Join a league of extraordinary women
Women on Boards (WOB) is a thriving network founded by Claire Braund and Ruth Medd in Australia in 2006 and in the UK in 2012 to improve gender balance on boards and in leadership roles.
Through practical action, advocacy and a willingness to do the hard work to achieve gender balance across all boards in all sectors, Women on Boards has changed the landscape for many thousands of women across Australia.
Our Vision, MISSION & values
Key to our success are our values of inclusion, courage, transparency and courage.
The WOB 'league of extraodinary women' are ambitious and influential, as well as generous and supportive. The principle of reciprocity is alive and well in the WOB network and evidenced in the success of so many of our members over the years. We extend a warm welcome anyone to join WOB, however our focus remains firmly on women.
At inception in 2006, WOB’s vision was to increase the number of women on boards and in leadership roles to achieve a minimum of 40% women on boards.
We welcome the fact that many other advocacy groups have since adopted our founding vision and acknowledge that many boards across many sectors have achieved this 40% milestone.
However within gender we need to look more closely at cultural diversity on boards and raise awareness and create opportunities for culturally diverse women to connect, network and interact with boards. So in 2022 we updated our vision to reflect this new purpose for WOB.
View our SNAPSHOT document HERE
Why Join WOB?
WOB will inspire and equip women to apply for and achieve board and leadership roles through our workshops, events & programs, a curated vacancy board and personal support.
WOB Membership is open to all. It's free to register as a Basic member, with a fee to join as a Full or Premium Member.
Advantages of membership include:
- Access to full details of all board & committee positions on our Vacancy Board
- Support when applying for board roles
- Access to WOBShare, our member-only online community
- Up to 40% discount on WOB events & workshops
- Access to free member only events, such as WOBChat
- Information & resources to assist and motivate you
We also promise to inform, support, connect, mentor and encourage you in your directorship and career journey.
Click here to see the benefits of taking a membership of WOB
Our Team
Women on Boards in Australia has a small but effective team of employees and contractors who lend specialist support.
- Sheena Wilson, Chair & Leadership Program Facilitator
- Claire Braund, Co-Founder & Executive Director
- Mary Sue Rogers, Non Executive Director
- Nicole Donegan, Non Executive Director & Chief Operating Officer
- Ruth Medd, Co-Founder & Former Chair
- Angela Bowen, Events & Programs Manager
- Victoria Featherby, Member Services Manager
- Eva Heist, Corporate Relations & Vacancies Manager
- Geraldine Cardozo, Digital Marketing Manager
- Dan Liszka, WOBSX Program Director
- Kath Hall, WOB ACT Representative & Legal Essentials Workshop presenter
- Anna Hebron, WOB Qld/NT Representative
- Wendy Teasdale-Smith, WOB SA Representative
- Kylah Morrison, WOB WA Representative
- Catherine Brown, MyMentor Manager
- Mahjabeen Zaman, Cultural Diversity Committee Chair
Sheena Wilson
Chair, WOB Australia Pty Ltd (t/a Women on Boards)
Deputy Chair, Heron Todd White
Founder, Parents on Leave
Principal, Sheena Wilson Consulting
Sheena is a highly accomplished business leader, talent executive and accredited career coach, with multi-disciplinary experience on a global scale. She is also a professional Non-Executive Director and Foundation Trustee, and Director and Co-Founder of Parents on Leave Pty Ltd. Sheena is Deputy Chair of a large professional services firm, and Chairs the Board’s People, Performance, Nominations and Governance Committee. She is a Mentor and Leadership Consultant for Women on Boards Australia; a member of the Nominations Committee for Basketball Australia; and coaches Board members and executives from multiple sectors in Australia and internationally. Sheena’s international business career included many years working overseas at The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY Mellon) where she was a member of the firm’s global Operating Committee. She was BNY Mellon’s Head of HR - International for five years; CEO of BNY Mellon India for three years; and Global Head of Talent Strategy for five years. She is an international awardwinning expert in Inclusion & Diversity; and has worked on the ‘people aspects’ of many M&A deals globally. Sheena has lived and worked extensively in Australia, New Zealand, India, the USA and Europe in a range of sectors: Banking & Finance; Management Consulting; Engineering; Social Enterprises and Higher Education among others.
