KickStarter 2026
Autumn and spring programs
KickStarter is a practical and supportive group program that provides women and gender-diverse people with the knowledge, skills and tools to find, apply and step into their first board director role.
This program is like being part of a sports team preparing for an event – with an experienced coach at your side along with the rest of the team to cheer you on. Find out more about me – your coach.
When it is held
Autumn program
- Modules 1-4: Saturday 9 May, 2026 | 9.30am – 5pm (full day, in person, Brunswick, Victoria)
- Module 5: Tuesday 12 May, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 6: Tuesday 19 May, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 7: Tuesday 26 May, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 8: Tuesday 2 June, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 9: Tuesday 9 June, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 10: progress sessions:
- Session 1: Monday 6 July, 2026 | 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)
- Session 2: Monday 31 August , 2026 | 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)
Spring program
- Modules 1-4: Saturday 1 August, 2026 | 9.30am – 5pm (full day, in person, Brunswick, Victoria)
- Module 5: Tuesday 4 August, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 6: Tuesday 11 August, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 7: Tuesday 18 August, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 8: Tuesday 25 August, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 9: Tuesday 1 September, 2026 | 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
- Module 10: progress sessions:
- Session 1: Tuesday 6 October, 2026 | 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)
- Session 2: Tuesday 8 December, 2026 | 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)
Session topics: Learn more about what this program covers.
Please note: All session times are listed in Melbourne local time (AEST/AEDT).
Pricing
- Super earlybird price: $1,485 (40% off full price). Book before:
- Before Tuesday 31 March for the autumn program
- Before Monday 6 July for the spring program
- Earlybird price: $1,980
- Full price: $2,475
Please note: Prices above include GST. If paying by credit card, additional processing fees apply.
You might be eligible for a KickStarter scholarship!
There are three scholarship places available at 75% off the full-priced fee.
Preference for these scholarship places will be given to women and gender diverse people who are:
- Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- From culturally diverse backgrounds
- Those who identify as having a disability
- LGBTIQA+
- Those undertaking unpaid caring responsibilities or working part-time to accommodate this
As a guide, applicants are likely to be earning less than $80,000 per year.
To apply, you’ll need to provide:
- A short outline about your eligibility for a scholarship (ie: how you meet the criteria outlined above)
- An indication of your annual income
- Which sessions you are available for
If accepted, we’ll email the code to you. To redeem, choose a session and enter the code.
Email me if you’d like to discuss your eligibility and the application process.
Program registration below.
Please note: Allow yourself at least 20-30 minutes of uninterrupted time to complete the registration form. If you need to save and return to the form later, please use the Save and Continue Later button at the bottom of the form.
Once you have completed the registration form, you will receive (in separate emails) a copy of this completed registration form and a tax invoice.
What others have said about KickStarter
Over 100 women and gender diverse people have graduated from my KickStarter program. Read their testimonials…
I would highly recommend the Take on Board Kickstarter Program, which I found to be very insightful and helpful on my career path in leadership and the boardroom.
Ruth Kamau, Financial Specialist | Treasurer | CPA (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, spring program)
“Helga is an exceptional facilitator who creates an environment where people feel both supported and challenged to grow. She has a gift for connecting people and drawing out the strengths and contributions of every participant. Through her authentic style, she encourages you to take ownership of your learning and apply it with confidence. I was impressed by Helga’s commitment to diversity, and I finished the KickStarter course with new skills and a clearer personal ‘pitch’ thanks to her guidance.”
Jessica Cheers, First Peoples Partnerships at Development Victoria (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, spring program)
“I had the pleasure of participating in the Take on Board KickStarter Program led by Helga, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. Helga has a remarkable ability to bring clarity to governance, making complex concepts easy to understand and apply. Through her guidance, I gained practical governance skills, a strong mindset and the confidence to contribute effectively in a board setting. I highly recommend the Take on Board KickStarter Program to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of governance and take the next step in their board journey.”
Shabnam Daliri, Social Work Professional – Project Coordination- Family Violence Prevention Specialist- Strategic Planning and Program Development-Mentor (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, spring program)
“Helga is fantastic at bringing people together and connecting people with board roles, education on boardroom expectations, and changes. She’s a champion of greater board diversity and board accountability, and honestly…a breath of fresh air. Her knowledge, openness, willingness to support others, and sense of humour made her KickStarter course incredibly valuable and enjoyable. If you’ve ever considered pursuing a board role or simply want to learn more about governance, but don’t know where to start, I highly recommend Helga’s governance and coaching options.”
Casey Gill, Search Specialist | Google Ads, SEO & Digital Marketing | Women In Digital | AI Product Advisor | Institute of Community Directors (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, spring program)
“Pondering if a board role is for you? Or you know it’s for you yet don’t know where to start? If that’s you, then the KickStarter program is what you need. The content of the program is perfect. It provides an overview of boards and the roles of board members. From there, you’re guided to work through your pitch, Board CV and interview skills. The program is designed to give you the content you need and provides opportunities to practice. An excellent combination. The glue that holds it together? A facilitator (Helga) who knows her stuff (and I mean, she really knows her stuff) and a community of fellow travellers who will cheer you on and support you along the way. The skills you learnt are focused on boards yet so much of it is transferable to your executive career too. Don’t hesitate – you won’t regret it.”
Alice Chiew, Senior executive & NED (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, spring program)
“I joined Helga’s KickStarter program looking to gain practical advice and guidance on how to prepare a board CV, find board roles that resonate with me, and prepare for interviews. The program delivered that and so much more! I have also gained a brilliant, supportive community in my cohort, and they are now my sounding board and cheer squad as I continue toward my first board role. My biggest takeaway from the program was creating my pitch to be able to confidently talk about what I bring to the boardroom. Helga’s energy, focus, and ability to hold space made every session engaging and valuable. The mix of in-person and online sessions worked really well to set us up with long-lasting connections and trust. The program has given me clarity and momentum, and even a board application in progress. If you’re considering a board role, this program is the perfect way to kick-start your journey!”
Tracy Bongiorno, CTO at Mentorloop (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, autumn program)
“What will my next move be? As a life-time creative and mid-life entrepreneur, I’m used to dreaming about my future self and taking the steps to get there. And right now I’m dreaming myself as a Non-Executive Director having a real impact on a board, which is why I was thrilled to be a part of Helga Svendsen’s Take on Board Kickstarter Program. A huge thank you and acknowledgement to the wonderful Helga Svendsen. I’m so grateful for her wisdom, experience and insight, all of which I think is second to none. This course was game-changing for me.”
Jo Stanley, Founder and CEO, Broad Radio (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, autumn program)
“I couldn’t recommend Helga’s Take on Board KickStarter course more highly. Helga is warm, highly experienced and the course itself is extremely practical – facilitating tangible outcomes that I know will be of great benefit to me as I pursue my board career. Thanks again Helga.”
Alex Mullins, Medical Advisor, Johnson & Johnson (Take on Board: KickStarter 2025, autumn program)
Program registration