Boardroom Conversations

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: OzMinerals’ 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.

David Kirk MAICD is the chair of Bailador Technology Investments, KMD Brands and KiwiHarvest. He’s also a former CEO at Fairfax Limited and captained the All Blacks to their first Rugby World Cup victory. We discuss: investing in Australia’s tech start-ups, what big companies can learn from smaller ones, and tips on preparing for board meetings. Plus, lessons from the sporting field on how to build high performing teams.

Jane Spring AM is the chair of the Australian Disability Strategy Advisory Council and the NSW Disability Council. She’s also chair at Sydney University Sport and a board member with Venues NSW. We speak with Jane about: advice for new board members, the importance of lived experience for boards in the disability sector, and her key questions for management.

Dr Susan Neuhaus AM CSC FAICD is a Council Member at the Australian War Memorial, plus a director with Aspen Medical, Medical Insurance Group Australia and Defence Health Limited. She’s also a practising surgeon and had a distinguished 20-year career in the Australian Army and Army Reserve. Susan talks with us about leadership lessons from the Australian Defence Force, governance at the Australian War Memorial and transferring skills from the operating theatre to the boardroom

Dr Ian Oppermann GAICD is a co-founder of ServiceGen, plus the former Chief Data Scientist for the New South Wales Government. He speak to us about: artificial intelligence opportunities, governance safeguards around the use of data, and what scientists can add to the boardroom.

Dr Larry Marshall FAICD is a director with Fortescue and Nanosonics, plus a former CEO at the CSIRO. We talk about: challenges in the transition to net zero, future technology trends and the board’s role in fostering innovation at their organisation.  

Virginia Bourke FAICD is the Chair of Mercy Health, Pro-Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University and a director with Catholic Health Australia. She speaks to us about: lessons from the pandemic on crisis management, challenges for the NFP sector and tips for resolving conflicts in the boardroom.