Effective governance lies at the heart of every successful not-for-profit organisation. As regulatory requirements evolve and stakeholder expectations increase, board members face growing pressure to demonstrate exemplary leadership and oversight. Whether you're new to board service or a seasoned director seeking to refresh your knowledge, this session is designed for anyone working or advocating in our sector, including women with lived experience who are keen to use their knowledge and experience on boards. No prior governance experience is required – just bring your passion and willingness to learn.

Understanding your board's responsibilities, especially with the increasing focus on appropriate policies and processes, can be daunting. How do you know your board has everything covered and that everyone understands their role and responsibilities? This 2 hour highly informative session, suited to both emerging and experienced board members, will cover:

The roles and responsibilities of board members, including the difference between non-executive, independent, executive and nominee directors
What the company secretary and chair need to do
The role of Director's duties in determining what directors need to discuss at every meeting
How conflicts of interest work and why they are a problem
What insolvent trading is and what every director needs to know about the organisation's finances

Presented by Dr Kath Hall, an internationally recognised corporate governance expert, non-executive director and writer. She is a passionate advocate for women, and an award-winning educator and mentor.

In her academic work, Kath was internationally recognised for her research on psychology and corporate corruption, foreign bribery regulation and whistleblowing. She has worked with and advised leading international organisations including the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit, International Bar Association Anti-Corruption Committee, Safra Centre for Ethics Harvard University, Anti-Corruption Academy Vienna, and the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

Kath holds a PhD in Law and Psychology from the Australian National University and brings a unique understanding of human behaviour into all her work. In 2020, she transitioned from her role at the ANU College of Law to broaden her impact in governance and social justice.

Currently, Kath leads the national governance programs for Women on Boards (WOB) and serves as a Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary for the Women's Justice Network, supporting women with lived experience of the criminal justice system in NSW and the ACT.

She is also developing a social enterprise, Just Governance, addressing the limited access that young women and non-binary individuals have to governance training and roles in Australia. Just Governance offers a non-traditional pathway program to young leaders, particularly those with lived experience of the criminal justice system and women from indigenous and culturally diverse communities, equipping them with the necessary skills and support to successfully apply for governance roles in community, social justice, sporting, and not-for-profit organisations around Australia.

As with all our events, this session will be held online over lunch time. Our presenters know that you're busy professionals and won't be offended if you eat your lunch while they present.