Sally-Ann Williams: Diversity in STEM, shared values in the boardroom, and governance at start-ups.

In this episode of the Boardroom Conversations podcast, host Sally-Ann Williams, CEO of Cicada Innovations and Chair of the Federal Government's Diversity in STEM Review, shares insights from her impressive career journey, which spans from Google to various board positions. She highlights the vital role that diverse perspectives and strong leadership play in boardrooms. Williams advocates for proactive problem-solving and a people-first approach, emphasizing the importance of selecting board members based on their skills and interpersonal chemistry. She also discusses her efforts at Cicada to support deep tech start-ups while navigating today’s complex economic landscape. The conversation wraps up with a focus on her diversity review, underscoring the urgent need for measurable and accountable diversity and inclusion initiatives in organizations, with leaders taking responsibility for fostering inclusive environments.