

Take on Board
Helga Svendsen
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/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2025 • 22min
Professional development mini series: Kim Sullivan's fresh perspective on the AICD Company Directors' course
Today, on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kim Sullivan about the AICD Company Directors' course. Kim serves on the board of the Kensington Neighbourhood House and is also the Chief Operating Officer of ORIMA Research, leading the people and culture, IT administration, and other enabling functions of the business.She's also a social researcher, having worked for over 20 years, conducting research for state and federal government clients. Kim is qualified in law, social science, and psychology, and lives with her family in the inner west of Melbourne. Links and ResourcesKim Sullivan on LinkedInAICD Company Directors CourseUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 30, 2025 • 37min
Professional development mini series: Ngaire Anderson experienced the AICD Boardroom Mastery program
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Ngaire Anderson about the Australian Institute of Company Directors ' Boardroom Mastery program. Ngaire serves on the board of IPC Health, where she holds the positions of Deputy Chair and Chair of the Clinical Governance and Clinical Risk Committee. She has formally been on the boards of Heathcote Health, Bendigo Community Health, and Remembrance Park Central Victoria.Following 16 years as a paramedic, Ngaire has held non-executive, executive, and leadership roles, primarily in the health and community sectors. She is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course. As we will hear more about today, having recently completed the AICD's Boardroom Mastery program, Ngaire has served in various non-executive director roles across government and not-for-profit sectors.Links and ResourcesAICD Boardroom MasteryUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 23, 2025 • 21min
Professional development mini series: Jane Davel has options for New Zealand board members
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Jane Davel about director development options in New Zealand. Jane is on the board of St. Andrews Village Trust and Rowing New Zealand, and she's also a trustee of the New Zealand Rowing Foundation. She's formerly been on the boards of government and for-purpose organizations of varying sizes and sectors, including the social service sector, property and construction investment, and arts and heritage.Jane has been serving on boards for almost a decade and enjoys the challenges and the variety of the boardroom, which includes different organizations, people, and sectors. The variety of board work keeps her interested and engaged. Before entering governance, Jane held senior executive roles across various service industries, including banking and finance, health, entertainment, and telecommunications.She's a member of the Institute of Directors in New Zealand, the Australian Institute of Company, directors and Women on Boards Australia. Links and ResourcesEpisode 128: Jane Davel offers some ideas if board members are causing troubleUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 16, 2025 • 26min
Professional development mini series: Jennifer Duncan on the virtues of the Governance for Social Impact program
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Jennifer Duncan, and we'll be talking about the Governance for Social Impact program. This is part of a miniseries that I'm doing about director development.Jennifer is on the boards of Focus One Health Foundation South Australia, and she's also a member of the South Australia Northern Territory Council for the Governance Institute of Australia.She has a long list of former boards: South Australian Council of Social Service, the Australian Youth Affairs Council, Justice Reinvestment, the Youth Affairs Council of South Australia, the South Australian Health and Community Service Skills Board, and the Australian Red Cross, South Australian Division.Jennifer owns and runs a business called Uncommon Good. Uh. This business provides consultancy and ongoing support to philanthropic foundations and not-for-profit organizations, predominantly in South Australia. And she focuses on strategy, design, and implementation. Her work is informed by almost 20 years in leadership roles within the for-purpose sector and her passionate commitment to leaving this world a better place than she found it.Links and ResourcesJennifer Duncan on LinkedInUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 9, 2025 • 24min
Professional development mini series: Professional Development in Governance with Kiki Paul
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kiki Paul about the Institute of Community Directors Australia and their professional development course, Diploma of Governance. This is part of the professional development for board directors mini series. Kiki is on the boards of Go Gentle Australia and is the chair of the Australian Online Giving Foundation. Formally been on the boards of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter, PANDSI and a founding member of Cancer Chicks. Kiki is an experienced CEO and non-executive director from 2016 to 2022.She was the CEO of Go Gentle Australia, a national charity instrumental in the passage of voluntary assisted dying laws in all six states of Australia. She has held various board roles for not-for-profit organisations. She is currently the CEO of the Community Transport Organisation, a peak body for community transport providers in New South Wales.Links and ResourcesKiki Paul on LinkedInEpisode 259: Kiki Paul details how to move from CEO to non-executive directorUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 2, 2025 • 31min
Respect at Work law - compliance and accurate reporting tips with Natasha de Silva
