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

• Modules 1-4: Sat 3 May, 2025 9.30am – 5pm (full day, in person, Brunswick, Victoria)
• Module 5: Tue 6 May, 2025 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
• Module 6: Tue 13 May, 2025 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
• Module 7: Tue 20 May, 2025 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
• Module 8: Tue 27 May, 2025 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
• Module 9: Tue 3 June, 2025 7.15am – 9am (105 mins, Zoom)
• Follow up session 1: Tue 1 July, 2025 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)
• Follow up session 2: Tue 30 Sept, 2025 7.45am – 8.45am (60 mins, Zoom)

Session topics: Learn more about what this program covers.

Pricing

• Super earlybird $1,350 + GST until TBC
• Earlybird price $1,800 (+GST) until TBC
• Full price $2,250 (+GST).

You might be eligible for an KickStarter scholarship!

There are two 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+

Also considered, women or gender diverse people who are:

• Undertaking unpaid caring responsibilities
• Working part-time and/or in the not-for-profit sector
• Earning less than $75,000 per year

To apply, you’ll need to provide:

• A short outline about your eligibility for a scholarship
• Evidence of your financial situation (if earning less than $75,000 per year)

If accepted, we’ll email the code to you. 

Email me if you’d like to discuss your eligibility and the application process.

What others have said about KickStarter

Hands-on approach
“Helga’s ‘Board KickStarter Group Coaching Program for Women’ provides a practical, hands-on approach to developing your own personal strategy to becoming a board member. Aside from creating my own framework to becoming a board member in the near future, it provided me with valuable insight into how I can work better with my own board, and introduced me to a supportive group of inspiring women.”

Jade Barnaby, National Accreditation & Compliance Manager at Tyre Stewardship Australia

Enlightening, interesting and thought-provoking
“The KickStarter program was great for motivating me, improving my confidence and connecting with other strong, interesting women. It really got me thinking about what’s involved and helped me realise I can do lots of things. I found it enlightening, interesting and thought-provoking. To others who are thinking about doing the program I would say it’s good for getting into positive thinking.”

Georgy Wood, Strategic communications and engagement adviser

Definitely worthwhile!
“Highly recommend the Kickstarter program if you are considering joining a board for the first time. Helga is a great coach who provides practical steps and advice needed to apply for your first board role in a fun and supportive environment. It’s also a great opportunity to meet other women who are seeking to do the same. Definitely worthwhile!”

Dimi Boubolas, Program Director and Executive General Manager in insurance

Go do it! Definitely sign up
“The Kickstarter program was a really good overview of the responsibilities of directors and governance roles and issues. I really enjoyed it – it was fun, collaborative and inspiring. To those that are thinking about it, I say ‘Go do it! Definitely sign up’. Bring your thoughts and experience and also an open mind to absorb what you learn. Thanks for the opportunity. Helga facilitated the program with a combination of her energy and passion for driving women to be confident in taking a path to directorships.”

Anna Chung, Senior Finance Executive

A useful way to rethink career development
“Helga’s Kickstarter program was a really good way to explore and understand what’s involved in a NFP board and how to go about it. But it was more than just that – it was also a useful way to rethink career development. The atmosphere was creative and collegiate – a supportive network. Helga helped us to inspire ourselves. I’d recommend it to anyone in career transition or who is seeking to take up a non-executive director role.”

Melissa Clarkson, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Members Equity Bank

Positive and uplifting sessions
“I recently completed the Kickstarter with Helga Svendsen. Helga provided positive and uplifting sessions. She guided the group to set attainable personal and professional goals and gave us confidence to identify our strengths in order to determine some clear direction in our future career path. The sessions had a fabulous energy and it was great to share the experience with five inspiring women!”

Nadine Gaskell, Knox Council