SafetyCulture taps chair of Tesla’s board of directors as KC-rooted scaleup eyes new growth phase
March 27, 2023 | Startland News Staff
Robyn Denholm brings a wealth of senior-level tech experience, leadership, and advocacy to SafetyCulture’s board of directors, the company said Monday, noting Denholm’s role as a leading voice calling for more diversity in the sector.
SafetyCulture, a $2.2 billion Australian scaleup, houses its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District, where it has been repeatedly voted one of the best places to work.
In addition to Denholm’s responsibilities as operating partner of Blackbird Ventures, Denholm is taking on the SafetyCulture role alongside her position as chair of the board of directors of Tesla.
She joins Luke Anear, CEO and founder of SafetyCulture, Jan Hammer, and Craig Tiley on the SafetyCulture board, and already has a close relationship with the SafetyCulture leadership team, having been an advisor since late 2021.
“I’m delighted to join the SafetyCulture board as the company looks towards its next phase of growth,” said Denholm. “What Luke and the team have already accomplished is remarkable, and I look forward to contributing to the next chapter of this incredible story.”
The company’s mobile-first operations platform leverages the power of human observation to identify issues and opportunities for businesses to improve every day. More than 70,000 organizations use SafetyCulture to perform checks, train staff, report issues, automate tasks and communicate fluidly.
Click here to learn more about SafetyCulture’s app-based team improvement products. Customers include the likes of JetBlue, Waldorf Astoria, and Lowe’s.
“SafetyCulture’s mission is something that aligns with my personal values,” said Denholm. “I’m a firm believer that technology is the key to unlocking a more sustainable and safer future and from what I’ve seen, if SafetyCulture continues to evolve its platform and products at the same rate, then it has the potential to change the way that people go about their work.”
Denholm fills a board position recently vacated by Rick Baker, co-founder and partner of Australia- and New Zealand-focused venture capital firm Blackbird, who has been a strategic advisor and SafetyCulture board member for the past 10 years.
“I’d like to thank Rick Baker for his contribution to SafetyCulture over the last decade,” said Anear. “I’m incredibly grateful to have met him and been on this journey with him. As one of our first investors, he has always believed in our potential and what we are trying to do. I can safely say that we wouldn’t be where we are today without him on our side.”
“At the same time, we’re thrilled to have someone of Robyn’s caliber on our board,” Anear continued. “Her expertise and guidance will help ensure we continue making sound strategic decisions and stay focused on achieving our mission. Robyn is also an incredible role model and the opportunity for our team to work closely with her is invaluable.”

2023 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Early childhood isn’t a money maker, but can be a money breaker: ECJC initiative links lack of child care to business’ bottom lines
Access to safe and affordable child care is an issue that should concern everyone, Judy Bumpus acknowledged. Research indicates the current capacity to provide child care within the Kansas City metro is only 45 percent, according to the director of client services for the Kansas City Women’s Business Center, with 80,000 children still needing childcare…
KC Black Owned’s fall summit returns this weekend with corporate backing, tools for Black entrepreneurs
A summit planned for Saturday at the Kansas City Convention Center aims to inspire Black business owners and equip them with the resources, strategies, and connections needed to thrive in today’s competitive marketplace. The Global Strategies Summit for Market Innovators — organized by KC Black Owned — is deeply rooted in its founder’s drive to…
This Midtown pizza shop sliced through challenges, topping years of popup work with grand opening
Orange By: Devoured — the flagship pizza shop from Jhy Coulter — is finally ready for the public, she said, after enduring years of pop-ups to keep the dream alive, renovations, and the closure of business lending platform Mainvest that took founders by surprise. “I am tired — I’m exhausted,” Coulter said with a laugh,…
Exited founders: Face the tough conversations first; avoid a messy post-honeymoon breakup
Preparing for an exit begins with co-founder alignment at the startup’s launch, three veteran Kansas City founders agreed. “You are getting married to your founders,” explained Tony Caudill, who co-founded two tech startups with his best friend — including aware3, which was acquired in 2018 by Nelnet. “Just like when you find your mate of…


