Yesterday we hosted a Pathway to the Boardroom breakfast with guest speakers Melinda Conrad and Pippa Downes at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney.

Both Melinda and Pippa spoke candidly about their respective personal experiences in the boardroom, offering perspectives and reflections on the commitment involved in a board career.

Melinda explained the journey from Executive to Non-Executive Director is not a linear progression and requires a lot of hard work. She went on to discuss it as a change in career direction that requires networking and the development of your personal brand and value add proposition to a board.

Pippa spoke to the need for an advocate who can endorse you onto boards. She highlighted just how important it is to ensure you have done your due diligence not just on the financials of an organisation but also on the people and culture and reinforced that the culture of the board is set by the Chair.

Both ladies stressed the importance of joining organisations that are aligned to your interests and where you can make a positive impact.