Delegate Comments

"Bravo for a really excellent conference. You had a great balance of topics, styles of sessions and speakers. And the collective energy and interest of the attendees was quite palpable. Every single person I met was fascinating and enthusiastic. I can’t think of too many other events where I’ve come away with so many ideas, contacts and plans. The only problem is I haven’t been able to sleep as the ideas keep swirling around!"
Rebecca Davies, Partner Freehills

"I found my day on Thursday full of affirmation and a joyous reinforcement of the strength and power of women – the intellects, the vibrancy and the plain old fashioned friendliness of all the women I connected with – both participants and presenters – made it a very special experience. I found myself connecting internally with so many of the challenges to which we are exposed as successful high achieving women – and the sense of camaraderie I felt among peers was liberating. In my career I have been in one prominent leadership role in just one industry for so many years and real peers have not often been part of my world. Yesterday put me in a place where I felt I belonged and where I felt so comfortable being me – without the need to maintain vigilance that I might in my behaviour or communication overstep the mark, or let too much of the ‘light’ out from under the ‘bushel’ – so to speak."
Jo Comans, Executive Director of the Central Coast Community Council

"I would like to add my congratulations to you and Claire. I thought the conference was absolutely fantastic and I am so pleased that I made the effort to attend."
Dr Susan Gould Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Services),The University of Newcastle

"Congratulations on running such a successful WOB conference last week. I found the conference enjoyable and a great way to network. I also found that most of the sessions were highly relevant and helpful."
Jill Connell

"I wanted to thank you again for including Sean and I in the Women on Boards conference in Sydney. We benefited from it enormously, and also really enjoyed ourselves! You did a wonderful job in putting together a stimulating and interesting program that met the needs of diverse participants. We're eager to work with Women on Boards more, so please let us know when you're ready to discuss some possible activities in New Zealand."
Pamela Cohen, Director Nominations, Ministry of Women's Affairs NZ

"Thank you again for the opportunity to attend the conference.  It was a brilliant event, so well organised and such an array of speakers!  I learned a huge amount and took away many valuable contacts."
Wendy Berkley

"Just writing to say congratulations and thank you for the WOB's - 1st National Diversity on Boards Conference. It was a historic event which I found very interesting and stimulating. The conference was a great opportunity for Directors Online to attend and the response we received was very encouraging."
Sam McNiven, Directors Online, Graduateschool.com Pty Ltd

"By the way, I just have to say again how much I enjoyed and benefited from the conference. I hope you have another soon, because I have been telling friends about it and sending the link to your site.

I saw a notice on my local community centre noticeboard asking for volunteers for the management committee. I not only feel passionate about our art facilities but this also gives the opportunity to meet local councillors who sit on the committee and have some exposure to more strategic matters like the cultural policy for Lane Cove and meeting the needs of a wider cross section of our community. We will be overseeing a redevelopment of the building so it will be very interesting.

I also saw a tiny advertisement in the SMH for a lay person for the South Sydney Health Area (RPAH) medical ethics review committee. I have submitted a letter and resume and am waiting to hear more. It is a more formal position which they providing education for. I’ll keep you posted.

I am starting the AICD Directors course in August and hope to them complete my Exec MBA in 2009. I am trying to divest some of my business responsibilities this year so I am not working in the business every day.

The conference gave me renewed focus for right now and encouraged me to sow the seeds for the next phase of my career. Hopefully I’ll be one of a surge of women changing those statistics. Keep up the good work."
Davina Best

 From the Feedback Forms 

  • Enjoyed all the sessions. Standouts were the mornings of Day 1 and Day 2, Catherine Fox interview and NFP boards on afternoon of Day 2.
  • Balance of theory and hearing the real stories of people who have done it.
  • All sessions were excellent and useful. Speakers – all of them – were good too. It has been a joy to attend.
  • The conference has been stimulating and motivating. It has helped me to clarify what I need to do to promote women on boards in New Zealand.
  • Not just a rehash of rhetoric – practical and real strategies.
  • Loved the massage and energizers.
  • Great selection of quality speakers.
  • David Gonski was brilliant.
  • Highlights were SME & Startups, positioning your career for board success, contacts, David Gonski, Sarah Cornally, Leon from Woolworths and Director Interviews.