Episode 292: Board composition and effectiveness mini series – Carmel Mulhern knows how to maximise a board agenda

Today on the Take on Board Podcast, I’m speaking with Carmel Mulhern about board agendas. This is part of the board composition and effectiveness, a five-part mini-series. So first up, you heard me talking about appointing board members. Then you heard Katie Constantinou providing some excellent food for thought about inducting board members. Last week, it was Leesa Chesser and me exploring all things board skills matrices.

Carmel is on the PwC governance board, the Australian Cancer Research Foundation, the Methodist Ladies College Board, the Telstra Foundation Board, and the Center for AI and Digital Ethics advisory board. She was formerly on the boards of Telstra Super Sydney Institute and Justice Connect. Carmel is a seasoned executive with more than 25 years of experience as a trusted advisor to boards and CEOs within the financial services, superannuation, telecommunications, media, technology and manufacturing industries through periods of digital disruption and strategic transformation.

Most recently, Carmel served as group general counsel and head of governance of Commonwealth Bank, driving the fair and efficient resolution of legal matters, rebuilding stakeholder trust and effective corporate governance. Prior to the Commonwealth Bank, she spent almost 20 years at Telstra in various roles, including General Counsel and head of Corporate Affairs.