Claire Braund
Non-Executive Director, WOB Pty Ltd (appointed April 2006)
Executive Director, WOB Australia Pty Ltd (appointed Feb 2018)
Chair, Central Coast Conservatorium of Music
Non-Executive Director & Governance Committee Chair, Coast Shelter Emergency Accommodation Ltd
Claire is a social entrepreneur and businesswoman based on the NSW Central Coast. She co-founded Women on Boards in Australia in 2006 and in the UK in 2012 following a career in journalism and public relations. She is an experienced Non-Executive Director on small businesses and large Not-For-Profit organisations and has significant expertise on board governance in many other sectors. Claire is a highly respected facilitator and speaker on a range of topics in the area of board governance, equity and diversity. She is an informed and entertaining MC and presenter and well known for her courage, conviction, compassion and confidence; and as someone who looks for new ideas and opportunities. In 2011 Claire became a Churchill Fellow for her research into gender balance on boards in Norway, France and the UK. She is also a graduate of the Benevolent Society’s Sydney Social Leadership Program which has led to a lifelong interest in affordable housing and related social issues, particularly those impacting women and children.
Mary Sue Rogers
Non-Executive Director, Chair of HR Committee, Member Impact Investment Fund Board
Save the Children Australia
Non Executive Director, Deputy Chair & Member HR Committee East-West Seed
Advisory Board MemberAdvisory Board Member, AIIR Consulting
Non Executive Director, WOB Australia Pty Ltd (Dec 2018 - Current)
Formerly a director of WOB Pty Ltd (Oct 2016 - Dec 2018)
Mary Sue is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of leadership positions from CEO to Partner in global professional services organisations such as Talent2, IBM and PwC. She has a strong focus on business strategy and transformation and is considered an expert in the HR and Talent market, with significant experience and track record in strategy, outsourcing, consulting, technology services, mergers and acquisitions. Mary Sue sits on the HR Committee of the Board of Save the Children Australia and provides pro bono consulting and serves on the board of a newly merged Diving and Travel Services organisation. She has her blog at SaveHR.com and is a guest writer for several organisations including Shared Services Outsourcing Network.
Nicole Donegan GAICD
Chief Operating Officer, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Director, WOB Australia Pty Ltd (appointed Nov 2022)
Formerly Non Executive Director Triathlon Australia, Foundation 49 and Start Foundation.
Nicole is an experienced board member, COO and business adviser and business owner. She has diverse industry and leadership expertise, spanning government, association management, not for profit, tertiary education, retail and professional services sectors. Based in Melbourne, Nicole joins WOB to enhance the subscriber journey, support business growth and manage strategic initiatives.
Ruth Medd FCPA
Chair, WOB Pty Ltd (appointed April 2006)
Chair, WOB Australia Pty Ltd (February 2018 - April 2023)
Chair, Health and Sciences Institute Pty Ltd
Chair, Australian Chocolate Pty Ltd
Ruth is a Certified Practising Accountant and former IT professional who has been pursuing a career as a Non-Executive-Director since 2000. She was the founding chair of Women on Boards and in this capacity has been instrumental in the growth of the business and supported many thousands of women to become board members. She maintains wide interests outside of WOB, including in the start-up sector and angel investing as well as her other board and committee roles. Ruth was previously the chair of Australian Ethical Superannuation, a member of the NSW Casino Control Authority and a director of the Infants Home at Ashfield. Prior executive roles include executive director of the Australian Association of National Advertisers and senior positions with Telstra, the Australian Broadcasting Tribunal and the Federal Government.
Angela Bowen
Events and Programs Manager, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Angela has worked for many years in business administration, with a focus on the education and services sectors. In her role with Women on Boards, Angela brings her high-level expertise in the provision of administrative support and business management. She is particularly involved with subscriber relations and management of nationwide events. Angela is responsible for the development and management of WOBShare. She ensures the WOB member network runs smoothly and helps to build and sustain connections with members. Angela has become known for her efficiency, warmth and attention to all those little details that contribute to a great client experience.
Victoria Featherby
Member Services Manager, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Victoria joined Women on Boards in early 2016 to provide business service and support. She brings more than 15 years’ hospitality and administration experience in both large and small organisations in Spain and the UK, including large hotel chains where she was in direct customer facing roles. Victoria brings diversity and cross-functional experience to the WOB team.
