Stepping into governance:
Maddie’s OnBoard experience

6 March 2026

If Aotearoa wants more successful science-led ventures, we need to invest in the people who will lead them. That’s why KiwiNet supports opportunities like the OnBoard programme—creating pathways for future leaders like Dr Maddie White to step into the boardroom.

In 2025, while working at the Gillies McIndoe Research Institute, Maddie joined the OnBoard programme to gain a clearer understanding of how governance works in practice.

“I’ve loved being involved in lots of different aspects of the commercialisation space, from researcher to mentor,” she says. “This felt like a natural next step in my professional development.”

She was also motivated by a desire to see more diversity around board tables.

“You often see the same profiles around board tables. I’d love to see more diversity, particularly with more women and young people on boards. I think I have a unique perspective to offer.”

Through OnBoard, Maddie joined the KiwiNet Board as an observer. Watching discussions unfold gave her insight into how strategy, financial performance and risk are considered at a governance level.

“One of the biggest takeaways was seeing how people with different backgrounds interpret the same information in different ways. That diversity of thinking really helps shape decisions.”

She also gained practical skills through the programme’s workshops.

“The finance workshop was a crazy day; so fast-moving and fun! I learned so much about financial statements, budgets, and projections. Combined with observing on the board, it really helped me understand how financials inform strategic decisions.”

The experience also clarified the distinction between governance and management, something Maddie says was reinforced by the support and guidance of Board Chair Katherine Sandford.

“Learning how to frame issues at a board level, rather than jumping straight to operational detail, was incredibly useful. Katherine was a great mentor and helped shift how I think about things from a governance perspective.”

Since joining the programme, Maddie has gone on to co-found and lead LabMates, a platform for scientists to grow their careers, while continuing to work with startups in the commercialisation sector.

She says the experience is already influencing how she communicates strategically and how she thinks about governance in her own ventures.

“I could definitely see myself on a startup board in the future. But even if I don’t, this experience sets you up for when you go on your own venture. You have a better idea of what good governance looks like, how to get the right people in place, and how to make it work effectively.”

For Maddie, programmes like OnBoard matter because they build confidence and capability across the ecosystem.

“It’s an incredibly valuable experience because you get to understand what good governance looks like in a very low risk environment,” she concludes.

“I’d like to see more researchers in the commercial space take up opportunities like this, particularly the young ones.”