On Board

On Board is where WOB tells the stories of the women in the network we know are getting onto boards. It also profiles successful women in the network and provides an insight into their experience of gaining a board position through case studies.

WOB has achieved considerable success in placing women onto not-for-profit, sports, government and community sector boards. Close to 100 per cent of the positions advertised in The Boardroom are filled by someone within the WOB network. Thse tend to come from the sectors previously mentioned and a large percentage are paid boards.

However, private and public company boards tend not to advertise, preferring instead to approach WOB for a short list of suitable candidates. We provide this by searching key selection criteria in the CVs in our database and knowing our database of women very well, so we can put our finger on someone very quickly. These searches highlight why it is really important to keep your CV up to date on the website.

WOB is always keen to hear from women who have used the network to achieve a board position or consideration for a board position. Please contact us with your story.

On Board - 2008

Jan Mahoney

Jan became a director of Grampians Wimmera Mallee Corporation in October 2007 and recently was also appointed to the board of Parks Victoria. These were both through an application and competitive process. “I have realized that it is critical to understand which organizations you may be best suited for when beginning the director’s journey as well as being very clear about why you wish to join the organization and what you can offer specifically.” jan@jemini.com.au  

Penny LeCouteur

Penny, a long time WOBer has been appointed to Integral Energy Board in NSW.  Doubtless there will be interesting times ahead as the NSW Government struggles with the privatisation issue. pennylecouteur@optusnet.com.au

Jeanette Ward

Jeanette has been appointed to board of Eastern Health  in Victoria. j2_ward@optusnet.com.au

Fiona McNabb

Fiona has been appointed to the Board of VicForests ehich is the Victorian state owned enterprise responsible for the sustainable harvest and commercial sale of Victoria’s forest timber. fmcnabb@bigpond.net.au

Margaret Walker

Margaret has joined board of Cystic Fibrosis Queensland Ltd (CFQ). This is her first role since retiring as the director of a Queensland vaher based hedge fund that she started 15 years ago.

Susan Dann

Qld based Susan Dann has been appointed to the Quality Improvement Council Board which you advertised at The Boardroom in early 2008. susan.dann@bigpond.com

Emma Stein

Emma has joined the board of previously female free ASX listed Clough Limited.  Emma is an experienced director who has supported WOB for a number of years.

Emma says " Just to let you know that wef 1st July, I will join the board of Perth based engineering company, Clough. Clough is chaired by Mike Harding. Mike is ex-BP and currently sits on the board of Santos. Mike and I have worked together as directors of oil and gas explorer, Arc Energy.

Clough is in the business of engineering, construction and asset support contractor for major whole life cycle capital projects in mining, oil and gas, and energy. It is also involved in marine construction and fabrication. Its projects span Australia and Asia. I’m very much looking forward to working with Clough’s CEO John Smith who was appointed in August 2007, as well as the board and management, at a time of huge growth in the sector. "

Jane Toohey

Jane is a Marketing Director and Brand consultant and has been appointed to the paid board of Mini Movers; a company that moves people short distances. janetoohey@live.com.au   

Robyn Watts and Kim Murray

Both have been appointed to the Advisory Board of Australain School of Performing Arts. This is a paid board and was advertised in mid March.

Carol Lymbery

I am thrilled to advise that I am now on the National Board of Keep Australia Beautiful, which was advertised by WOB. I have also been offered and accepted the role of Treasurer on this Board. 

I have just returned from Tasmania where I participated in my first Board meeting, attended the National Tidy Town Awards and presented a National Award for Environmental Innovation. My thanks to you and your team for assisting me to achieve my initial goal – a national board position.  carollymbery@ccccnsw.org.au

Alison Gaines

Alison Gaines from WA has been appointed to the 2020 Summit. She is on the Governance Group. Alison is Global Practice Leader at Gerard Daniels.  alisong@gerard-daniels.com

Claire Brereton

Claire was invited to join the Board of Youth Enterprise Trust about 6 months ago after replying to a WOB vacancy. "I have found it a hugely enjoyable and interesting experience so far, as well as learning a great deal.'    brereton@techsus.com.au

Pauline Stanton

Pauline Stanton, Assoc Professor Graduate School of Mangement, Latrobe University has joined the board of Black Hole Theatre .    P.Stanton@latrobe.edu.au

Ro Coroneus

Ro says "After waiting for months - I recently landed a board role with Western Sydney Parklands Trust as a NED!  I was surprised and thrilled because this will provide a great career development opportunity - and importantly - it's an opportunity would not have been possible without membership of WOB - and Kerry Chater's sage guidance on developing the CV.

