INTRODUCING THE BOARD
It’s rare that a CEO has the privilege of writing the words “I LOVE my Board!” and genuinely meaning it! The directors of Mettle Women Inc. are meritorious humans with hearts larger and more generous than most. In thinking about how I could introduce them to our community I felt that listing their credentials, although very impressive, was a bit boring. So I thought I’d share how I introduced them to each other. It’s very colloquial but that’s how we get stuff done around here. We are authentic with each other and we all operate with one thing in mind “HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF IMAPCT FOR THE WOMEN WE EXIST TO SERVE?” Our ego is checked at the door of every board meeting and we work together knowing that what we’re uniting for is bigger than us.
So, here’s the email our board of directors received when I e-introduced them to each other for the first time:
“Thank you SO much for agreeing to come on this journey with me. I have come to you because I respect each of you and hold your professional and personal attributes with such high regard! I am so honoured to have a Board of such magnificent people and can’t wait to see the impact that we can have working together. I’ll organise a proper catch up drinks to go with our first official Board meeting this week but before I do, please meet your fellow Board Members by way of me trying to convey how great you all are without being too mooshy…(too late)”
CHAIR OF THE BOARD- THE STRATEGY QUEEN, THE “LET’S MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE” WOMAN, THE SOCIAL ENTERPRISE & BUSINESS EXPERT
– CATH WYATT
Cath might just hold the world record for the largest and most compassionate business driven heart in the world. Cath runs a consultancy business that harnesses the power of business to change the world for the better. She works with private businesses and non-profits to enable a symbiotic relationship in which they can both create a positive social and environmental impact, for the mutual benefit of the community and the value of the business itself.
DEPUTY CHAIR - THE ENTREPRENEUR, THE ENGINEER GONE ROGUE (FOR THE GOOD OF HIS COMMUNITY) GUY, THE CONNECTIONS MAN
- MIKE O’HANLON
The kind of guy who absorbs every word you say whilst he thinks of what he can do to leverage his connections, his skills and his compassion to ensure your project does well. I met Mike at his first business venture, The Bird, and have watched him transform Perth into a more liveable city. Everything Mike embarks on, he does with purpose and good intent. He’s a super genius who is connected with the local government and understands what Perth City needs to thrive and how to launch a startup in our beautiful city. If this isn’t enough - he also has a project in which he recycles old E-waste parts to teach communities in Myanmar how to make their own batteries, powering their homes & towns.
More about SWITCH Batteries here
TREASURER - THE SMARTEST SUPER STAR, THE NUMBERS WIZARD, THE KEEP BRON IN LINE WHEN SHE’S BEING TOO CRAZY WITH HER IDEAS WOMAN, THE UNDER THE RADAR GENIUS (who should be more vocal about how bloody brilliant she is!) - LARISSA BALL
I asked Larissa to be my treasurer because she is the most incredibly clever woman I know. She is a big hearted Mumma Bear and always has everything organised and in control. I know without a skerrick of doubt that she will keep our finances in line and help my non-finance brain when I’m being a silly. She left Deloitte to become the global commercial analyst for Forever New & now works for the BBC as a financial analyst. She understands retail trends and e-commerce better than most - something that will come in very handy with our social enterprise. She understands that as a control freak Virgo, I can’t function without forward planning and will indulge me when I’m writing lists for something that is 5 years away.
THE BRANDING & BIG IDEAS GUY, THE RESILIENT “THIS ISN’T A PROBLEM, IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY” GUY, THE MARKETING, ADVERTISING & CREATIVE GENIUS
– ALEX PAIOFF
Alex is a creative mastermind. Need some engaging marketing & advertising content? Just wait until his whimsical mind is in action (which is all the time, really). Bring the beers and a some comfy bean bags and you’ll have the most productive brainstorming session of your life. Add to the mix the resilience of a ….okay, woah, momentary distraction…
I had a mind blank and was trying to think of a super resilient animal so I typed into google “the most resilient animal” and this thing called a tiny tardigrade came up! Do yourself a favour and google it immediately!
. . .
Sorry, I digress…The resilience of a tiny tardigrade and the ability to turn adversity into opportunity. Also one of the most loyal and kind humans I know.
THE SALT OF THE EARTH GENUINE DREAM, THE “I’LL TELL IT HOW IT IS IF IT WILL HAVE A BETTER OUTCOME FOR THE CAUSE” WOMAN, THE ON THE GROUND CONNECTION TO OUR CAUSE
– MORGAN PLEYDELL-BOUVERIE
Need someone to be real with? Need some honest and well-informed guidance? Morgan is your gal! Working for several years in a clinical mental health setting, Morgan has assisted many women and men experiencing extreme marginalisation, homelessness, serious mental health issues, and drug and alcohol dependency. Morgan understands the trauma that the women in our program have faced and wants to assist us in ensuring that we have created a program that is as considerate and compassionate as possible, with a likelihood of sustainable impact. She’s also great to have a vulnerable chat with so if you need a shoulder to cry on, look no further…