From founding her first company at 21 to building and exiting multiple tech ventures, Taryn Williams has spent her career at the intersection of talent, media and innovation. In this episode, the award-winning entrepreneur and director reflects on the mindset behind scaling fast-growing businesses, the challenge of stepping back as a founder, and how she's navigating the next wave of disruption through AI and digital transformation. Now serving on several boards across technology and creative industries, Taryn shares her perspective on how boards can better engage with brand and reputation — and why curiosity and emotional intelligence are fast becoming some of the most valuable skills in the boardroom. Key Themes:

· From founder to director: shifting from execution to oversight

· Building strong teams, mentors and advisory boards

· Boards' growing responsibility for brand and reputation

· Balancing AI opportunity with governance and guardrails

· The future skills boards will need — and why EQ matters most Click here for the video version of the podcast on YouTube

David Gallop AM — former CEO of the NRL and Football Australia —share lessons on leadership, crisis, and culture from a career spent in the spotlight.

In this conversation, David reflects on two decades at the helm of high-profile sports, the experiences he's carried into the boardroom, and what makes an effective chair in today's governance landscape.

Now chair of Venues NSW and Step One Clothing, and a director at Tabcorp and Cricket NSW, David gives insights on handling crises, the balance between board and management, and the art of succession planning.

Key themes:

• Staying calm and focused under scrutiny • Building trust and boundaries between board and management • The chair–CEO relationship and what makes it work • Diversity, gender balance and leadership pipelines • Culture, communication and respect in times of change

Naomi Simson is an experienced director, successful entrepreneur, and acclaimed author. She co-founded Big Red Group and helped it grow to become Australia's largest experience network. In this candid conversation, Naomi reflects on two decades of building and scaling businesses, the lessons learned stepping back from the CEO role, and why small business remains the backbone of Australia's economy. Naomi also shares her views on the evolving role of boards: how curiosity outperforms expertise, why brand and reputation belong in every risk conversation, and what directors can learn by "sitting in the customer's shoes."

Key themes:

· Why curiosity can be a director's greatest skill

· The board's role in brand, culture, and customer connection

• Purpose-driven leadership and culture
• Balancing growth with governance
• The human cost of overreliance on AI
• Protecting and empowering small business

This special podcast will take you inside the AICD's flagship Company Directors Course (CDC). Whether you're a current board member, aspiring director, or senior executive – the CDC is the gold standard in governance education. For more than 50 years, the course has helped shape more informed, capable and confident directors. In this podcast, you'll hear from three of the CDC's over 100,000 participants. We'll be unpacking what the course offers, how it equips board members for real-world challenges, and why the CDC is the right next step on your director journey. Thanks to our guests Shirley Chowdhary GAICD, Tim Longstaff GAICD and Nicky Sparshott GAICD. Click here for more information on the Company Directors Course.

Steve Hasker is the CEO and President of Thomson Reuters, plus a director with ASX-listed Appen. He was visiting Australia recently and took part in a special event with the AICD. We talked with Steve about the rise of artificial intelligence, lessons from his experiences with private equity, and the future of news and information.

Kate Jenkins AO GAICD is the Chair of the Australian Sports Commission and the Creative Workplaces Council. She's also a former Sex Discrimination Commissioner and led the landmark Respect@Work report. We talk with Kate about: her chair role at the ASC, gender targets for sports boards and progress since the release of the Respect@Work report. Click here for the AICD guide: "Positive duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment" Click here for research from the AICD and ACSI: "Positive duty: preventing and responding to workplace sexual harassment – Insights from Australian directors" Click here to read about the ASC's Sport Governance Principles

Rebecca McGrath FAICD is the Chair of Investa Property Group, plus a director with Macquarie Group and Bank, Djerriwarrh Investments and Melbourne Business School. We talk about: OZ Minerals' multi-billion-dollar acquisition by BHP, learnings from working overseas, and preparing for meetings at a new board. Plus, key insights on the board's role in an effective decarbonisation plan.

Lisa Chung AM FAICD is the chair of Australian Unity and the Front Project. She also has board roles with PwC Australia, AVJennings and the Foundation of the Art Gallery of NSW. We discuss: advice for new directors, governance at PwC Australia and lessons on being a successful chair. Plus, why boards need a sense of humour.

Audette Exel AO is the Chair of Adara Group and a director at Westpac. She's also a former board member at Suncorp and ex-Chair of the Bermuda Stock Exchange. We discuss: Adara's mission & purpose, learning from mistakes, and social entrepreneurship in action. Plus, what can boards do to better promote philanthropy?

Jessica Bulger MAICD is the CEO of the Australian Indigenous Governance Institute and the Co-Chair of Outward Bound Australia. We talk about: First Nations peoples' perspectives on governance, balancing executive and board roles, plus the benefits of a co-chair model.