This week on Take on Board, I discuss a topic that is sometimes overlooked: the crucial role of governance calendars for boards. Think of it as the board's essential work plan, a simple table or spreadsheet that lays out exactly when the board will tackle key topics (strategy, budget, compliance, CEO check-ins, etc.) over the next year or more.

Links and Resources

AICD Board Calendars

Effective Governance Calendar Template

Savvy Director Prep

Annual Board & Compliance Calendar template

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Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Suzie Thoraval about governance of risk and audit. 

Suzie is the independent chair of the finance, audit and risk Committee at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, and she's a member of the finance, risk and audit committees at the Judicial College of Victoria and the cities of Greater Dandenong, Knox and Whittlesea.

She's previously been on the advisory board for the College of Law's Centre for Legal Innovation and the Chair of Dear Dyslexic Foundation, and on the School Council of Camberwell Primary School. Suzie is a seasoned legal governance and strategic leadership professional with deep expertise in audit risk and corporate governance.

She brings 25 years of experience, including 13 years in senior leadership in government. She brings a Master of Laws and a strategic, inquisitive mindset to every conversation.

Links and Resources

Suzie Thoraval on LinkedIn

Suzie's past newsletters are on her website along with YouTube videos: www.suziethoraval.com and https://www.youtube.com/@SuzieThoraval

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This week on the Take On Board podcast, I’ll be discussing risk and risk appetite statements. This topic has been on my mind because I recently facilitated a workshop with a board focused on their risk appetite.

I’d like to walk you through the process I often use with groups and share some resources that I find helpful. Risk appetite is undoubtedly an important aspect that boards should consider and address. should be paying attention to. 

Links and Resources

Setting your risk appetite: supplementary guidance (The Institute of Risk Management)

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Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Daralyse Lyons about non-executive roles and executive director positions. We may even hear the story of why she resigned from a role in which she excelled, and how the board influenced that decision.

Daralyse is a journalist and author with prior experience in business development and financial management. She has written more than two dozen books, several short stories, and countless articles.

She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the former Vice President of Philadelphia's chapter of NLGJA. Daralyse graduated summa cum laude from New York University, where she earned a double major in English and religious studies and a minor in history. In 2023, she received the Pennsylvania City and State Impact Award, recognizing her as one of the 75 most impactful individuals in Pennsylvania.

More recently, she became a Who's Who Honoree. Currently, she serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for Bucks County Beacon.

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Happy 2026, Take on Boarders. It is fabulous to be back on the other side. I had a little break. During that period, just a week in Adelaide, between Christmas and New Year, lots of beautiful walks along the Torrens River, catching up with a few of the take on board community and just. Having a bit of a relax, really.

As you know, one of the things I often do during the break is reflect a little more on my RSVP statement. Where I'd landed last year was that, for this year, it's about holding space for me and identifying what I'm not going to be doing. Doing a perhaps unsu to be new things.

I have found that a little bit tricky, so I'm not as clear on that as I would like. However, I have made some progress, all things considered. It was actually gonna be about Take on Board and the podcast, and I was gonna drop it back to fortnightly. However, I've decided to hold off on that for at least a little while. So what is the plan for Take on Board? Well, you'll need to tune in here for all the news.

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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 Centre for Policy Development. She was formerly on the board of the Centre 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.

• Episode 326: Francie Doolan asks do you have the skills to govern in a changing world?
• Episode 325: Kim Sullivan’s fresh perspective on the AICD Company Directors course
• Episode 324: Ngaire Anderson experienced the AICD Boardroom Mastery program
• Episode 323: Jane Davel has options for New Zealand board members
• Episode 322: Jennifer Duncan on the virtues of the Governance for Social Impact program
• Episode 321: Professional development in governance with Kiki Paul

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Today on the Take on Board podcast, I’m speaking with Candice Deville about AI and the missing AI conversation in the boardroom.

Candice was formally on the board of Charity Bay, and she’s the founder of AI Co-pilot and a leading AI strategist with 20-plus years of experience in digital transformation, enterprise marketing and emerging tech. She advises boards, government, and growth-stage companies on responsible AI adoption, blending commercial insight with a sharp human-centered lens on the future of work.

AI in the boardroom mini series playlist:

• Episode 314: AI in the boardroom mini series – Dr Henna Karna delivers the basics on AI
• Episode 315: AI in the boardroom mini series – Candice DeVille explains what boards should be asking about AI
• Episode 316: AI in the boardroom mini series – Dottie Schindlinger is sharing some AI research for boards
• Episode 317: AI in the boardroom mini series – Alice Tang
• Episode 318: AI in the boardroom mini series – Kate Larsen says it’s time to talk about the ethics of AI
• Episode 319: Candice answers questions about AI in the boardroom

Links and Resources

Candice DeVille on LinkedIn

Candice DeVille Website

The AI-Ready Playbook: Navigating AI Like A Pro by Candice DeVille

Free AI PDF

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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.

Advisory board mini series playlist:

• Episode 303: Louise Broekman outlines the history and importance of advisory boards
• Episode 304: Sandra Gamble on advisory boards in the energy and sustainability sectors
• Episode 305: Cynthia Payne on advisory boards in the health and aged care sectors
• Episode 306: Heather Disher on business sector advisory boards
• Episode 307: Louise Broekman’s rundown of the Advisory Board Centre’s upcoming State of the Market Report 2025-2027
• Episode 308: Advisory board mini series – Louise Broekman answers questions on the advisory board market
• Episode 309: Advisory board mini series – Mary Goodwin on her experiences with the Advisory Board Centre’s Certified Chair Course

Links and Resources

Louise Broekman on LinkedIn

Advisory Board Centre

ABF101 Advisory Board Best Practice Framework

2025 Megatrends Summit

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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.

Board composition and effectiveness mini series playlist:

• Episode 289: steps for recruiting a board member with me!
• Episode 290: Katie Constantinou on onboarding new directors
• Episode 291: understanding board skills matrices with Leesa Chesser
• Episode 292: Carmel Mulhern knows how to maximise a board agenda
• Episode 293: Bernadette Northeast evaluates the importance of board evaluations

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

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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

RSVP Worksheet

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