A board advisor who speaks marketing and tech
Board advisor for marketing, technology and AI, based in Wollongong and working with boards and leadership teams across NSW. Most boards have finance, legal and operations covered. Then someone proposes a $300k CRM project or an "AI strategy" and the room goes quiet. I'm the person who asks the questions that save the money.
The board signs off on technology it can't really judge
Marketing and technology now drive a big share of spend and risk in most organisations. Yet they're often the areas the board is least equipped to question.
So the board relies on management, vendors and agencies to tell it what's needed. Sometimes they're right. Sometimes the business ends up with a platform that's three sizes too big, a website rebuild that solves nothing, or staff using AI tools with client data and no policy in sight. Nobody meant for it to happen. Nobody in the room was positioned to catch it.
- Large software projects approved on a vendor's slide deck.
- Marketing reports full of activity, with no line of sight to revenue.
- No AI policy, while staff are already using AI every day.
- Digital and data risk sitting off the risk register entirely.
- Management asking for budget the board can't properly test.
- Strategy papers that mention "digital transformation" and nothing specific.
Independent advice at the top table
Advisory work is about judgement, not hours. I bring a practitioner's view of marketing, systems and AI to the decisions that matter, and stay out of management's way on the rest.
Board and advisory board seats
A standing seat on your board or advisory board, covering marketing, technology, data and AI. Meeting prep, attendance and follow-up included.
Investment review
Independent review of major technology, CRM, website or marketing spend before it's approved. Is it needed, is it priced fairly, what could go wrong?
AI governance
An AI policy, risk view and approved-use framework your board can stand behind. Practical enough that staff follow it, firm enough to protect client data.
Marketing accountability
The right measures for the board pack, so marketing reports on pipeline and revenue, not impressions. Plus the questions to ask when the numbers move.
CEO and leadership advisor
A sounding board for the CEO or GM between meetings. Talk through a hire, a vendor, a campaign or a system decision with someone who's not selling anything.
Strategy sessions
Facilitated board or leadership sessions on digital, marketing or AI strategy. One focused meeting that ends with decisions, not a list of ideas.
Board and advisory fees
All prices AUD. No GST is added. Formal director appointments are discussed case by case.
| Option | What's included | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Single board or strategy meeting | Paper review, preparation, attendance and a written summary of recommendations | $1,500 |
| Problem-Solving Session | 90 minutes with the CEO or leadership team on one decision | $650 |
| Ongoing advisory | Monthly board or advisory meeting, papers reviewed, plus CEO access between meetings | From $2,500/month |
| Advisory hour | Ad hoc advice on a decision or proposal | $350/hour |
| Systems & Marketing Audit | Independent review of tools, data and marketing, with a ranked roadmap. 2 weeks. | $4,950 fixed |
Need hands-on leadership instead of oversight? See fractional CMO or the full pricing page.
Starting an advisory relationship
Conversation
A confidential chat with the chair or CEO about the organisation, the decisions ahead and where the board feels least confident.
Trial meeting
I join one board or strategy meeting at the single-meeting rate. You see how I work before committing to anything ongoing.
Terms
We agree the role, meeting rhythm, confidentiality and any conflicts. Simple written terms, reviewed annually.
Ongoing
Regular meetings, papers reviewed in advance, and a direct line for the CEO when a marketing, systems or AI question can't wait.
The questions an advisor should be asking
Typical board situations, not client stories. Each is the kind of moment where the right question is worth more than the fee.
The big platform proposal
Management wants approval for a new CRM and marketing platform at $80,000 a year plus implementation. Questions I'd ask: what does the current system fail to do, who will own it, what's the data migration plan, and what does year three cost? Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it's a $9,500 fix to the system you already have.
The AI question nobody asked
Staff are already using ChatGPT with client documents. The board has no policy. A short AI use policy, an approved tools list and a risk register entry close the gap in weeks, before it becomes an incident.
The marketing board report
The board gets a page of website visits and social followers each month. It can't tell if marketing is working. Replacing it with enquiries, pipeline, win rate and cost per lead by channel gives directors something they can actually govern.
The not-for-profit stretch
A regional not-for-profit wants to modernise its donor database and website on a tight budget. An advisor helps it prioritise, avoid over-buying and sequence the work so each step funds or justifies the next.
A practitioner, not a theorist
I spend my working weeks building CRMs, connecting systems, running marketing and putting AI to work in real businesses. That's what I bring to the board table: a clear sense of what things actually cost, how long they really take and where they usually go wrong.
I'm direct. If a proposal doesn't stack up, I'll say so in the room, respectfully and with reasons. I'm also clear about the line between governance and management, and I don't try to run your marketing from the boardroom.
Based in Wollongong, I'm easy to get to for boards across Wollongong · Shellharbour · Kiama · Nowra and the Shoalhaven · Southern Highlands and in Sydney.
Good fit
- Private companies and family businesses with a board or advisory board
- Not-for-profits and member organisations facing technology decisions
- CEOs who want an independent sounding board on marketing and AI
- Boards that want an AI policy and governance view
Not a fit
- You want a name on the letterhead and nothing else
- You need someone to do the marketing work. That's fractional CMO.
- The organisation sells products or services that compete directly with my clients
Board advisory FAQs
What does a marketing and technology board advisor do?
A board advisor brings specialist knowledge to board decisions. In my case that's marketing, CRM and systems, data and AI. I review papers, ask questions on proposals, help set the right measures for the board pack and support the CEO between meetings. I don't manage the team.
How much does a board advisor cost?
Ongoing advisory starts from $2,500 a month, which typically covers a monthly meeting, paper review and CEO access between meetings. A single board or strategy meeting is $1,500. Ad hoc advice is $350 an hour.
What's the difference between an advisory board and a formal board seat?
An advisory board gives advice but has no legal authority or director duties. A formal board seat makes you a director with legal responsibilities. Most organisations start with an advisory arrangement. Formal appointments are discussed case by case.
Can you help us write an AI policy?
Yes. It's one of the most common requests. I can draft a practical AI use policy, an approved tools list and the risk view your board needs, then present it at a board meeting. For staff training on the policy, see workshops.
Do you work with not-for-profits?
Yes. Not-for-profits often face the same technology and marketing decisions as businesses, with tighter budgets and more scrutiny. Get in touch and we'll talk about what fits.
Do you only advise boards in the Illawarra?
No. I'm based in Wollongong, so boards in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands are easy to attend in person. I also work with boards in Sydney and across NSW, with a mix of in-person and online meetings.
How do you handle conflicts of interest?
I declare any potential conflict up front and step out of decisions where I could benefit, including any proposal that might lead to paid consulting work for me. That's written into the terms.
Useful reading for directors
Efficiency with AI
Where AI saves time, where it wastes money, and how to run a sensible pilot.
Read the guide GuideAI agents explained
What the words mean and what each option costs to build and run.
Read the guide GuideHow to win with systems
How to tell if your organisation has a tools problem or a process problem.
Read the guideIs your organisation ready for AI? Start with the free AI readiness checklist, or see AI and automation.
Add a sharper question to your board
Tell me about your board, the decisions coming up and where you feel least sure. Every enquiry is confidential. I'll reply within one business day.
- Practitioner view on marketing, systems and AI
- Trial with a single meeting first
- Clear terms and conflict rules
- Based in Wollongong, attending across NSW
Tell me about your board
I read every enquiry myself and reply within one business day.
Got it. Thanks.
I'll be in touch within one business day.