Supporting current and aspiring directors

In early March GGI announced six scholarships to support current and aspiring directors with their governance education.

• Future leader – (women only) for executives or managers aspiring to a board position who have shown leadership promise but require governance training to support their next career move;
• Change champion – (men and women) open to current or aspiring directors who have a proven track record in encouraging better balance in their organisation by championing diversity of gender, background and thought; and
• Social advocate – (men and women) open to management and directors of NFP or charitable organisations who are involved in supporting better outcomes for girls and women in society, either directly or indirectly.

“How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!” ― Maya Angelou

Introducing GGI Scholarship recipient Hollie Hynes

As a sustainability leader I recognised that the engagement I’d get from the board on important issues would be limited if it was not balanced by strong financial, risk and strategic considerations. Governance training will help me maximise the value of those important conversations.”

When Environmental Engineer Hollie Hynes left university and embarked on a career working on major projects for Tier 1 construction companies, she knew she’d made the right decision. I fell in love with the work and the industry. It was a wonderful career path and I was on the ground making a difference to the way projects considered the environment and the impact of what we were delivering,” Hollie said.

A few short years later Hollie found herself presenting to the organisation’s Executive Committee at 25 years of age.

“At the time I didn’t comprehend what a big deal it was,” she said. “With environmental regulation expanding at the time, I wanted to ensure the Executive was across their obligations and liability as directors. As one of the few environmental engineers in the company at the time, I was asked to present about project and organisational compliance and quite quickly was able to advise and guide them in these areas.”

Hollie proceeded to work on some high profile projects but it was while undertaking some MBA subjects at the University of Queensland that she had the ‘lightbulb moment’ that brought environmental science and business together for her.

To influence responsible decision making, Hollie recognised that she needed to consider not just the environment, but its relationship to risk, strategy and financial considerations.

“Margins are low in construction right now, and the costs to bid for projects can run into the tens of millions,” said Hollie. “The challenge for sustainability managers is to serve the operational requirements of the business, while uncovering and leveraging any opportunities that may exist.” It is this, according to Hollie, that prompted her to pursue the opportunity for the GGI scholarship.

“I knew that in order for me to have a greater and more positive influence, I’d need to undertake governance training to help me bring all of the pieces together,” she said. “As a sustainability leader I recognised that the engagement I’d get from the Executive on important issues would be limited if it was not balanced by strong financial, risk and strategic considerations. Governance training will help me maximise the value of those important conversations.”

“GGI’s program appeals to me as I can do it where and when it suits me around my schedule. I can’t afford to take time out of the office for lengthy training right now, so this is a great solution for me rather than putting off such important training.”

Hollie is undertaking Global Governance Initiative’s Governex program around her work commitments. Due to the flexible format of the program, she will have the option to continue her learning on her device while on planned leave in 2019.