E7 | Kerryn Newton on What Makes Great Boards Work

Few people have observed Australian boardrooms as closely as Kerryn Newton.

For almost two decades, Kerryn has advised boards, recruited directors and worked alongside organisations navigating governance challenges across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. Through her work as Founder and Managing Director of Directors Australia, she has developed a unique perspective on what separates high-performing boards from those that struggle to achieve their potential.

In this episode of our 20 Years of Women on Boards podcast series, Kerryn joins Claire Braund OAM to reflect on her governance journey, the lessons she has learned from hundreds of boardrooms and the advice she shares with aspiring directors.

Kerryn discusses the importance of purpose, board culture and relationships, arguing that the effectiveness of a board is shaped less by its policies and processes and more by the quality of the conversations, trust and dynamics around the board table. She also shares her views on board diversity, AI governance and the future of board recruitment.

Along the way, Kerryn reflects on the role Women on Boards has played in supporting better governance and reveals the three phrases that best describe her own journey: backing herself, resilience and bravery.

Listen to hear Kerryn’s practical insights on governance, board effectiveness and what it takes to build a meaningful board career.

About Kerryn Newton

Kerryn Newton is the Founder and Managing Director of Directors Australia, one of Australia’s leading board recruitment and governance advisory firms.

A lawyer by training and former Army Reserve officer, Kerryn founded Directors Australia in 2009 and has spent the past 17 years advising boards, recruiting directors and helping organisations strengthen governance and leadership capability.

Throughout her career, she has worked with boards across the listed, private, government and not-for-profit sectors, developing a reputation for understanding board dynamics, leadership and what drives board effectiveness.

Kerryn is a long-standing supporter of Women on Boards and has played an important role in improving transparency and access to board opportunities across Australia. Through her work, she has helped hundreds of organisations build stronger boards and assisted countless directors in navigating their governance journeys.

Three Key Insights from Kerryn

Purpose matters more than status

Kerryn encourages aspiring directors to be clear about why they want to serve on a board. Organisations are looking for directors who genuinely connect with their purpose, not those simply seeking another line on their resume.

Board effectiveness is built on relationships

While governance frameworks and policies are important, Kerryn believes the most effective boards are characterised by trust, constructive challenge, strong relationships and a willingness to listen and learn.

Be brave and back yourself

For those seeking their first board role, Kerryn’s advice is simple: put your hand up. Every board journey starts somewhere, and resilience is often the difference between those who achieve their goals and those who give up too soon.

Learn more about Women on Boards

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