So - many thanks to you and WOB - it's a sterling endeavour that's gathering steam - more power to you! ro.coroneos@gmail.com

Helen Robinett

Helen was appointed a Director of Try Youth and Community Services in 2004. In December 2007 she became Chairman. Try Youth and Community Services is a multi-million dollar Melbourne based not for profit incorporating Big Brothers Big Sisters, Kids Who Care and Work for the dole programs. This year they celebrate our 125th anniversary.

Helen is the second woman in 125 years to hold this position, which is not paid position but all expenses are covered. Helen is at helen@imagequest.com.au www.imagequest.com.au  and is the author of Apprentice to Business Ace

Peta Seaton

Peta has been appointed to the Bradman Foundation (which runs the Bradman Museum and associated activities.

Denise Aldous

Denise Aldous has been appointed Chair of the International Assessment Panel for a multi-million dollar private sector fund for allocation within the private sectors of nine countries in Asia and the Pacific. This keeps her strategic understanding of business in the region fresh and consolidates her chairing skills. It is pro-bono but with all expenses paid.

Belinda Barnier

Belinda has joined the 2007/08 RSPCA (ACT) Board.

On Board - 2007

Kath McGuckin

I've taken the role of Treasurer for the Kew Neighbourhood Learning Centre, which I am enjoying. I have to say I am finding my feet at not actually 'doing' the work but being at the board level setting direction.

Alexandra Anthony

Alexandra says "Just advising that I was successful on my re-appointment to the Murray Irrigation Ltd Board following the shareholder election count- thanks for your assistance, greatly appreciated.
Moulamein NSW 2733
email: saant@bigpond.comRoman

Jeanette Brooks

Jeanette says "Great news!! I've been appointed as a board director for Learning Links - a childrens charity - supporting children who have difficulty learning and assisting their families. Having a background in Technology was a definite plus in obtaining this role. I'm looking forward to making a difference.

Linden Smibert

Linden Smibert has been appointed to General Practice Victoria Board, which until last week was called General Practice Divisions Victoria (GPDV), the State based body of the Australia wide division network. This is a paid position. Linden is a GP with experience on a range of health committees.

Susan Pelka

I thought you may be interested to know that I have recently been appointed to the Board of Chamber Made Opera Company.

Having been told about WOB by a member, and encouraged to join and apply for one of your advertised vacant Arts boards, I was interviewed by the Australian Business Arts Foundation, and then by the Chamber Made Opera Chairman and CEO. Since I am absolutely passionate about Opera I am delighted to have been appointed and really look forward to being able to contribute to the organisation. Many thanks for running such a helpful organisation, hopefully we will meet at the next networking meeting in Melbourne?

Email Sue at Sue.Pelka@anz.com

Yvelline Pillar

Yvelline received a 2006 WOB Scholarship for attendance at AIDC course “Risk: Issues for Directors”. There were a dozen participants, all with interesting and varied experience.

We covered concepts such as risk appetite, risk identification, risk mitigation, the role of corporate culture on issues of risk, the link between risk and strategy, what directors can or should do to find out about existing risk in their organisation and what is being done about it. We also looked at some useful matrices depicting risk likelihood against consequences and finished on a brief review of actual cases. I also had an opportunity to talk in more detail with the presenter after the session.

It was a very enjoyable and useful workshop. Thanks to Women on Boards for giving me this valuable opportunity.

Zalinda Bafile

WOBer Zalinda was appointed to the WA Water Corporation Board in July 2007 and recently to the WA Forest Products Commission Board. Zalinda is an experienced corporate and commercial lawyer who retired from the WA Home Building Society in late 2006.

