In Conversation: Claire Lanyon talks to Courtney Johnston & Teina Herzer on the Value of Serving on the National Digital Forum Board

Image created by ChatGPT under prompt ‘please cartoonise this photograph’ (original image is of NDF Board members and friends, attending NDF25 conference)

Serving on the National Digital Forum (NDF) board is both a commitment and an opportunity. This conversation highlights how the personal and professional journeys of those who serve on a Board can be shaped. I spoke with Courtney and Teina to hear their thoughts on what drew them in, what they’ve gained, and what advice they’d share with others thinking about board service.

Claire: I’d recently left Auckland Museum when they nominated me for the NDF Board, which was a real boost to my confidence. My new employer (University of Auckland) backed me too, which made it possible. I’d first connected with NDF not long after arriving in Aotearoa. I was new to the GLAM sector and feeling a little professionally lost after a deliberative move from EdTech into the museum world. NDF felt like finding a tribe — people who shared my passion for technology and innovation. So, when the opportunity to be nominated as a Board member came in 2019, it felt like a natural way to give back as well as stay connected to the wider GLAM sector.

Courtney: My path was a little different — I often say I was “volun-told” onto the Board by senior staff at the National Library. At the time, I wasn’t in a senior role, didn’t manage anyone, and had very little governance experience. But honestly, it was like strapping on a booster rocket. Suddenly I was exposed to strategy, to seeing how different leadership styles work, to collaborating in ways I’d never done before. It was like a crash course in leadership.

Teina: My motivation was very much about the people. Working in GLAM can be busy and siloed, so the chance to connect with a wider community was really appealing. I admired what NDF was achieving and thought I could contribute my skills in communication, brand, and strategy. More than anything, it was about building connections; creating spaces for inspiration, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration.

Claire: Yes! And the experience really broadened my understanding of how different organisations, especially government agencies, work. Responding to things like Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage’s Amplify preliminary strategy, as well as working on the development of a new Constitution, gave me insights I’d never have had otherwise. It also gave me confidence. I’ve loved convening the conference, serving as chair, and building relationships across the sector. After six years, my Board tenure concludes in November 2025, and I already know I’ll feel the NDF-shaped gap.

Courtney: I relate to that sense of growth. Being involved in conference programming and delivery opened up my networks, locally and internationally. It pushed me into public speaking and visibility in ways I would never have chosen for myself. And it sharpened my sense of how GLAMs connect, how government policy trickles down, and where our ethical responsibilities sit. My advice for anyone considering board service? Be prepared to work. This isn’t a symbolic role, it’s about making real decisions, prioritising resources, and putting in the time to maintain and grow membership.

Teina: I’d echo that. Serving on the Board gave me the chance to experience leadership and governance from many angles: board member, co-chair, chair, and later executive director. Each role had its own challenges and opportunities. For me, leadership is about being for the team and of the team: creating spaces where people feel supported to contribute and flourish. At NDF, that meant encouraging ambition and giving the community more ways to share ideas, experiments, and inspiration.

Digital often gets presented as complicated or intimidating. But at its heart, it’s a tool for connection and change — things that are central to leadership and governance. NDF’s focus on professional development and community reinforced how important it is to support leaders at all levels, to make the most of the opportunities technology can provide.

As we wrapped up our conversation, each of us summed up our NDF Board experience in just three words:

Claire: For me, the journey’s been inspiring, fulfilling, and full of personal growth.

Courtney: I’d say fun, enriching, and definitely a career boost.

Teina: And for me — fulfilling, connected, and elevating.

Our stories show, NDF Board service isn’t just about governance. It can be about boosting confidence, developing networks, professional growth, and being part of something meaningful — in-service to the cultural sector.

There are five Board member positions available in 2025. Click the link to learn how you can nominate candidates: https://www.ndf.org.nz/opportunities

Thank you to Article contributors:

Courtney Johnston — Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive — Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa (NDF Board member 2009–2011)

Teina Herzer — Communications, Digital and Design Specialist — Queensland Museum (NDF Board member 2019–25)

Claire Lanyon — Associate Director, Collections and Digital — Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland (NDF Board member 2019–25)