporate governance; Stakeholder engagem...

Jun 16, 202033 minSeason 1Ep. 50

Women! Own your success and be prepared to talk about it with Jan Molino

Today on the Take on board podcast, Helga is speaking with Jan Molino about how getting on a board starts with you. Jan is on the Aging Life Care Association Advisory Board and is an active member of both the International Women's Forum and the DC chapter of International Women's Forum. She is also an emeritus member of the George Mason University Women in Business Advisory Board. Jan is the President and CEO of Aspire Ascend, a consulting firm that provides a comprehensive portfolio and board c...

Jun 09, 202028 minSeason 1Ep. 49

Adding socioeconomic diversity to your board with Rhonda Brighton-Hall

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking with Rhonda Brighton Hall about culture, diversity change and what makes a good chair. Rhonda is a director of Making Work Absolutely Human. And she writes and speaks for the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In fact, Helga heard her speak at the AICD Governance Summit and couldn't get near her afterwards because there was so many people surrounding her wanting to ask questions. So she sent her a tweet and voila - she’s here today to...

Jun 02, 202034 minSeason 1Ep. 48

That's positive! Using language to build relationships with Dr Melinda Muth

Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Dr. Melinda Muth about how effective relationships are built on effective conversations and how effective conversations are built on positive language. Melinda is on the boards of Harvard Club Australia Philanthropy and Curious Works and she has previously been on the boards of Indigenous Community Volunteers, Heart Kids New South Wales, Union University and Schools Club and Quest for life Foundation. Melinda is an educator and consultant who...

May 26, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 47

Establishing an Advisory Council with Jocelyn Furlan

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Jocelyn Furlan. Jocelyn has returned to cover some of the topics she and Helga didn’t have time to get to in their first chat, such as governance challenges and the establishment of and her role on the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal Advisory Council. Her passion is an Australian community empowered and confident about their financial affairs. She works with financial service providers to maximise member and customer centricity in their pr...

May 19, 202034 minSeason 1Ep. 46

Encouraging your boards to use competitive intelligence with Babette Bensoussan

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga’s speaking with Babette Bensoussan about strategy and competitive intelligence. Babette is on the board of Volunteering Sunshine Coast, and she's formerly been a director of the National Australia Day Council, the New South Wales Board of Adult and Community Education and Eastside Radio. As a decision making maverick. Babette assists organisations to make better competitive decisions and assist individuals to make better decisions about their life, caree...

May 12, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 45

Know your board role in a crisis with Dr Emily Moore

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga's speaking with Dr. Emily Moore about being an effective board member and the role of a board in a crisis. Emily is on the boards of Metrolinx, which is a provincial crown corporation providing regional commuter rail and bus services for Toronto and Chemtrade logistics, a Toronto Stock Exchange listed industrial chemical organization. She's also finishing up on HalTech Regional innovation and she's formerly been a director of St. Mildred's-Lightbourn Sch...

May 05, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 44

An introduction to integrity governance with Jo-Anne Moorfoot

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is peaking with Jo-Anne Moorfoot about integrity governance. Jo-Anne explains what it is and why it's important. Jo-Anne is on the boards of the West Gippsland Healthcare Group and Best Chance Child and Family Services. With a career spanning over 30 years Jo-Anne has extensive experience in the health sector, with particular expertise in risk management, clinical governance and effective consumer engagement. Jo-Anne is experienced in transformational or...

Apr 28, 202033 minSeason 1Ep. 43

Here's some help for communicating in a crisis with Ingrid Svendsen

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Ingrid Svendsen about communicating in a crisis. Ingrid is the co-founder and chair of the East Timor Hearts Fund, and she's also the past president of the Darebin Parklands Association. Her first board was the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance Victorian Branch Councillor. Ingrid is a crisis communication professional who has specialised in the age, disability and health sectors for around 10 years. She's the co-owner of Grounded Communic...

Apr 21, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 42

Using your passions to build your board portfolio with Julie Green

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking with Julie Green about getting on a board and building a board portfolio around your areas of influence and passion. This alignment of your skills to a board role is key. Helga explores how to highlight your own points of difference in her conversation with Julie. Julie is a board member of the RACV which is the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, RACV Finance, Bendigo Health, Maldon Hospital, Loddon Mallee Waste and Resource Recovery , Greeni...

Apr 14, 202029 minSeason 1Ep. 36

Understanding how the new COVID-19 laws can protect businesses with Samantha Kinsey

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga is speaking with Samantha Kinsey about some of the new Australian laws relating to directors arising out of the Covid=19 pandemic. First, let me tell you about Samantha. Samantha is a restructuring and insolvency partner in the Melbourne Office of King and Wood Mallesons. Samantha acts for diverse stakeholders in relation to distressed situations including finances, shareholders, insolvency practitioners and potential acquirers. Samantha explains there c...

Apr 07, 202022 minSeason 1Ep. 41

Don't be a Carla, the rules of network engagement with Sheila Ronning

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Sheila Ronning about using your network and your personal brand to help you get on boards. Sheila broke the mould in 2002, launching Women in the Boardroom as the first to form such an organisation with customised executive training programs and networking opportunities. She has created a proven program and process to get women their first second or third corporate board seat. Her first board was the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce in the lat...

Mar 31, 202035 minSeason 1Ep. 40

When there was still time to get ahead of COVID-19 with Jocelyn Furlan

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Jocelyn Furlan. Initially we had planned to speak about being an effective board member, governance challenges and the establishment of the Superannuation Complaints Tribunal Advisory Council and where that led - and we’ll get to that in a future episode, I promise. But we changed the focus of this conversation, because Jocelyn worked with one of her boards this week on something many businesses, schools and non-profits are going to have to f...

Mar 24, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 39

AICD Australian Governance Summit 2020 recap with Helga

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga recaps the Australian Institute of Company Directors conference. So here is what Helga heard during the two-day conference peppered with some of her thoughts on topics that were raised and things for you to think about. You might also want to have a look at Helga’s Twitter feed ( https://twitter.com/helgasvendsen?lang=en ) from this period, she live tweeted most of the sessions that she attended and managed to remember the details It was a jam packed con...

Mar 17, 202034 minSeason 1Ep. 38

CEO and chair working towards a no surprise policy with Sally Davis

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Sally Davis about the relationship between the CEO and the board. Sally's a consultant and she specialises in strategic planning, leadership and organisational development. She works with clients in a range of sectors including the arts, universities and the not for profit sector. She’s got a fascinating background, Sally started out as a ‘connie’ on the trams. Of course, Melburnians will know what that means, but for those of you not in or f...

Mar 10, 202027 minSeason 1Ep. 37

Through the board portal with Jodie Willmer

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga speaks with Jodie Willmer about board portals. Some boards have adopted this tool to make sharing information easier and more secure. Depending on which platform you use, you could be saying farewell to paper for good. Imagine going into your next board meeting armed with just a tablet, confident that everything you need will be there - and there’s nothing to shred at the end. Jodie is co-founder of Happy Changemakers, an organisation that helps social e...

Mar 03, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 35

#Yougotthistechnology - finding your way in the tech landscape with Jennifer George

Today on the Take on Board podcast, Helga sits down with Jennifer George to cover how you can make a valuable contribution in discussions around technology, even if you're not a technology whiz, in the boardroom. Jennifer is Head of Growth at Bay City Labs at Australian Computer Society (ACS). Jennifer has a background in finance. She's made several companies (a concept she explains) and worked in more than 50 industry sectors, including new energy, biotech, telecommunications, digital twins, bl...

Feb 25, 202031 minSeason 1Ep. 34