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Take on Board

Helga Svendsen
Governance
Board Governance
Palestine
Gaza
Arts and Culture
Organizational Psychology
Non-Profit Sector
Essendon Football Club
Leadership
Sustainability
Risk Management
Board Dynamics
Psychosocial Hazards
Australia
Pomodoro Method
Gender Pay Gap
Workplace Well-Being
Disney
Diversity
Reputation 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'm speaking with Julie Lyford about the critical role of the board chair as the unifying force within the board, along with the challenges and benefits of that philosophy.

Julie is the chair of WELA, the Women's... more

Day two of the Australian Governance Summit 2026 was filled with even more important governance insights, expanding on the themes from day one. We listened to an excellent group of speakers, starting with Kate Waterford on the vital need for boards t... more

Today, on the Take on Board podcast, we have the crowdsourced Day 1 recap from the Australian Governance Summit (March 2026, Sydney). It covers key themes raised across sessions. The summit opened with an Acknowledgement of Country linking stillness ... more

In this solo episode of Take on Board, I share my keynote from the 2026 Board Observership Program launch. I discuss how the program helps emerging leaders under 40 and builds strong board succession pipelines.

I highlight that diverse boards make ... more

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Recent Guests

Kate Waterford
Correspondent for the AICD Annual Governance Summit report
Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD)
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents
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
Helen Hu
Non-executive director, investor-focused governance insights
St John Ambulance NSW; Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW
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
Nicola Gibbs
Board member reflecting on productivity and governance
Local Leaders International
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 2 Recap with special correspondents
Claire Schonfeld
Board chair and governance professional
Yellow Bridge Queensland; Board Chair
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 1 Recap with special correspondents
Susan Brumby
Deputy Chair of Water and Chair of the Hamilton Colerain Rail Trail
Hamilton Colerain Rail Trail; local governance
Episode: AICD Australian Governance Summit 2026 Day 1 Recap with special correspondents

Hosts

Helga Svendsen
Host of Take on Board; focuses on governance, board effectiveness, and practical strategies.
Helia
Host on governance and board-related topics, with emphasis on practical governance insights.

Reviews

5.0 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
    Australia8 months 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
    Australia3 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.

Audience notes the Australian focus and relevance to current governance challenges.
Experts praise the host for candid, practical governance conversations.
Listeners highlight the actionable tips and diverse guest perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#202
Australia/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#211
France/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#4
Poland/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#58
Poland/Business
Apple Podcasts
#116
South Africa/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Summer Series: Board composition and effectiveness mini series – Katie Constantinou on onboarding new directors
Q: What key takeaways do you want listeners to have about the onboarding process?
Don't feel overwhelmed by the process; engage with those who have recently undergone it to gather insights.

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 show concentrates on governance, boards, and leadership, often focusing on practical governance skills, board dynamics, risk culture, and the evolving role of chairs and non-profit governance. Interviews frequently feature women directors and senior governance professionals who share actionable takeaways for improving boardroom effectiveness, fostering constructive culture, and navigating complex governance challenges. A standout aspect is the emphasis on diverse perspectives, practical frameworks, and real-world experiences that listeners can apply in their own governance journeys, whether they're aspiring directors or current board members.

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Which podcasts are similar to Take on Board?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Take on Board:

1. 15 Minutes with the Boss
2. Chat 10 Looks 3
3. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
4. Mamamia Out Loud
5. How I Work

How many episodes of Take on Board are there?

Take on Board launched 7 years ago and published 355 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Take on Board?

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What guests have appeared on Take on Board?

Recent guests on Take on Board include:

1. Kate Waterford
2. Philip Chronican
3. Melinda Clark
4. Helen Hu
5. Jane Davel
6. Karen Raitt
7. Nicola Gibbs
8. Claire Schonfeld

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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