The topic of Australian women in board positions has created huge discussion over the last few years, and has promoted the Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network to host an event answering some of the questions women have about moving into a board position or creating their own board of directors. The Dell’s Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (DWEN) (DWEN) gathered an inspiring panel of DWEN alumni and associates to share personal experiences of board selection and creation, as well as insights and lessons learned along the way. The “Women on Boards” panel was facilitated by Catriona Pollard of CP Communications and featured three other panelists –
- Louise McCann – iiNet Limited, Australian Physiotherapy Association, The CEO Institute Chairman and The Brain Bank
- Rebecca Davies – Gondwana Choirs Chair, LCM Healthcare, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and Westpac’s BT Financial Group
- Jenny Houden – Co-founder and Executive Director currently undertaking the board building process for Task Retail Technology
The panel focused their discussion on entrepreneurial women on boards and how they can develop skills and promote themselves as board-ready.
“For entrepreneurial women, we often don’t play by the rules or fit into preset roles, and I think boards should start being open to ‘thinking outside’ the square for new Directors,” said Catriona Pollard.
For many Australian women, being on a board can provide the opportunity to influence important decisions, develop networks, and build on and develop new knowledge and skills. The panel discussed the value of having a board in a business – from the right timing to create a board, the structures business owners need to put in place, identifying skills needed to make a successful board and how to find those people and recruit them.
Amy Lyden, CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, attended the event and gained knowledge and key insights from the diverse background of panelists.
“Rebecca Davies’ extensive experience as a NED really shone through. She highlighted the importance of your own network in finding board roles. And, Louise McCann’s advice to be strategic in planning your career and furthering education was a stand out.” “It was also good to hear from Jenny Houden as a business owner just now putting together a board for her business. This is such an important piece to assist in the growth of any business.”
Businesswomen’s Network Hall of Fame Inductee, Wendy Simson of Springboard Enterprises was also at the event that prompted her to think again.
“We all have more power than we realise. How will we use the power we have? We can be more positive and more influential within the circles we move in. As we as a society support the growth of more women-led businesses, we’ll see the way business is done will change,” Wendy said.
Dell Women’s Entrepreneur Network (DWEN) is committed to helping women entrepreneurs expand their networks and find valuable resources that enable business innovation and growth. Dell’s Women Entrepreneurs’ Network (DWEN). Join the DWEN LinkedIn Group here. This post was authored by Michelle Sammut. Michelle is currently completing a journalism internship at the Australian Businesswomen’s Network. She studies Media and Communications at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney and is pursuing a career in journalism. [php function=16]
