As a non-executive-director you have to do what is moral, what is ethical and what is fair. But what is that, is a question that directors need to ask?” She stressed the importance of doing due diligence around other director’s ethics if you are invited onto a board, as ethical issues are far harder to deal with than compliance with the law.
Marie was the guest speaker at the Women on Boards Director lunch hosted by Clayton Utz in Perth last week. She spoke about her 30-year career as a professional in the oil and gas sector, starting out working on the Dampier to Bunbury Pipeline - because at that timet Government provided opportunities for female professionals – and moving through a range of commercial pipeline project before shifting upstream.
She told the audience of WOB members, young female associates from Clayton Utz and partner Saul Harben that if you spend enough time in an industry “there comes a point in your career when you are asked to go on committees,” outlining how she was invited onto the Board of the Petroleum Club of WA and Australian Pipeline Industry Association Board.
After deciding she did not want to be on call 24/7 which her position as COO of Buru Energy Ltd demanded, Marie transitioned to a full-time non-executive-director, with current appointments to Pancontinental Oil & Gas NL, MBS Environmental and Bombora Natural Energy Pty Ltd.
She has also had a few outlier boards; the WA Speedway Commission with its 26 racetracks around WA (24 in the regions), which tapped into her love of racing but challenged her in terms of safety & governance; and Baseball WA, a sport she knew little about, but one that is growing and building a new stadium in Perth and is a conduit for young people to US school and university opportunities.
Marie was one of the many interesting and experienced speakers WOB has at its member-only networking events. Our thanks to her and to long-standing corporate partner, Clayton Utz, who hosted WOB in style in its Perth boardroom.