Maureen Frank

Queensland based Maureen Frank has joined the board of the Gold Coast TAFE.

Susan Caracoussis

Adelaide based, Susan has agreed to join the board of the National Foundation for Australian Women an unlisted public company.

Judith Merryweather

Rural WOBer Judith Merryweather has joined the Board of Directors of the Peer Support Foundation.

Judith says: "The selection process was interesting. After an initial culling, the short listed candidates were interviewed by the Chairman and past Chairman of the Board and then a number of the candidates selected for the next round. Second interviews were with the Chairman, again, and the General Manager. The second interview was aimed at ensuring that the new Board member would "fit" with the small team of staff of the organisation and with the "culture" of the Board."

The Chairman commented that they were indeed impressed with the quality of candidates who had applied after it was advertised on the WOB site. In fact although they were initially looking for one new Board member, they decided to appoint 3 - all candidates from WOB! Jennifer Dalitz and Cheryl Hayman (who are both listed under On Board 2007) are the other 2 WOB members appointed.

Two interesting points have surfaced out of this selection and appointment process for me. Firstly is the recognition by the Board of the different skills set we bring to the Board table. Jennifer for her corporate governance skills set, Cheryl for her marketing expertise and myself for my IT skills. Secondly, I was interested to learn that one of the concerns for the Board was that I did not live in Sydney. I believe that this is another hurdle not only for WOB but for all potential Directors who do not reside in metropolitan areas.

So thank you to WOB for the important work being done in promoting Board opportunities and in raising the profile of women on Boards. “

Jane Cleeve

Jane has joined the board of Glennie Memorial School, Toowoomba after getting inspiration from a WOB strategy session.

Tracy Osterfield

Tracy has joined the board of Brisbane Boarders Ltd. This is a not-for-profit/charity that aims to reduce the number of homeless by providing affordable housing and where needed supportive accommodation.

Kristy Chambers

Kristy is Deputy Company Secretary at ASX. Kirsty has joined Shine for Kids (the charity that WOBer Helen Wiseman is Chair of, a contact she made through WOB) and also the Audit and Governance committee of Scouts NSW. Kristy said “Neither of these roles would have been made possible without the support and connectivity that WOB provided me. Many thanks.” Kirsty can be contacted at kristy.chambers@asx.com.au

Jennifer Dalitz

Jennifer has been successful in gaining a directorship with Peer Support Foundation which was advertised on the WOB website. When Jennifer met with WOB in 2006 she undertook to apply to some paid board positions, however it was also part of her strategy to secure a NFP in an area of interest. “Education is a passion for me and I am thrilled that I will be able to support PeerOz in the capacity of a director. The application process was thoroughly enjoyable and very professional. Chairman David Stanton has been most engaging throughout the process and I am very much looking forward to working with him and the rest of the Board. Despite initially looking for 1 new director, PeerOz has ended up appointing 3 new directors, based on the quality of the candidates that came vie WOB. This is good news and would be good PR for WOB.”

Dianne Ball

Dianne of Organisational Change Consulting has joined the Board of Cumberland Industries “I'd like to notify you of my successful appointment to the Board of Cumberland Industries Inc which I heard about from this site. This is my first Board of Directors position, and I was pleased that the process of finding my first position and being selected was so straightforward and a pleasant experience. Cumberland Industries Ltd provides work opportunities for disabled people, and provides a wonderful service to the community. When a Board position became vacant the CEO recommended to the Board that they use the services of WOB - and I'm so pleased they did. Thank you WOBers for this valuable service.

Cheryl Hayman

Cheryl, Managing Director www.haymanstrategy.com has joined the Advisory Council of the International Institute of Studies which has membership drawn from the University (of Technology Sydney) and from the broader community. This helps to ensure relevance of the Institute's programs to community interests and provides expertise for the Institute's decision-making.

