Boardroom Conversations

Sally-Ann Williams GAICD is the CEO of tech incubator Cicada Innovations and the Chair of the Federal Government's “Diversity in STEM” Review. She's also a director at Qudos Bank and a member of the CSIRO Data61 Advisory Board. We discuss: directors' role in boosting diversity in STEM fields, the importance of shared values in the boardroom, and governance at start-ups. Plus: how Cicada helps technology companies to grow.   Read more about the “Diversity in STEM” Review 

Arlene Tansey FAICD and Heith Mackay-Cruise FAICD are company directors and board members at the AICD. We discuss their first board roles, the shift from an executive career to being a director, and the importance of mentoring. Plus: how should you decide which boards to join? This special episode of Boardroom Conversations was recorded live at the AICD Staff Summit. 

Shelley Reys AO MAICD is the CEO of Arrilla Indigenous Consulting, plus a Board Member and Partner and KPMG Australia. She's also a board member with the organising committee of the Brisbane Olympics and the Chair of the Council for the Order of Australia. We talk about: the referendum on the Voice to Parliament, how boards can approach reconciliation, and planning for the Brisbane Olympics. 

Jenn Morris MAICD is a director with Argonaut, Liontown Resources and Sandfire. She also won gold medals for Australia in hockey at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. We discuss: lessons from Jenn's career in sports, advice on picking your company's next CEO, and boards' developing approach to climate change. Plus, what's the right composition for a sports organisation's board?

Bruce Cowley FAICD is the Chair of the Queensland Trust for Nature and a board member with the Australian Retirement Trust. He's also one of the speakers for this year's AICD Essential Director Update (EDU). We talk about advice before taking your first board role, potential improvements to Australia's Corporations Act, and the importance of stakeholder engagement. Plus, we discuss some of the topics Bruce will address at the 2023 EDU, including: greenwashing, resilience, and directors' “best interests” duty.

Jacqueline Chow GAICD is a director with Boral, Charter Hall, Coles, and nib. She's also one of the speakers for this year's AICD Essential Director Update (EDU). We discuss: planning for CEO succession, the importance of chemistry in the boardroom, and tips on shifting from an executive career to becoming a board director. Plus, we speak about some of the topics Jacqueline will address at the 2023 EDU, including: AI, cyber security, and data protection. Read more on Cyber Security Governance Principles from the AICD and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre    Register for the AICD's member-only event, the Essential Director Update   

Professor Alan Duffy GAICD is an astronomer and scientist. He's also the Pro Vice-Chancellor of Flagship Initiatives at Swinburne University, plus the co-founder and CEO of mDetect, a muon technology company. We talk about: the governance of space, how STEM professionals can contribute to the boardroom, and the dangers of using jargon in communication. Plus, what's a “muon” and why is Alan's company trying to detect them? 

Judy Slatyer MAICD is the Chair of the NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, plus Natural Carbon. She's also a leader of the National AI Centre's Responsible AI think tank, a Director with WWF Australia and a former CEO at the Australian Red Cross. We discuss: why artificial intelligence is an important issue for boards, advice for directors on avoiding greenwashing, and changing attitudes towards ESG issues.  Click here to read about the Australian Government's Artificial Intelligence Ethics Principles  https://www.industry.gov.au/publications/australias-artificial-intelligence-ethics-framework/australias-ai-ethics-principles   

John M. Green is a director at Challenger and board member with the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre. He's also a former Deputy Chair at insurance giant QBE. John talks about: the risks around the increasing use of artificial intelligence, questions for directors to ask on cyber security, and lessons for boards from the pandemic. Plus, we discuss John's career as a novelist and his role as chair of a social purpose book publisher. Click here to read the Cyber Security Governance Principles from the AICD and the Cyber Security Cooperative Research Centre https://www.aicd.com.au/risk-management/framework/cyber-security/cyber-security-governance-principles.html   Click here to read the Essential Eight from the Australian Cyber Security Centre https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cyber-security/essential-eight   Click here to find out more about John's novels https://www.panterapress.com.au/book_author/john-m-green/ 

Graeme Innes AM GAICD is the Chancellor of Central Queensland University and a board member with the National Disability Insurance Agency. He's also a former Disability Discrimination Commissioner and former Human Rights Commissioner. Graeme talks about: why NFP organisations should pay their directors, the chair's role in a successful merger, and the dangers of staying on a board for too long. Plus, how can boards be more inclusive towards Australians with disabilities? 

Marina Go MAICD is the Chair of Adore Beauty, and a director with Energy Australia, 7-Eleven and Transurban. She tells us how her media career prepared her for the boardroom. Plus: advice on being an effective chair, tips for finding your first director position, and lessons from the boardroom of an NRL club.  

Andrew Fraser is the former Deputy Premier of Queensland and the chair of super fund Australian Retirement Trust. He's also the chair of NFP Orange Sky, the President of Motorsport Australia, and a director with the Brisbane Broncos. We talk about his path from politics to the boardroom, mergers in the superannuation sector, and the importance of succession planning.

Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM FAICD is an author, columnist, and company director. She's the former Acting Chair and Deputy Chair of the ABC, and currently on the boards of PEXA and Envato. We talk about leadership lessons from Kirstin's military career, her first director positions and the importance of feedback in the boardroom. Plus, we discuss Kirstin's new award-winning and best-selling book “Head and Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership.” What qualities do modern leaders need? Which attributes should boards look for when they're picking their next CEO? And what can directors learn from world leaders like Jacinda Ardern and Volodymyr Zelensky?

Practical advice and fascinating insights from the boardroom! Listen to this exciting new podcast from the AICD.