ThincBoards: Get your business board ready.

Get your business board ready.

What is ThincBoards?

Welcome to ThincBoards, a 2-day intensive program that champions founders, advisors and directors on their journey of board readiness. 

This program aims to guide companies through proven processes and key learnings to prepare them for either their first steps into formation or evolutionary changes to their Company’s governance.

Download the information pack here.

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Meet the Industry Experts of ThincBoards

Sasha Baranikov, Managing Director, Steam Ventures Pty Ltd

During her career Sasha has been an active investor, Director and C-level in multiple entertainment and technology companies and she thrives on the challenge of building businesses. A self-made entrepreneur and growth strategist, her 17 years of global experience spans entertainment, gaming, telecommunications, space and technology industries. As Co-Founder of Internet provider Uniti Wireless Limited (ASX:UWL), she took the company to an ASX listing within < 5 years and in < 10 the Company sold for ~ $3.7 billion to a global asset management consortium.

Sasha's innate curiosity and passion for building continues as a Startmate mentor and Entrepreneur in Residence - Growth & Governance in our ThincLab Accelerator. As an investor and advisor to a number of exciting startups and established businesses, Sasha has an intimate understanding of the high, lows and challenges that a Founder can experience. She brings authenticity, care and a Founder Mindset to the table. 

It’s a both a privilege and thrill to now be able to join other Australian Founders on their journeys - these unwavering pursuits of vision, which through the continuous exploration of ideas and determined trial and error, push boundaries to create the new futures that lay ahead of us. 
In her spare time, Sasha enjoys spending time with her young family and channeling her creative energy into her Art series and some early stage tourism projects in the Adelaide Hills.

Elaine Stead, Managing Director, Human Venture Capital

Elaine Stead is a member of the investment team at Main Sequence, with a focus on the “Humanity Scale Healthcare” challenge. With a background spanning science, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, she's known for her enduring roles in innovation and has an investment track record that extends to over 80 startups across Australia, the United States and Southeast Asia.  
Previously, Elaine served as the Director of New Ventures and Entrepreneurship at the Australian National University (ANU), leading the startup and equity investment strategy of knowledge translation. She has also been a founder of venture businesses, including Blue Sky VC, Human VC and Tribe Global Ventures.
Elaine has advised state governments on innovation policy, directed innovation initiatives, and served on boards in Australia and the US. She's coached startup founders nationwide and contributed to a variety of publications. In all avenues, Elaine prioritises human-centricity, emphasising authentic connections, vulnerability, and compassion. She advocates for values-driven innovation and a desire to make better that which can be.
Elaine holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry (Stem Cell Biology) and a B.Sc.in Biochemistry and Microbiology, both from the University of Adelaide.

Sonia Mascolo, Partner, Bentleys

Sonia Mascolo – a Partner of Bentleys SA – has unique double-barrelled expertise as a qualified and experienced taxation lawyer and accountant. Her substantial cross-practice tax experience enables her to provide a high level of end-to-end solutions for clients. Throughout her career, Sonia has practiced as a taxation lawyer in a large Adelaide law firm, a tax accountant with a ‘Big 4’ and as a tax technical specialist with the Australian Taxation Office. From this diverse range of experience, Sonia can approach a tax matter holistically and pragmatically to give her clients a complete solution. Sonia has presented many technical presentations for the Tax Institute providing thought leadership and peer to peer expertise.

Justin Dry, Co-Founder & CEO, Vinomofo

Justin Dry is an Entrepreneur, Investor and Co-Founder + CEO of Vinomofo, one of Australia’s most awarded companies.

Launched in April 2011 from a little garage in Adelaide, Vinomofo has seen remarkable expansion, operating in both Australia and Singapore. This journey has transformed it into a $100m+ global company, establishing Vinomofo as the largest independent online wine retailer in the country, proudly serving a community of over 500,000 members.

The Vinomofo Group has recently made a number of acquisitions, including Australia’s leading Food and Wine events company REVEL Global.
On a personal note, Justin has been awarded as Spotify Young Entrepreneur of the Year at The Australian Startup Awards and named one of the Top 50 People in E-Commerce five times by Internet Retail
 

Alan Jones, Partner, M8 Ventures

Originally a tech reporter, then a producer for Microsoft’s Sidewalk, Alan Jones rose through the product ranks from Yahoo’s first product hire in Australia to become Product Director, South Asia.

After leaving Yahoo, he became co-founder and product head for HomeScreen Entertainment, backed by the Packer family’s CPH, and later acquired by Quickflix.

Now a startup founder mentor and tech investor, Alan co-hosts The Advisory Board, an advice show for startups, on Disrupt Radio, with Megan Flamer. He is a partner with M8 Ventures, and the chair of Catalysr, an entrepreneurship program focused on marginalised migrants and refugees.

Kate Thiele FAICD, Founder and Principal, Klarity 

Kate is a performance strategist and executive mentor.  She is an independent consultant, board and business advisor and strategic facilitator. As an award-winning CEO and non-executive director that values working in strategic environments, she enjoys navigating complexity and the bringing together of organisational growth, good governance and social values. 
A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, Kate brings significant Board, commercial and not-for-profit experience. She pairs this with a passion for people and improving performance. 
Kate supports organisations with governance requirements, strategic planning, change management, social policy development, and empowers individuals through ongoing mentorships with Chairs, CEOs and executive leaders seeking to enhance their performance, skills or careers.  

Course outcomes

Our goal is to provide participants with the knowledge and resources to effectively design and manage the most appropriate board for their business. Through a series of workshops and interactions with peers and mentors, insights are provided into effective advisor or director compositions and decision-making processes through optimised administration.

Participants are assisted in navigating their way through stage appropriate business governance considerations, from formation to re-construction, with particular regard to board engagement and ongoing management. Building your network during industry networking is an added benefit.

This program offers more than just board formation and management knowledge. The business strategy and analysis undertaken can be used to enhance business operations, fundraising efforts, and internal decision-making. Participation is the first step in understanding the power of good governance and its importance in achieving business success.

Our partner

ThincBoards is newest in the ThincLab program line-up launching through collaboration with Steam Ventures. An investment and business growth advisory, Steam is led by tech entrepreneur Sasha Baranikov. ThincLab, The University of Adelaide's incubator, offers knowledge-rich support to students, alumni, staff, and startups.

Program Leads: Sessions will be delivered by Sasha Baranikov. An entrepreneur, advisor and director Sasha was the Co-Founder of telco unicorn, Uniti Wireless, later Uniti Group (ASX:UWL). Program management is coordinated by the ThincLab Team.