iThink – A Podcast All About Leadership is hosted by Crispin Blackall and Melissa Brown.

In this special one-off episode we talk to Global Coach and Change Expert Vicki Townsley talks about leadership and the pandemic. Vicki Townsley is Director of Ethical Quest and a regular lecturer at the London Business School she joins the interview from her home in England.

Series Two is ‘Do You Have A Start Up In You‘ and will release on the 22nd October 2020.

In the Series One we look at the journey professional leaders take as they transition between an executive career and a board role.

Episode Four we talk to Suzanne Ardagh and Kathy Townsend. Suzanne Ardagh FAICD is an experienced board director and also leads the board recruitment practice for executive and board search firm Lester Blades.  Previously she led the AICD International Division and WA Division.  She is on the board of the Cancer Council, Netball WA and Independent Chair of Stanley College. Kathy Townsend is also an experienced board director she has led executive and board search firm Kathleen Townsend Executive Solution for over 20 years and is on the board of  Pacific People, she is chair of Australian Volunteering International and also chair of the Victorian Magistrates Appointment Advisory Panel. This slightly longer episode closes out the first series providing a much richer understanding of the board role, what makes for a good board director, the risks associated with this career choice and lots more.

Episode Three we talk to Phil Aitken about his significant experience on Australian and global boards.   Phil is on the board of Newcrest Mining and is Chair of industrial software company Aveva and British construction company Balfour Beatty. Phil talks about the transition from an executive career to a board career and what makes a good non executive director. 

Episode Two we talk to Doug Snedden about how he made the career change from CEO of Accenture to a portfolio career 50% as a non executive director for not for profit organisations and 50% as a board member on listed companies. Doug also provides some rich insights into the sort of skills and experience that boards are looking for, the importance of good mentor’s and what makes a great director.

Episode One we talk to two inspiring and very different leaders about their board careers. Sue O’Connor has had a distinguished executive and board career, Sue is non executive director at Mercer, Treasury Corporation Victoria, Kordia and ClimateWorks Australia and Chair at Yarra Valley Water and Bush Heritage Australia. 

Our second guest is Lisa Cook. Lisa is the founder and Managing Director at Get On Board Australia, she has held numerous board and advisory roles for Australian College of Professionals, Western Business Leaders and Inclusive Sport SA.