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Women on Boards - Leaders and Directors in Conversation

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by Women on Boards

5.0(2 reviews)

103 episodes

Updated Weekly

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Podcast Overview

Impact | Influence | Inspire As we celebrate 20 years of Women on Boards in 2026, we are proud to launch a new podcast and vodcast series - 20 Years of Women on Boards. This series captures the story behind the movement; how it started, the challenges along the way, and the impact it has had on boardrooms across Australia and beyond. Delivered as both a podcast and vodcast, the series allows you to listen on the go or watch the conversations as they unfold, bringing the voices, stories and insights of our community to life. Across 2026, we will release a collection of episodes featuring our founders, key contributors and long-standing members. Together, they will reflect on the evolution of Women on Boards, the progress made, and the work still to be done. The series will explore: • The origins of Women on Boards and why it was needed. • The introduction of the 40:40:20 framework and its influence. • The role of research, including the Board Diversity Index, in driving accountability. • The lived experiences of members who have built board careers over the past two decades. • The future of governance, diversity and leadership. Visit our website www.womeonboards.net Watch the Vodcast at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYKLvbTeR00Oj3GqMWbjEDcID1YevTVW

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Publishing Since

3/6/2020

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Recent Episodes

June 29, 2026

E9 | Victoria Weekes on Building a Meaningful Board Career: Adventure, Courage and Joy

What does it take to build a successful board career that spans healthcare, financial services, housing, agriculture and listed companies? For experienced non-executive director Victoria Weekes, it starts with being willing to learn, embracing uncertainty and remembering that board service is about purpose, not prestige. In the latest episode of the 20 Years of Women on Boards podcast, Victoria joins Women on Boards CEO and Co-founder Claire BraundOAM to reflect on her remarkable governance journey, from her first board appointment in 2008 to a portfolio spanning some of Australia's leading organisations. Drawing on an executive career in banking and financial services, Victoria explains that her move into the boardroom wasn't driven by a desire to leave executive leadership behind. Instead, she wanted broader impact across different sectors while applying her governance and risk expertise to organisations facing complex strategic challenges. One of her earliest board appointments, Cure Brain Cancer Foundation, proved transformational. Beyond strengthening governance in a growing organisation, it reinforced the importance of deeply understanding an organisation's purpose and the sector it serves. "You really have to understand both an organisation, its purpose and deeply understand what it does." Throughout the conversation, Victoria shares practical insights for aspiring and experienced directors alike. She encourages directors to plan their board careers deliberately while remaining open to unexpected opportunities, acknowledging that even the best-laid plans often take unexpected turns. She also challenges the perception that board careers are glamorous. "Sometimes it's just a long, hard slog. Things always happen a little slower than you think." Reflecting on board effectiveness, Victoria believes the best boards are characterised by trust, respect and the ability to come together during periods of uncertainty. In times of crisis, successful boards remain cohesive, have difficult conversations respectfully and keep their focus firmly on the organisation's long-term interests. She also offers an insightful perspective on board culture, suggesting that warning signs are often found in seemingly small behaviours rather than major governance failures. Respectful interactions, strong board hygiene, timely information and directors who genuinely identify with the organisation all contribute to healthy governance. As a long-time advocate for gender equality and one of the founders of the Australian Gender Equality Council, Victoria reflects on the significant progress women have made in Australian boardrooms while cautioning against complacency. Although female representation has improved considerably over the past two decades, she believes true success will only come when diversity extends beyond gender to include cultural diversity, age and broader lived experience. Looking ahead, Victoria sees the next frontier as increasing the number of women board chairs, expanding diversity across all sectors and continuing to create pathways for the next generation of directors. Having been a Women on Boards member since 2008, Victoria credits the organisation with providing not only practical support and board opportunities, but also a community of women travelling similar governance journeys. Asked to describe her own board career in just three words, Victoria chose: Adventure. Courage. Joy. Those three words capture not only her own experience, but also the spirit of a governance career built on curiosity, resilience and a genuine commitment to making organisations stronger.

June 22, 2026

E8 | Dr Bronwyn Evans AM: Engineering Intelligence, Leadership and the Boardroom

Inspire | Influence | Impact As Engineers Australia celebrates International Women in Engineering Day under the theme Engineering Intelligence, our latest 20 Years of Women on Boards podcast with Dr Bronwyn Evans AM provides a powerful reminder that engineering is about far more than technology. One of Australia's most respected engineers, Bronwyn was the first female CEO of both Engineers Australia and Standards Australia, has held senior executive roles at Cochlear and GE Healthcare, and now serves as a non-executive director across a range of sectors. She is also a long-standing Women on Boards member. In conversation with Claire Braund, Bronwyn reflects on a career shaped by curiosity, pragmatism and a willingness to seize opportunities. Growing up in Wollongong during a period of significant industrial growth, she developed an appreciation for practical problem-solving, multicultural collaboration and the belief that education could create opportunities regardless of background. A recurring theme throughout the discussion is the value engineers bring to leadership and governance. Bronwyn believes engineers are uniquely equipped for board roles because of their systems thinking, ability to understand complex problems and disciplined approach to decision-making. While engineers are often associated with technical expertise, she notes that many progress into executive leadership, strategy, operations and transformation roles, making them valuable contributors in the boardroom. The conversation also explores the evolution of technology, from punch-card programming and early automation systems through to today's AI-enabled world. Having completed a PhD in real-time robotic control systems, Bronwyn reflects on how rapidly technology has evolved and why engineers must continue to adapt and embrace new tools while maintaining a focus on solving meaningful problems. As discussions around artificial intelligence continue to dominate board and executive agendas, Bronwyn offers a thoughtful perspective on both the opportunities and challenges ahead. She highlights the importance of maintaining trust, integrity and standards while recognising that AI will continue to reshape how organisations operate and innovate. Bronwyn also reflects on the important role Women on Boards has played throughout her governance journey. Having joined WOB in 2007 while working at Cochlear, she describes the organisation as an egalitarian community where women can test ideas, learn from one another and access opportunities. She recalls the influence of early WOB conferences and the insights gained from global discussions about increasing women's representation on boards. Looking to the future, Bronwyn sees the next challenge as increasing diversity in all its forms, including bringing younger women, culturally diverse women and more engineers into boardrooms. Her message is clear: diverse perspectives lead to better thinking, better governance and better outcomes. Asked to summarise her journey over the past two decades, Bronwyn chose three words: opportunistic, enjoyable and learning. They are fitting reflections from a leader who has spent her career embracing new challenges, championing engineering and helping create pathways for future generations of women leaders. Learn more about <a href="https://www.womenonboards.net/">Women on Boards</a>