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Natasha de Silva about the Respect@Work report, her work on Respect@Work, and the seven standards that need to be complied with. Natasha is on the boards of Plan International Australia, Impact Pathways, James C Financial Services and Eyeplant. She has formerly been on the boards of Full Stop Australia, and Monte Sant' Angelo Mercy College. She is also a member of the Nominations Committee of Basketball Australia, which is where we first crossed paths.Natasha is the founder of Intersection and is recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in human rights and equality. She's a sought-after advisor on workplace culture, working with leaders across the public and private sectors to create safe, respectful, and inclusive workplaces. The Respect@Work report is the National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in Australian Workplaces, led by Kate Jenkins AO, the former Sex Discrimination Commissioner. In January of this year, she was appointed a sessional commissioner at the Victorian Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission for a five-year term.Links and ResourcesGoverning for positive duty obligationsGoverning for psychosocial hazards and risksGoverning for workplace gender equalityAnd the in-person Respect@Work Masterclass for Boards hosted by Kate Jenkins and Natasha de Silva Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 26, 2025 • 57min
AI Mini Series: Candice DeVille answers some of the best questions ever - her words
Today on the Take on Board podcast, Candice DeVille is back to answer all your questions about AI readiness for boards. She shares insights on translating board directives into actionable strategies, understanding the intent behind AI initiatives, and clarifying business problems AI aims to solve. Candice also outlines four key questions to ask when considering AI projects, including intent, specific business problems, measurable success, and delivery timelines. She emphasizes aligning AI initiatives with strategic objectives and introduces a feasibility matrix for prioritizing projects based on impact and achievability.The discussion also covers critical risk factors in AI implementation, such as data, operational, model, regulatory, and reputational risks, and introduces an AI industry risk pyramid. Candice answers listener questions on recommended AI governance courses, the climate impact of AI, funding opportunities for non-profits in AI, addressing "shadow AI" use in organizations, and convincing management to adopt AI. She stresses the importance of foundational AI understanding, practical experience for management, and clear communication from boards.Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 19, 2025 • 29min
AI Mini Series: Kate Larsen says it's time to talk about the ethics of AI
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Kate Larsen about the ethics of AI.Kate, although eager ears will know that Kate has already been on the podcast. Kate is an arts, cultural and nonprofit consultant and writer with more than 25 years of experience in Australia, Asia, and the UK. Recently returned to Naarm/Melbourne. Kate has particular expertise in arts, governance, and cultural leadership, workplace culture and wellbeing, and digital and community-engaged practice.Kate's been on the podcast before, episode 254, on why Palestine is a governance issue that every board should be talking about. And she's currently leading a national conversation about governance reform based on the provocation that 'nearly everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong'. This was the title of her TEDx talk on the subject last year, so we'll put a link to that in the show notes as well. Links and ResourcesKate Larsen on LinkedInKate's latest article on this subject on ArtsHubAnd another thing vlog: AI and governance And another thing vlog: Meta's grand theft AusLit Why (nearly) everything you thought you knew about boards and governance is wrong*, TedX Castlemaine Episode 254: Kate Larsen on what boards need to think about before making a statement on the war in Gaza Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 12, 2025 • 27min
AI Mini Series: Welcoming AI into your board meetings with Alice Tang
Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Alice Tang about the use of AI in board meetings and by boards. We also touch on digital and AI strategy and governance.Alice is on the board of Amplify AI Group and was previously trustee for a listed fund manager managing $10 billion in assets. She's also been treasurer and board member for a disability arts board. Her executive roles include six years as Chief Operating Officer of a Listed Alternatives, assets manager, and 16 years at Macquarie Group.A fellow of the Chartered Accountants, ANZ. She's on the Committee of 100 Women in Finance in Australia, the UNSW Alumni Advisory Committee, and is Secretary for Women in Super New South Wales. Links and ResourcesAlice Tang on LinkedInMy business partner did a TedX talk on AI and humanity in Sydney last year and it gives you a human perspective. "What if AI is the key to better relationships?"Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 5, 2025 • 29min
AI Mini Series: Dottie Schindlinger is sharing some AI research for boards
Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Dottie Schindlinger about AI and some recent research done by the Diligent Institute. Dottie serves on the boards of the Delaware County Foundation and the Pennsylvania School Safety Institute, also known as Penn SSI. Dottie is the Executive Director of The Diligent Institute, the think tank and global governance research arm of Diligent Corporation, a leading provider of secure corporate board communication and collaboration software used by over 700,000 directors and executives globally. In her role, Dottie provides thought leadership on governance, cybersecurity, and technology topics through presentations to boards and executives dozens of times each year at events worldwide. Her work has been featured in Fortune, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and multiple governance and technology publications. She is the co-author of the book "Governance in the Digital Age: A Guide for the Modern Corporate Board Director" (2019, John Wiley & Sons) and co-hosts the fortnightly show, The Corporate Director Podcast.Links and ResourcesDottie Schindlinger on LInkedInDiligentUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.