Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm recording of a conversation with Cathy Robinson and Reena Rihan from The Observership program.

They have asked me to do a session with their current participants around pathways to the boardroom. So for their current participants, as they're coming to the end of their year as an Observership participant, what can they be thinking about to get on a board? And we thought we would record an introductory Q&A session for people to watch before we come together for a live Q&A session. 

So here is that conversation.

Links and Resources

The Observership Program

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Take on Board podcast, I introduce the Institute of Community Directors Australia’s new Board Payment Wizard and why it’s a useful way for boards to think through whether paying directors is right for their organisation.

I share how the tool can be used individually or as a group, and the kinds of prompts it includes—legality, affordability, turnover, recruitment and retention, inclusion of consumers, director workload and expenses, accountability, and stakeholder support—without trying to deliver a single “tick-the-box” answer. There's also an example of a board adopting optional, request-based payments to support diversity, and I invite you to tell me if you try the wizard and what your board decides.

Links and Resources

Board Payment Wizard

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I am speaking with Darya Boukata about the presence of nature in the boardroom. This discussion builds on some episodes I recorded in late 2025 with the fantastic Dominique Hes, so if you're interested in hearing more, I encourage you to check those out.

Darya is a PhD researcher at the University of Sydney Business School, where she investigates how the loss of nature is influencing corporate governance. Her research intersects business strategy, sustainability, and governance, with a focus on how company directors are addressing nature-related risks and opportunities. She is also the co-author of the recent report, *Nature Enters the Boardroom*, developed in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Company Directors. This report provides one of the first empirical insights into how boards engage with nature.

Before her academic career, Darya worked in strategy consulting as an analyst at McKinsey & Company and as a consultant at Social Ventures Australia. She advised organsations across the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. Additionally, she founded her own rescue ranch, where she rehabilitates horses and connects with neurodiverse kids seeking a greater connection to nature. Currently, Darya continues her PhD research, blending rigorous academic analysis with real-world insights from the boardroom. This makes her an invaluable voice on how businesses can transition from awareness to action regarding nature.

Links and Resources

Darya Boukata on LinkedIn

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Take on Board podcast, I'm a guest on Sue West's podcast Flourish After Fifty. I joined Sue on her show for a wide-ranging conversation.

Our conversation demystifies what board work is really like for women in the second half of their careers. If you’ve ever imagined a board role as the “natural next step”, a meaningful way to contribute, shape strategy, and maybe create more flexible work, this episode will help you decide whether it’s genuinely a fit for you.

I shared how my governance journey began and eventually led to multiple board roles and a career devoted to supporting women in governance. Thanks for having me Sue!

Links and Resources

Flourish After Fifty

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on the Take on Board podcast, I am talking to Sarah Gray. Sarah is one of Australia’s only dual-qualified health professionals in pharmacy and nutrition, a certified menopause practitioner, and the author of "If It's Not You, It's Perimenopause."

She sits on the boards of Moyne Health Services and the Advisory Board for Healthy Life, and is passionate about helping women thrive through perimenopause and menopause, especially in the boardroom.

n this conversation with Helga, Sarah shares practical advice and insight into supporting yourself and others through this important life stage—both individually and as part of a board or workplace community.

Sarah will be a guest at the August 27th Take on Board Online Event. Please sign up here.

Links ad Resources

Sarah Gray's Website - The Nutrition Pharmacist

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Fiona Bennett about clear and planned communication for board chairs. 

Fiona is the chair of Australian Mutual Bank, and she's also on the board of Neami. She's a certified practicing accountant with extensive experience in financial management, governance, audit, and risk management across listed companies, New South Wales government, and banking.

Fiona lives in Central West New South Wales and is passionate about equity of access to healthcare. 

Links ad Resources

Mastering boardroom communication: five essentials for executives

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m recording from the beautiful Larapinta Trail in Central Australia, where I’ve just wrapped up a 14-day end-to-end trek. Disconnected from the outside world, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on governance, drawing parallels between the wilderness and the boardroom.

I share lessons on adopting a "starry night" perspective for strategy, the critical need for robust risk assessment and scenario planning—highlighted by our team's experience navigating a medical emergency—and why governance, just like hiking, is truly a team sport.

I also touch on the importance of celebrating small wins and take a moment to acknowledge the Arrernte people, on whose stunning land this journey took place

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Davina Stanley about how boards can maximize the effectiveness of their board papers.

Davina previously served on the University of Technology Sydney Executive MBA Advisory Board, and she enjoys the "aha!" moment when a client discovers a breakthrough idea hidden amid the noise. She humorously notes that she is likely the only kindergarten teacher ever hired by McKinsey.

She is also among the very few individuals Barbara Minto has approved to teach the Pyramid Principle (if you know, you know). Combining her backgrounds in teaching, corporate communication, and consulting with her life experiences enables her clients to make better and faster decisions.

Links and Resources

Davina Stanley on LinkedIn

Clarity First

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Jaala Pulford about setting up a new statutory authority, scale an organization or scope, and having to manage staffing changes quickly. 

Jaala chairs MTPConnect and the Children's Cancer Foundation. She's a non-executive director with several growth stage companies and the Tech Council of Australia. A member of parliament from 2006 to 2022, Jaala was Victoria's first female agricultural minister. Between 2014 and 2022, she held ministerial portfolios including roads, employment, innovation, and fishing.

Jaala lives in Ballarat. She loves scuba diving. She totally loves scuba diving. There's photos of it everywhere. Uh, she loves travel and having the time to read. 

Links and Resources

Jalaa on LinkedIn

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, on the Take on Board podcast, I would like to talk to you about reclaiming your white space and why total downtime might actually be a fiduciary duty. 

Let me give you a bit of the context. So I'm about to embark on a two-week holiday and will be off the grid. I'm doing the Larapinta Trail hike in Central Australia. It's about 250 kilometers over 14 days. There's no internet, there's no computer. Because I'm going with a group, there are actually no decisions for me to make. Someone's gonna tell me what time to get up, they're gonna tell me what direction to walk in, uh, there'll probably be somebody at the front where I can just follow.  

As someone who feels like they are always "on," I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities of taking a break like this. I'll report back about what I learned during this unplugging when I am back. Until then, enjoy and try to carve out some white space for yourself.

Upcoming TOB Events

All events

You might want to:

Join the Take on Board Facebook community

Join the Take on Board LinkedIn community

Follow along on Twitter

Work with me

Join the Take on Board: Kickstarter group program

Join the Take on Board: Accelerator group program

Find out more about me

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.