How Solai Valliappan learned to love being a board chair

Today, on the Take on Board podcast, I'm talking to Olivia Giudice about chairing your boards risk committee.Olivia is a Board Director, former Chair of the Audit, Finance & Risk Committee and current CEO of Homeward Bound, a global leadership initiative for women leaders with a STEMM background. She has also held several Chief Risk Officer, risk and audit roles across public sector and ASX-listed environments. Olivia has a keen interest in how people experience risk through behaviour, decisions and culture.Links and ResourcesOlivia on LinkedInUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo Take On Board episode, I introduce the Human Synergistics Group Styles Inventory (GSI) as a tool boards can use to increase effectiveness. I explain the Human Synergistics Circumplex with 12 group styles across three clusters: constructive (blue), passive/defensive (green), and aggressive/defensive (red), and I describe how each can show up in board dynamics. I share that Human Synergistics research links more effective groups with higher constructive styles and lower defensive/aggressive styles, and I outline how a board can measure itself after a meeting or a simulation, set actions, and remeasure later. I also describe an anonymised board simulation where we focused on increasing self-actualising and affiliative behaviours while reducing avoidant and power behaviours, and I emphasise that these actions should be owned by the whole board, not just the chair, CEO, or secretary.Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Solai Valliappan about learning how to be a board chair.Solai is a Sydney-based technology investor, advisor, and board director. Starting her career as an Actuary, she transitioned into the startup world 10 years ago. She has been leveraging her finance expertise to advise family offices, venture capital firms, accelerators, and startups across Australia, including investing as an angel investor.She discusses the importance of structure, feedback, and clear boundaries between governance and operations, especially within small organizations and not-for-profits. Solai emphasizes learning on the job, drawing on resources like podcasts and peer feedback, and encourages others to take on new challenges in board leadership.Links and ResourcesSolai on LinkedInSolai's SubstackSolai's YouTubeUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Take on Board, I discuss a topic that is sometimes overlooked: the crucial role of governance calendars for boards. Think of it as the board's essential work plan, a simple table or spreadsheet that lays out exactly when the board will tackle key topics (strategy, budget, compliance, CEO check-ins, etc.) over the next year or more.Links and ResourcesAICD Board CalendarsEffective Governance Calendar TemplateSavvy Director PrepAnnual Board & Compliance Calendar templateUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take on Board podcast, I'm speaking with Suzie Thoraval about governance of risk and audit. Suzie is the independent chair of the finance, audit and risk Committee at the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, and she's a member of the finance, risk and audit committees at the Judicial College of Victoria and the cities of Greater Dandenong, Knox and Whittlesea.She's previously been on the advisory board for the College of Law's Centre for Legal Innovation and the Chair of Dear Dyslexic Foundation, and on the School Council of Camberwell Primary School. Suzie is a seasoned legal governance and strategic leadership professional with deep expertise in audit risk and corporate governance.She brings 25 years of experience, including 13 years in senior leadership in government. She brings a Master of Laws and a strategic, inquisitive mindset to every conversation.Links and ResourcesSuzie Thoraval on LinkedInSuzie's past newsletters are on her website along with YouTube videos: www.suziethoraval.com and https://www.youtube.com/@SuzieThoravalUpcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Take On Board podcast, I’ll be discussing risk and risk appetite statements. This topic has been on my mind because I recently facilitated a workshop with a board focused on their risk appetite.I’d like to walk you through the process I often use with groups and share some resources that I find helpful. Risk appetite is undoubtedly an important aspect that boards should consider and address. should be paying attention to. Links and ResourcesSetting your risk appetite: supplementary guidance (The Institute of Risk Management) Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take On Board podcast, I'm speaking with Daralyse Lyons about non-executive roles and executive director positions. We may even hear the story of why she resigned from a role in which she excelled, and how the board influenced that decision.Daralyse is a journalist and author with prior experience in business development and financial management. She has written more than two dozen books, several short stories, and countless articles.She is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and the former Vice President of Philadelphia's chapter of NLGJA. Daralyse graduated summa cum laude from New York University, where she earned a double major in English and religious studies and a minor in history. In 2023, she received the Pennsylvania City and State Impact Award, recognizing her as one of the 75 most impactful individuals in Pennsylvania.More recently, she became a Who's Who Honoree. Currently, she serves as the Chief Revenue Officer for Bucks County Beacon.Upcoming TOB EventsAll eventsYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityFollow along on TwitterWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programFind out more about meContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy 2026, Take on Boarders. It is fabulous to be back on the other side. I had a little break. During that period, just a week in Adelaide, between Christmas and New Year, lots of beautiful walks along the Torrens River, catching up with a few of the take on board community and just. Having a bit of a relax, really.As you know, one of the things I often do during the break is reflect a little more on my RSVP statement. Where I'd landed last year was that, for this year, it's about holding space for me and identifying what I'm not going to be doing. Doing a perhaps unsu to be new things.I have found that a little bit tricky, so I'm not as clear on that as I would like. However, I have made some progress, all things considered. It was actually gonna be about Take on Board and the podcast, and I was gonna drop it back to fortnightly. However, I've decided to hold off on that for at least a little while. So what is the plan for Take on Board? Well, you'll need to tune in here for all the news. You might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take on Board podcast, I’m speaking with Linh Do about the Take on Board accelerator program. This is a program I run, and many of you will know that earlier this year, I did a miniseries on the podcast about professional development options and forgot to do my own.Linh is the chair of the Climate Action Network Australia and AktivAsia, and a board member of the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. She’s also a member of the research committee at the Centre for Policy Development. She was formerly on the board of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership because I was on the board there as well, although I don’t think we were on it at the same time. And she’s been on a range of government advisory groups.Linh has a background in climate advocacy in leadership, and she’s currently the director of the Wattle Fellowship at the University of Melbourne.Professional development for board directors mini series playlist:​​Episode 326: Francie Doolan asks do you have the skills to govern in a changing world?Episode 325: Kim Sullivan’s fresh perspective on the AICD Company Directors courseEpisode 324: Ngaire Anderson experienced the AICD Boardroom Mastery programEpisode 323: Jane Davel has options for New Zealand board membersEpisode 322: Jennifer Duncan on the virtues of the Governance for Social Impact programEpisode 321: Professional development in governance with Kiki PaulYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the Take on Board podcast, I’m speaking with Candice Deville about AI and the missing AI conversation in the boardroom.Candice was formally on the board of Charity Bay, and she’s the founder of AI Co-pilot and a leading AI strategist with 20-plus years of experience in digital transformation, enterprise marketing and emerging tech. She advises boards, government, and growth-stage companies on responsible AI adoption, blending commercial insight with a sharp human-centered lens on the future of work.AI in the boardroom mini series playlist:Episode 314: AI in the boardroom mini series – Dr Henna Karna delivers the basics on AIEpisode 315: AI in the boardroom mini series – Candice DeVille explains what boards should be asking about AIEpisode 316: AI in the boardroom mini series – Dottie Schindlinger is sharing some AI research for boardsEpisode 317: AI in the boardroom mini series – Alice TangEpisode 318: AI in the boardroom mini series – Kate Larsen says it’s time to talk about the ethics of AIEpisode 319: Candice answers questions about AI in the boardroomLinks and ResourcesCandice DeVille on LinkedInCandice DeVille WebsiteThe AI-Ready Playbook: Navigating AI Like A Pro by Candice DeVilleFree AI PDFYou might want to:Join the Take on Board Facebook communityJoin the Take on Board LinkedIn communityWork with meJoin the Take on Board: Kickstarter group programJoin the Take on Board: Accelerator group programContact me Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.