Balancing Representation & Risk on NFP Boards with Mike Gonski, Chair, ReachOut Australia & Carriageworks episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 7, 2026 · 15 MIN

Balancing Representation & Risk on NFP Boards with Mike Gonski, Chair, ReachOut Australia & Carriageworks

from Minutes by boardcycle: Directors | Executives | Governance · host Boardcycle

"I think dealing with risk is really hard - especially without good experience or mentors around you." - Mike GonskiNFP chair and Herbert Smith Freehills partner Mike Gonski addresses the governance tension at the heart of many not-for-profit boards: how to give voice to the people your organisation exists to serve, while managing the very real risks that come with putting inexperienced directors in governance roles.Mike shares what ReachOut learned from its experiment with mandated youth board membership, what effective observer programs actually look like, and why the "empty chair" concept has genuine merit without the governance complications of a board seat.________________Follow Podcast Host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Conway⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle website

"I think dealing with risk is really hard - especially without good experience or mentors around you." - Mike GonskiNFP chair and Herbert Smith Freehills partner Mike Gonski addresses the governance tension at the heart of many not-for-profit boards: how to give voice to the people your organisation exists to serve, while managing the very real risks that come with putting inexperienced directors in governance roles.Mike shares what ReachOut learned from its experiment with mandated youth board membership, what effective observer programs actually look like, and why the "empty chair" concept has genuine merit without the governance complications of a board seat.________________Follow Podcast Host ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Richard Conway⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInFollow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on LinkedInVisit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠boardcycle website

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Balancing Representation & Risk on NFP Boards with Mike Gonski, Chair, ReachOut Australia & Carriageworks

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This episode was published on March 7, 2026.

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"I think dealing with risk is really hard - especially without good experience or mentors around you." - Mike GonskiNFP chair and Herbert Smith Freehills partner Mike Gonski addresses the governance tension at the heart of many not-for-profit...

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