Better Boards Conference 2025
Master the Art of the Boardroom
25-26 July • Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Center
Presentation
Building the Bench: Succession Planning to Ensure Your Future Governance Superheroes
Melissa Macpherson
Managing Director, Govern for Purpose
After starting her career at KPMG, Melissa Macpherson worked for a decade in financial services before transitioning into the social purpose sector. Melissa brings over a decade of CEO leadership experience and is a trusted advisor to boards on leadership acquisition, structure and governance performance improvement for non-profit organisations and social enterprises. In her role as Managing Director at Govern for Purpose, Melissa brings her cross-sector knowledge and expertise to support purpose-led Boards on Board optimisation across, structure, strategy, risk, purpose and impact. Melissa is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow of the Centre for Sustainability Leadership, and has a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from the University of New South Wales.
Leadership transitions are critical moments that can define the trajectory of any organisation, particularly in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector, where purpose and continuity are paramount. Yet, succession planning—essential for ensuring stability, adaptability, and long-term impact—often struggles to secure the attention it deserves amid crowded board meeting agendas.
This session highlights the strategic importance of succession planning for Chairs, Non-Executive Directors (NEDs), and CEOs, offering practical frameworks and real-world insights to address this overlooked priority. Attendees will gain actionable strategies to embed succession planning into governance practices and create a seamless leadership pipeline aligned with organisational values and goals.
This session will empower boards to embrace succession planning as a strategic imperative, ensuring their organisation’s mission and impact remain strong and sustainable.
Master the art of the boardroom
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