Eva Heist
Corporate Relations & Vacancies Manager, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Eva has extensive experience in HR project management across start-up and corporate in Australia and overseas. She believes in the importance of focusing on the individual to create a value adding member experience. Eva joined Women on Boards Australia to support our corporate partners to maximise their membership and provide project management support.
Geraldine Cardozo
Digital Marketing Manager, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Geraldine is a journalist and editor with more than 25 years' experience in newspaper and magazine publishing, both in Australia and the UK. She has written for a diverse range of titles including London's Evening Standard, Professional Photographer, Belle, House & Garden, Inside Out, Out & About with Kids and The Senior. Based on the NSW Central Coast, Geraldine joins WOB to manage content for the WOB website, newsletters and social media channels while helping increase engagement, brand awareness and membership.
Dan Liszka
WOBSX Program Director
Dan is a long term WOB friend and supporter, business coach & mentor who leverages his significant advisory expertise and access to knowledge, networks and capital to the project. Dan has a background in equity capital raising with a strong focus on small companies and corporate innovation. He is currently the CEO of HUBB Sydney, a community of business owners dedicated to peer support and business growth.
Dr Kath Hall
ACT Representative & Legal Essentials Presenter, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Non-Executive Director, Women's Justice Network
Dr. Kath Hall is a renowned legal academic, writer, and advisor to prestigious organizations such as the United Nations, International Bar Association, Harvard University's Safra Centre for Ethics, Anti-Corruption Academy Vienna, and the International Standards Organization (ISO). She is an award-winning legal educator with extensive experience in teaching and mentoring law students.
Anna Hebron
Qld Representative, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Anna is an executive leader, NED, strategic advisor and mentor with a passion for good governance, inspiring people and teams to be their best and delivering purposeful outcomes with simple process. She is the founder of Your Governance Guide, was appointed Member Appeals Tribunal, Institute of Chartered Accountants, Australia and New Zealand and a Fellow of Governance Institute of Australia.
Wendy Teasdale-Smith
SA Representative, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Non-Executive Director, Road Safety Education
Wendy is a Non-Executive Director of Road Safety Education Limited (RSE) and founder of the business ‘What the Stuff’, which specialises in public speaking. She is the President of Adelaide Toastmasters and a MBA Lecturer at Kaplan. Wendy has a successful background in the education industry and was previously the CEO of SATAC.
Kylah Morrison
.aspx?width=100&height=100)
WA Representative, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Non-Executive Director, Province Resources (ASX:PRL)
Kylah is a Perth based, experienced board member and multi-award winning leader with over 14 years’ experience working in private companies, indigenous organisations, not-for-profits, and start-ups. With substantial experience in the resource sector Kylah has a deep understanding of risks and challenges experienced by corporates, government, local businesses and indigenous organisations operating in remote and regional Australia, particularly in North Western Australia.
Catherine Brown
MyMentor Manager, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Non-Executive Director, The Sovereign Hill Museums Association
Non Executive Director, SEDA College VIC
Director and Co-Founder, Parents on Leave Pty Ltd
Catherine is a leading Human Resources executive with over 30 years’ experience in HR and Consulting as well as a Non-Executive Director. She is a Mentor for Women on Boards Australia, an Executive Coach and HR Consultant with clients globally. Catherine is committed to assisting others achieve their career aspirations and goals and was a panel judge on one of the professional services sector’s first Diversity and Inclusion programs for women.
Mahjabeen Zaman
Cultural Diversity Committee Chair, WOB Australia Pty Ltd
Over 17 years of experience in financial services has helped Mahjabeen develop a deep understanding of investment markets and a wide professional network, both in Australia and Internationally. Mahjabeen's experience in managing Sub-institutional clients and Ultra High Net Worth individuals/families across various geographies including Singapore, Indonesia, Indian subcontinent, UAE, UK and Australia, has embedded her with a global mindset and approach to managing complex investment solutions, portfolio management and relationship building. Mahjabeen is passionate about diversity and inclusion. She is a member of the Citi Women’s Network Committee and member of the NSW State Leadership Committee for Women in Banking and Finance - Australia (WiBF).