The Institute for International Studies teaches about and engages in research on cultural diversity and social change in East and Southeast Asia, Europe and Latin America. The Institute also teaches the UTS Language & Culture programs and conducts research on language teaching and curriculum development, as well as managing the UTS International Exchange Students Scheme. Cheryl has also joined the Board of Australian Business Womens’ Network (ABN) as Director, Special Projects-Branding. The ABN serves women in business by raising their profile, contributing to the achievement of their goals and by providing exposure to a diverse range of business success models. Their goal is to cater to the needs of a widespread number of businesswomen by offering a comprehensive range of personal and business development and networking opportunities. The role of Branding Director oversees the development of the marketing strategy which will ultimately drive stronger brand recognition and awareness, and aid in the composition of key messages as part of the communications plan for the specific activities of the ABN going forward.

Denise Aldous

Denise who was until recently a senior developing countries finance specialist with the World Bank has made a start to her board career as a mentor on the inaugural mentoring programme for NFP CEO's that Nonprofit Australia advertised on WOB website last year. She has also picked up a layperson role with the NSW Bar Association Professional Conduct Committee. She says she is slowly making progress and hopes eventually for some paid boards.

Susanne Mautner

Susanne has recently joined the ABN (Australian Business Women's Network Board. She had this to say: "This is my first board. It was an advertisement on the WOB website that I responded to. Since I am passionate about fostering women in their professional endeavor, I am confident I can make valuable contributions.

Susanne has a medical background and has worked in the global health care and insurance sectors. She is originally from Germany

On Board - 2006

Leanne Elliot

Leanne has just been voted onto the Handy Help ACT board - which was advertised on the WOB website at The Boardroom. Leanne says “Unfortunately the first item on the agenda was that another organisation had made an "amalgamate or assimilate by 1 July 07" offer and considering the president and CEO think it is a good idea...... Oh well”

Catherine Shirley

Catherine Shirley said “Great to receive the latest email about progress made by Denise Aldous whom I met and sat next to recently at the Women on Boards Dinner. I also have some good news that I'd like to share”

As a result of a Women on Boards ad, I have accepted an invitation from Prof Ross Melbourne, Vice-Chancellor of UTS, to join the Advisory Council of the Institute for International Studies. This matches my skills and experiences perfectly and will also provide me with an extended professional network in my People Development role for ABC-TV.”
 

Denise Aldous

Denise accepted a Uniting Care Board position in November 2006 after advertisements went out in March/April. "It was a long process and they were very thorough," Denise said, "but WOB works!" Denise recently left the World Bank after 10 years assisting Pacific Nations. She is looking to leverage her financial and organizational skills to establish a board career.

Heather Nash, ANU

"I have been a Board member of UniSuper Ltd since 2001, elected to represent the general staff of all Australian universities. As I enjoyed the work from the beginning I began looking for other directorships and enrolled with Women on Boards (WOB). Early in 2006 WOB was contacted by the Uniting Church (NSW) Trust Asscn which was looking for a female appointee to fill a vacancy on the Board. As they needed someone with a finance background and who was a member of the Church, I was appointed. This would not have occurred were it not for WOB."

Robbie Collins

Head Shoalhaven Campus, University of Wollongong

"As of January this year, I have been elected Chair of a not for profit board. The organisation has a history of operating in one region for about 10 years and is in a transition process which sees its contracts with government growing in size (place and staffing) and complexity and thus the strategic response is significant.

It is in that interesting time when governance is critical and where there are huge government expectations of the operation of not for profit boards. We cover reasonable expenses of board members but have no history of payment of same."Leharna Black

"At the WOB Networking seminar held at Parliament House in Melbourne I chose to sit at table whose mentor was Leigh Snelling, the Chair of an organisation called CERES (Centre for Education and Research into Environmental Sustainability). I have had a keen interested in CERES and after meeting Leigh wanted to get to know her better. I sent her an email inviting her to coffee.

We met and discussed some of the current challenges faced by CERES, one of which was that the Board members had a limited understanding of the responsibilities of Directors. As a member of the AICD I thought that I might be able to help. I approached the Victorian Branch Manager who was delighted to deliver a workshop for them. So the CERES board members were trained on the duties of directors for NFPs.

As a result my efforts I was invited to become a member of the CERES board which I gratefully accepted, becoming the organisations' Treasurer. Through that position, I was invited to become a Director of another organisation, People and Parks Foundation. So, from attending that one WOB seminar almost 2 years ago I managed to generate two board positions and Leigh and I are now great mates. So grateful to WOB."

