AI & Data Board Director

Board leadership
for the AI era.

Bringing 25+ years of financial services expertise, deep AI and data knowledge, and proven board-level governance capability to non-executive director roles — where technology risk meets strategic oversight.

Board Enquiries Board Capability
Portia Cerny Portia Cerny GAICD
25+ Years financial services
30+ Board & C-suite AI briefings
Big 4 Former Partner, FS Risk
GAICD Company Directors graduate
About

Reshaping risk into a strategic asset.

Portia Cerny is one of Australia's most experienced AI, data, and risk leaders — a former Big 4 Partner with a 25-year track record across financial services, and a growing non-executive director career defined by genuine technical depth and independent thinking.

She brings to every board a rare combination: the ability to interrogate technology risk at a level most directors cannot, and the communication skills to translate that complexity into decisions the full board can own.

As Chair of the national AI Working Group at IIA Australia, Portia is actively shaping how Australian organisations govern AI — making her an asset on any board navigating digital transformation, data risk, or regulatory change.

Get in Touch

Leadership

Persuasive, inclusive leader with a genuine willingness to lead by example and drive consensus in complex environments.

Strategy

Formulates enterprise-wide AI and data strategies that connect board ambition to operational reality.

AI Expertise

Hands-on expertise across AI governance, prompt engineering, data science, BI, modelling, and cloud platforms.

Communication

Translates complex technical and regulatory concepts into clear, actionable language for boards and executives.

Board Capability

What Portia brings to the board table.

A graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), Portia currently serves as Audit Committee Chair at Bicycle NSW and as a Finance, Audit & Risk Committee member at Kambala. She is actively seeking NED roles where her expertise can strengthen board capability in AI governance, technology risk, data, and digital transformation.

AI & Technology Risk Oversight

Providing boards with the expertise to oversee AI adoption, technology risk, cyber risk, and digital transformation — translating complex technical risk into clear governance decisions that the full board can own and be accountable for.

Audit & Risk Committee

Experienced in audit and risk committee responsibilities, with knowledge of financial services regulation across APRA, ASIC, and AUSTRAC frameworks, and a forward view on emerging AI-specific regulation affecting boards.

Data Governance & Privacy

Board-level oversight of data governance, data privacy, and information management frameworks — essential capabilities as organisations navigate increasing data regulation, AI deployment, and stakeholder expectations around responsible data use.

Strategic Leadership

25+ years formulating strategy and delivering results across complex, regulated environments — with a track record of C-suite and board engagement at Australia's largest financial institutions across banking, insurance, and wealth management.

Current Board Roles
Bicycle NSW

Board Member · Audit Committee Chair

Current
Kambala

Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Member

Current
Board Enquiries
Speaking & Thought Leadership

Sharing expertise publicly.

IIA Australia — SOPAC Speaker — Internal Audit Conference Keynote speaker on AI governance and internal audit
2025 & 2026
InsurtechLive Artificial Intelligence Panel Facilitator Panel facilitation on AI in insurance
2024
IIA Australia Masterclass Generative AI for Internal Audit Masterclass presenter
2025
Regulation Asia APAC Regulatory Environment for GenAI Needs to Remain Flexible Contributor
Nov 2024
IIA Australia Chair — National AI Working Group Shaping the profession's response to AI risk and governance
Ongoing
Credentials

Professional qualifications.

GAICD Company Directors

Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

AICD ↗
PMIIA Internal Auditors Australia

Professional Member and Chair of the national AI Working Group

IIA Australia ↗
FAR Kambala

Finance, Audit & Risk Committee Member

Kambala ↗
NED Bicycle NSW

Board Member and Audit Committee Chair

Bicycle NSW ↗

Looking for consulting services?

Portia's AI strategy, data risk, and governance consulting practice operates through Cerny Black — a specialist advisory firm for boards and executives navigating the complexity of AI, data, and risk.

Visit Cerny Black ↗

Let's connect.

Whether you're looking for a board director with deep AI and technology expertise, a speaker for your next event, or simply want to connect — Portia would love to hear from you.

Send a Message LinkedIn ↗