June 12, 2026

E7 | Kerryn Newton on What Makes Great Boards Work

Few people have observed Australian boardrooms as closely as Kerryn Newton. For almost two decades, Kerryn has advised boards, recruited directors and worked alongside organisations navigating governance challenges across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Through her work as Founder and Managing Director of Directors Australia, she has developed a unique perspective on what separates high-performing boards from those that struggle to achieve their potential. In this episode of our 20 Years of Women on Boards podcast series, Kerryn joins Claire Braund OAM to reflect on her governance journey, the lessons she has learned from hundreds of boardrooms and the advice she shares with aspiring directors. Kerryn discusses the importance of purpose, board culture and relationships, arguing that the effectiveness of a board is shaped less by its policies and processes and more by the quality of the conversations, trust and dynamics around the board table. She also shares her views on board diversity, AI governance and the future of board recruitment. Along the way, Kerryn reflects on the role Women on Boards has played in supporting better governance and reveals the three phrases that best describe her own journey: backing herself, resilience and bravery. Listen to hear Kerryn's practical insights on governance, board effectiveness and what it takes to build a meaningful board career. <h2>About Kerryn Newton</h2> Kerryn Newton is the Founder and Managing Director of <a href="https://directorsaustralia.com.au/">Directors Australia,</a> one of Australia's leading board recruitment and governance advisory firms. A lawyer by training and former Army Reserve officer, Kerryn founded Directors Australia in 2009 and has spent the past 17 years advising boards, recruiting directors and helping organisations strengthen governance and leadership capability. Throughout her career, she has worked with boards across the listed, private, government and not-for-profit sectors, developing a reputation for understanding board dynamics, leadership and what drives board effectiveness. Kerryn is a long-standing supporter of Women on Boards and has played an important role in improving transparency and access to board opportunities across Australia. Through her work, she has helped hundreds of organisations build stronger boards and assisted countless directors in navigating their governance journeys. <h3><a name="three-key-insights-from-kerryn" id= "three-key-insights-from-kerryn"></a>Three Key Insights from Kerryn</h3> Purpose matters more than status Kerryn encourages aspiring directors to be clear about why they want to serve on a board. Organisations are looking for directors who genuinely connect with their purpose, not those simply seeking another line on their resume. Board effectiveness is built on relationships While governance frameworks and policies are important, Kerryn believes the most effective boards are characterised by trust, constructive challenge, strong relationships and a willingness to listen and learn. Be brave and back yourself For those seeking their first board role, Kerryn's advice is simple: put your hand up. Every board journey starts somewhere, and resilience is often the difference between those who achieve their goals and those who give up too soon. Learn more about <a href="https://www.womenonboards.net/">Women on Boards</a> Follow <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/company/554069/admin/dashboard/">WOB on LinkedIN</a> Follow <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-braund/">Claire Braund on LinkedIn</a> Follow <a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerrynnewton/">Kerryn Newton on LinkedIn</a>

103 total episodes available

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What is Women on Boards - Leaders and Directors in Conversation?: Impact | Influence | Inspire

As we celebrate 20 years of Women on Boards in 2026, we are proud to launch a new podcast and vodcast series - 20 Years of Women on Boards.

This series captures the story behind the movement; how it started, the challenges along the way, and the impact it has had on boardrooms across Australia and beyond.

Delivered as both a podcast and vodcast, the series allows you to listen on the go or watch the conversations as they unfold, bringing the voices, stories and insights of our community to life.

Across 2026, we will release a collection of episodes featuring our founders, key contributors and long-standing members. Together, they will reflect on the evolution of Women on Boards, the progress made, and the work still to be done.

The series will explore: • The origins of Women on Boards and why it was needed. • The introduction of the 40:40:20 framework and its influence. • The role of research, including the Board Diversity Index, in driving accountability. • The lived experiences of members who have built board careers over the past two decades. • The future of governance, diversity and leadership.

Visit our website www.womeonboards.net Watch the Vodcast at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYKLvbTeR00Oj3GqMWbjEDcID1YevTVW
How often does this podcast release new episodes?: This podcast updates weekly.
Where can I listen to this podcast?: This podcast is available on 7 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
Does this podcast accept guests?: Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.

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