Gabrielle Upton

The good news is that Gabrielle was re-elected to the UNSW Council for a four year term. Thanks to WOBers for their support!

Ricki Smith

General Manager, Sales and Marketing, HBF Health Funds Inc

"I recently logged into the Boardroom section of the Women on Boards website and discovered a position for a member of the Murdoch University Veterinary Hospital. I applied for the position as I believed my experience as a Director on other boards, together with my knowledge of the health care industry (albeit people, not animals) may have held me in good stead. I was successful and have recently attended my first meeting.

Thank you to the Women on Boards team for putting together such a valuable resource, both for organisations seeking board members and for women seeking positions.

Caroline Spencer

"I have commenced on the St Andrews (aged care facility) Board in Canberra. I am really enjoying the challenges it presents. They are a passionate and skilled bunch, and I am finding the Chair is a great role model - she is articulate, accomplished, runs a tight ship and ensures difficult decisions are made in a prompt, considered and effective manner. It is also wonderful to be able to make what seems to be a valuable contribution with my financial skills, particularly at this time of year as we prepare for year-end and audit. The changes to prudential regulations will also pose interesting challenges to all care facilities and we are in the process of assessing the budgetary impact of both these and our plans for the new stage of our development (an additional 74 beds). I am loving it!

Melanie Willis

Melanie has gained her first publicly listed company board seat - WHK Group. She is also on the Board of Hydro Tasmania and was previously an investment banker with Deutsche, BT and Westpac. Congratulations Melanie.

Martina Crowley

Director, KD Johns & Co

Martina was appointed to NAPCAN board. She is a tax law specialist and chartered accountant.

Ainslie van Onselen

"My legal practice has developed well over here and I am very busy. I am also now on 4 boards and WebCentral Ltd, The Legal Practice Board (WA) and two NFP boards; Barking Gekko Theatre Company and Resource Unit for Children with Special Needs. The latter board position was achieved as a direct result of my networking at the Perth Women on Boards event so it had direct results!! Keep up the good work with WOB.

Anna Ciffolilli

A lawyer and arbitrator in Perth, Anna was recently appointed a member of the Architects Board of Western Australia. Earlier this year, Anna was also appointed a member of the Governing Council of West Coast TAFE. Anna has skills and experience in many areas including building, property, and tertiary education and sees her appointments as an opportunity to contribute to the work of these boards in a very practical and meaningful way.

On Board - 2005

Deb Hall

Deb was invited to join the Management Committee of ShelterWA after applying for the opportunity advertised on the Women on Boards website. Deb is Principal Consultant, Organisational Development and Analysis ExpertEase Consulting Pty Ltd Steering Change.

Belinda Yabsley

Belinda has what some may regard as the dream job – Marketing Manager for Mercedes NSW. She was also a NSW Telstra Businesswomen of the Year winner. As a consequence of being a Women on Board's member, Belinda has been on a couple of not-for-profit boards for some time and was recently invited to join the Australian Businesswomen's Network (ABN) and Kids Earth Fund Australia.

Helen Lang

Helen is based in Canberra and works in a senior role in the Department of Veterans Affairs. For some time she has been developing her executive coaching skills. As part of this she did some coaching work for residential aged care provider Villagio Italiano Ltd. She was subsequently invited to join the board where she is contributing her strategic planning expertise and learning a lot from the board member side of the table.

On Board - 2004

Katie Bickford and Deborah Healey

From Ron Finlay, President Australian Baseball Federation

"You may recall three years ago being kind enough to assist me in identifying new directors for the ABF. I am pleased to advise that Katie Bickford and Deborah Healey, who have just completed their three year terms as directors of the ABF, have agreed to extend their term for a further three years. The Board of the ABF is delighted to have such talented directors continue with the ABF. Both Katie and Deborah have made significant contributions to the ABF during the last three years and we are very pleased that their contributions will continue. Thank you once again for your assistance. I would be pleased if you would publicise these re-appointments as you see fit."