Unique and multi-faceted - building, construction, the Arts, strategy, technology.....
If you are on a board or aspiring to serve on one, you would know the name Susan Oliver. As a child, Susan was fascinated with construction sites and loved the smell of raw concrete. Her passion for the traditionally male-centric industry led her to be the first woman to graduate with a Bachelor in Building at the University of Melbourne. Her life has remained an exploration of risk-taking because being equally challenged and in awe of technology, science and big companies doing big things has not only kept her in the game, but leading the game.
Since 1996, Susan has been involved in the governance of global companies such as IFM Investors, Transurban Group, and the restructure of Centro Group. Her expertise is in rebuilding stakeholder trust and finding the potential in legacy assets, all whilst mapping a path for a company to succeed into an unknown future. Before joining boards, Susan enjoyed a long career in technology and futures consulting, culminating with leading the Commission for the Future for the Australian Government. The Honourable Barry Jones who is on the National Trust’s list of Australian Living Treasures, was pivotal to Susan’s journey — a mentor, inspiration and friend.
Close to Susan’s heart is a range of not-for-profit causes. She currently sits on the board of Melbourne Theatre Company, The Wheeler Centre and Melbourne Chamber Orchestra, and previously was governor and on the national board for The Smith Family. She helped to found The Big Issue in Australia, a fortnightly, independent magazine that is sold on the streets by homeless, marginalised and disadvantaged people, and co-founded Scale Investors to fund female led start-ups.
Hear from Susan why big companies need to stop reacting and start strategically and intelligently preparing for the dynamic world we live in.
Susan's current board roles include:
- Independent Member of Global Investment Committee for IFM Investors
- Advisory Board, Fishermans Bend
- Chair, The Wheeler Centre
- Founding Chair, Scale Investors
- Director, Melbourne Theatre Company
- Director, Melbourne Chamber Orchestra
- Judge, Entrepreneur of the Year
Claire Braund (host)
Further Information about Women on Boards (WOB)
