SafetyCulture taps chair of Tesla’s board of directors as KC-rooted scaleup eyes new growth phase

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.

Robyn Denholm

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.

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“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.”

Luke Anear, SafetyCulture

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.”