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Biripi man Zane Pratt joined IBA as a trainee in 2019 before going full time in 2021 in the Investments & Asset Management team. Zane is also currently the Co-Chair of the Galambany Advisory Committee (IBA’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network) and works on Gadigal land in the Sydney office.
What was your journey? E.g., your studies or/and previous jobs.
I grew up on Dharawal country near Bundeena but eventually moved closer to live on campus in Ultimo while studying business at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). As part of the Jumbunna Institute for Indigenous Education and research at UTS, I came across an advert for IBA during my 2nd year of university. I ended up joining the IBA finance team as a trainee working a couple of days a week for 18 months or so. After working as a trainee, I decided I wanted to work at IBA full time and was offered a role in the Investments team.
Why is it important for you to work with mob?
Working with mob makes me feel connected and I always want to give back in any way I can. I have been fortunate growing up to have been given so many opportunities to learn and I really want to use that knowledge for positive change amongst community.
I still dedicate some of my time to tutoring at the Jumbunna Institute to share some of the things I’ve learned and encourage other First Nations people to get into this space. I want to be a role model and it’s so important to give back whenever you can.
What is your role within IBA? What is your favourite thing about your role?
I work as an Associate Analyst within the Direct Investments team, which invests back into community. We invest alongside Indigenous organisations in specific assets which generate financial and social returns.
I love working with numbers and knowing that I am doing meaningful things with them. I definitely have a logical brain which is why I’m so drawn to them.
I mentioned previously about wanting to be a role model and how important I think it is to be a role model to community. Indigenous employment in finance is quite low and I feel my job at IBA allows me to be a role model to community and show that there are opportunities for First Nations people in that field.
If you could hang out with anyone dead or alive, who would it be? Why?
It would be between my paternal grandmother since I never got the opportunity to speak with her or Bushrangers Captain Thunderbolt and Mary Ann Bugg, renowned for escaping Cockatoo Island and who I am a descendant of on my mother’s side of the family.
If I did get the chance, I would have a dinner party with all three of them. I believe that would be very interesting.
Where do you feel most connected?
I was born and raised as a Saltwater man and love being anywhere by the sea. I feel most connected to being out and about in the bush around my hometown of Maianbar.
