Take on Board

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.

Take on Board is a business podcast hosted by Helga Svendsen, with 379 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Helga Svendsen hosts Take on Board, a business show with 379 episodes published.

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  Episode #376

  Resilience & Alignment: Getting Your Next Board Role

  Sep 29, 202610 min

  Today on the Take on Board podcast, I’m coming from Banff, Alberta. I'm building on conversations from the Vancouver meetup with Nancy Maloney and Shona McGlashan about joining boards and building a portfolio. I explain why resilience is key—since you’ll apply for more roles than you’ll get—and how perseverance and feedback help you persist. I revisit Nancy’s early board interview story, reflect on my recent rejections, and share recruiter advice from Monique Fulmer (PeopleFusion): apply only if your skills match, lead with board experience on your resume, and separate board and executive experience. I also highlight committee roles as a pathway into boards and conclude with themes of resilience and alignment. Upcoming TOB Events All events You might want to: Watch on YouTube 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.

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  Episode #375

  Get ready! Helga answers 54 Board Observership Questions

  Sep 22, 202643 min

  This week on the Take on Board podcast, it's another Ask Me Anything. A few weeks ago, you heard me in conversation with Cathy Robinson from the Board Observership Program and Reena Rihan, an alum of the program, which led to a Q&A session with the Board Observership participants. They had so many awesome questions that we didn't get through them all in the 90-minute session. So today, Cathy is joining me again to ask me those questions. It might also be a good prompt to say I've just started a YouTube series called Ask Me Anything , where I give short, snappy responses to your governance questions. So if I don't answer your governance question today, or if you've got something not covered today or in the previous episode, send it in. Whatever your favorite way of getting in touch is, please reach out, ask me the question, and at some stage I will cover it in that YouTube short series.  Links and Resources The Observership Program Episode 369: The Observership Program and your board future Ask Me Anything - Send your questions Upcoming TOB Events All events You might want to: Watch on YouTube 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.

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  Episode #374

  Navigating Neuro-Inclusion with Sara Harrup

  Sep 15, 202636 min

  Today on the Take on Board podcast, I have an insightful conversation with Sara Harrup, a governance professional, entrepreneur, and board chair with a portfolio of board roles, including deputy chair of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. We explore her journey and expertise in neuro-inclusive governance, where she focuses on designing environments that accommodate different neurocognitive styles. Sara, an autistic woman with ADHD, brings professional and personal depth to challenging traditional board dynamics. Sara shares her experiences and discusses her recent decision to evolve her neuro-inclusion frameworks, reflecting on the insights that prompted this transformation. Links and Resources Sara on LinkedIn Unique Mind co. Diversity Council of Australia Episode 288: Sara Harrup explains what boards need to know about CEOs and executives who are neurodivergent Episode 294: Sara Harrup answers the thorny questions about neurodiversity in this community Q and A 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.

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  Episode #373

  Navigating Diversity: Gabrielle Trenbath's Journey in Board Governance

  Sep 8, 202626 min

  Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Gabrielle Trenbath about her journey to the boardroom, and we'll probably touch on disability inclusion in the boardroom.  Gabrielle is on the boards of National Disability Services Board and Hartley Life Care. She's previously been on the boards of Avivo, Disability Service Commission, The Pat Giles Centre for Non Violence, and Music for Canberra. Gabrielle is a non-executive director with seven years governance experience across community and human services. A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a chartered secretary, she works in the Australian Public Service in diversity, equity and inclusion, bringing lived experience of disability and a strong focus on strategy and impact.   Links and Resources Gabrielle Trenbath 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.

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  Episode #372

  Take on Board Event: Empowering Boards Through Menopause

  Sep 1, 202641 min

  Today on the Take on Board podcast, it's the Take On Board community Q&A event with Sarah Gray on managing perimenopause and menopause in the boardroom. This is the event that followed Helga and Sarah's mid-July conversation about managing perimenopause and menopause in the boardroom. So today, the women of the Take on Board community gathered to ask questions about whether boards should have a menopause policy, how to handle resistance from people who think women should just “get on with the job,” and practical ways chairs and directors can create supportive conditions. Sarah recommends starting with education and awareness before policy, putting menopause on the governance agenda, and creating practical supports like comfortable meeting environments, earlier board papers, buddying up, confidential routes to seek help, and permission for short comfort breaks. She also discusses confidence and self-perception, encourages seeking feedback, and offers nutrition tips for meetings—hydration and brain-supporting snacks such as nuts and seeds (including walnuts) instead of lollies. 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.

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