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Take on Board

Helga Svendsen
Governance
Board Governance
Artificial Intelligence
Advisory Boards
Corporate Governance
Leadership
Sustainability
Diversity
Take On Board Accelerator Program
Aged Care
Professional Development
Neurodiversity
Australia
Board Dynamics
Community Engagement
Diversity In Governance
Gender Equality
Australian Governance Summit
Strategic Decision Making
Risk Management

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.

helgasvendsen.com.au/take-on-board-podcast/

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Artwork for Take on Board

Latest Episodes

Today, on the Take on Board podcast, I am talking to Sarah Gray. Sarah is one of Australia’s only dual-qualified health professionals in pharmacy and nutrition, a certified menopause practitioner, and the author of "If It's Not You, It's Perimenopaus... more

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Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Fiona Bennett about clear and planned communication for board chairs. 

Fiona is the chair of Australian Mutual Bank, and she's also on the board of Neami. She's a certified practicing accountant ... more

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In this episode, I’m recording from the beautiful Larapinta Trail in Central Australia, where I’ve just wrapped up a 14-day end-to-end trek. Disconnected from the outside world, I’ve had plenty of time to reflect on governance, drawing parallels betw... more

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Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Davina Stanley about how boards can maximize the effectiveness of their board papers.

Davina previously served on the University of Technology Sydney Executive MBA Advisory Board, and she enjoys ... more

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Recent Guests

Davina Stanley
Governance expert and board papers advocate
School of Life; former University of Technology Sydney Executive MBA Advisory Board
Episode: Davina Stanley knows how to maximise board papers and can help you
Malini Raj
Executive Director of Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance; board member for The Parenthood, Entertainment for Change, Settlement Council of Australia, and formerly on Australian Pituitary Foundation and FinSIA
Australian Multicultural Women's Alliance; The Parenthood; Entertainment for Change; Settlement Council of Australia; Australian Pituitary Foundation; FinSIA
Episode: Malini Raj helps boards stay connected to the people they serve
Sarah Federman
Author and Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution, Croc School of Peace Studies, USD
Expeditionary; University of San Diego
Episode: Sarah Federman asks: Is it time for a 'Corporate Reckoning'?
Karen Tisdell
LinkedIn strategist helping board directors build trust and visibility
Independent / LinkedIn profile writing and coaching
Episode: Karen Tisdell wants to help you maximise your LinkedIn profile
Julie Lyford
Chair of WELA (Women's Environmental Leadership Australia); board member at Green Institute and Gloucester Transitions Incorporated
WELA, Green Institute, Gloucester Transitions Incorporated
Episode: Julie Lyford explains the benefits of the chair being the board's unifying force
Philip Chronican
Chair of the National Australia Bank (referenced in recap)
NAB
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents
Melinda Clark
Director on the Board of Playgroup NSW, reporting on Boardroom Hypothetical
Playgroup New South Wales
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents
Jane Davel
Chair of St Andrews Village (Aged Care NZ) and trustee
St Andrews Village; New Zealand Rowing Foundation
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents
Karen Raitt
Sports governance practitioner and board member
Rowing New Zealand; integrated school sector governance
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents

Host

Helga Svendsen
Host of governance-focused conversations and founder/lead of the show.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 96 ratings
  • Exceptional Podcast for Directors & Leaders

    Helga is an experienced and insightful trusted guide. Her conversations are richly informed, practically applied and purposeful. Essential listening for directors and leaders.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kel O’C
    Australiaa year ago
  • Gender pay gap

    Very informative session with Emma Rae. Thank you 🙏🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sharonpask
    Australia2 years ago
  • Five Stars for Take On Board!

    Loved the recent Governance summit summary podcasts - super useful

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    katieunicornstewart
    Australia2 years ago
  • Governance for chicks!

    I’m so enjoying Helga Svendsen’s podcasts ‘Take on Board’. She tackles governance and directorship issues by shining a light on diverse stories, perspectives and insights. As a passionate advocate for women’s leadership at board level, I heartily recommend this for both new and experienced directors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rifffy
    Australia4 years ago
  • Margot A

    A fabulous podcast that is both insightful and generous with its practical tips and references. An enjoyable and motivating listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Margot Andersen
    Australia4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are consistently insightful and practical for directors.
Host brings warmth and clarity, making complex governance topics accessible.
Content is high-value for current and aspiring directors alike.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Karen Tisdell wants to help you maximise your LinkedIn profile
Q: Where should we start this conversation?
Karen suggests starting from the changes since the last interview, especially around AI-driven clustering of keywords and how profiles should reflect what you bring to boards, not just your past titles.
Suzie Thoraval merges ambition with risk in her board career
Q: What should organizations do to improve communication of their risk appetite?
Risk appetite should be clearly articulated in accessible formats, using visual aids and reminders embedded in daily operational contexts.
Suzie Thoraval merges ambition with risk in her board career
Q: How frequently should the risk appetite be reviewed?
The risk appetite should be reviewed regularly, ideally annually, but more frequently if business conditions change significantly.
Suzie Thoraval merges ambition with risk in her board career
Q: How should the connection between risk and strategy be managed in organizations?
The connection should be clear, with independent committee members involved in planning to ensure risk and strategy align for effective governance.
Suzie Thoraval merges ambition with risk in her board career
Q: What was young Suzie like and when did she first consider her role in strategic decision making?
Young Suzie was focused, ambitious, and wanted to be a lawyer from a young age, encouraged by her feminist mother, which shaped her leadership aspirations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Take on Board

What is Take on Board about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The series centers on governance, boards, and leadership, featuring conversations with women and other governance practitioners who share practical, battle-tested insights for getting on and thriving in boards. Episodes cover topics like LinkedIn strategies for directors, time-sensitive fiduciary decisions, psychological safety, crisis governance, chairing dynamics, AI governance, and board induction. Guests range from senior directors and chairs to subject-matter experts, delivering actionable frameworks, real-world case studies, and tools to improve board performance, culture, and accountability. The format tends to mix tactical how-tos with broader governance philosophy, making it helpful for current directors, aspiring board members, an... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Take on Board?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Take on Board:

1. The Imperfects
2. This Working Life
3. Ladies, We Need To Talk
4. The Money Puzzle
5. Conversations

How many episodes of Take on Board are there?

Take on Board launched 7 years ago and published 369 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Take on Board?

Recent guests on Take on Board include:

1. Davina Stanley
2. Malini Raj
3. Sarah Federman
4. Karen Tisdell
5. Julie Lyford
6. Philip Chronican
7. Melinda Clark
8. Jane Davel

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