KickStarter 2026
Spring program
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.
Spring program schedule
- 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 13 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
Spring program:
- Earlybird price: $1,980. Book before Thursday, 23rd July.
- 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.
I joined Helga’s Kickstarter Program thinking I would gain some clarity about Board opportunities and accountability. What I didn’t expect was to leave with greater clarity, confidence and a network of incredible, supportive individuals all navigating the same journey. Helga has a rare talent for crafting a professional learning environment, which is practical, thoughtful and evolved... She creates a supportive space where you can ask ANY questions without ever feeling judged. There’s plenty of practical advice, real-world insights and the occasional reality check—all delivered with warmth, humour and genuine insight. What stood out most was Helga’s ability to help each person recognise the value they already bring to the table through their own lived experiences and diversity. If you've ever looked at a Board Role and been unsure if you are ready - this program is for you. You'll leave with a clearer path forward, a stronger sense of your own value and an incredibly supportive network to rely on to help you navigate your next steps towards securing a Board Role. I highly recommend it.
Helga's Kickstarter program is thoughtfully planned and wonderfully executed. Bringing a fantastic and supportive group of women together into a safe space to achieve clarity around their board ambitions, and develop a sensible path forward along with the tools to approach it. Helga's leadership style is inspiring and instills everyone in the room with the confidence to recognise their own value proposition. She is a unique human and it's a fantastic course. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about Diversity and Inclusion with an interest making an impact from the board room.
I cannot recommend the KickStarter program highly enough. If you are exploring a board pathway, building confidence in the value you bring or wanting practical skills to navigate your early board career, this program is genuinely worth your time. For me, the real highlight was the cohort. I met an incredible group of highly accomplished women who were generous, sharp and truly invested in each other. It is a network that will hopefully stay with me throughout my board journey, and it is made up of people who cheer you on, challenge your thinking and celebrate your wins. The program also gave me clarity about my board skills, where I want to head and the contribution I can make at the table. That combination of confidence and direction has been invaluable. Plus, you become part of the Take on Board community, which means you can continue connecting with other women and gender diverse people at future events. It is a network that keeps growing. And Helga is the Connector in Chief. She brings a blend of warmth, grounded presence and deep capability. Helga creates a space where you feel supported and stretched, and where you can learn what truly matters in board work while showing up as yourself. If you are considering it, I encourage you to take the step. It is an investment in your capability, your confidence and the community around you.
I highly recommend Helga Svendsen's KickStarter Program to any woman aspiring to secure a board position and strengthen her governance capability. The program provides a practical, step-by-step approach to understanding the board landscape, identifying suitable opportunities, and preparing strong board applications. What sets it apart is the combination of expert coaching, peer learning, and hands-on practice. One of the most valuable aspects of the program was the opportunity to connect with 12 other ambitious, talented, and experienced women from diverse professional backgrounds. The relationships, support, and insights gained from this cohort were just as impactful as the formal learning. Through group work, coaching sessions, and practical exercises, we were able to refine our board profiles, practice articulating our value proposition, and gain confidence in navigating the board recruitment process. Helga generously shared nuggets of wisdom from her own lived experience, offering real-world perspectives that cannot be found in textbooks. The program is empowering, supportive, and action-oriented. Whether you are considering your first board role or looking to expand your board portfolio, KickStarter provides the tools, confidence, and network to help you take the next step.