WELCOME TO 
INDIGENOUS BUSINESS AUSTRALIA
IBA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea, and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, to the Elders past, present, and emerging.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, names and voices of deceased people.

our executive

The Chief Executive Officer oversees the day-to-day administration of the organisation and is supported by the Executive Management team.

 

 

David Knights

Chief Executive Officer
David joined IBA in 2025 and brings more than 25 years of global, multi-industry experience across banking, superannuation, management consulting, and engineering. David is from Melbourne and has worked serving Indigenous communities for nearly two decades.

He has a Bachelor of Engineering, Masters of Business Administration and is a qualified banker, company director, company trustee, and executive coach.
His prior banking roles span across the personal, business, and institutional sectors, leading transformation to deliver sustainable outcomes in complex environments. His earlier career as a management consulting further shaped his strategic acumen and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

David is currently serving as a Non-Executive Director of the Traditional Credit Union, and previously as Chair of NAB Nominees Ltd and the Australian Custodial Services Association. These roles reflect his deep commitment to governance and financial stewardship, particularly in contexts aligned with Indigenous economic empowerment.                                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                 
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Photo of Sean Armistead

Sean Armistead

Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Sean’s traditional lands are located at Padthaway in South Australia from the extended Potaruwutj family of the Tatiara region and has worked serving Indigenous communities around Australia over the past decade.

Sean joined IBA in June 2020, he is an experienced executive in corporate, community and not for profit sectors. He has managed and delivered nationally award-winning programs impacting communities throughout Australia in collaboration with Federal and State governments resulting in the employment of more than 900 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and tens of millions of dollars procured through Indigenous businesses.

His community engagement involved co-founding CareerTrackers, and board membership across multiple foundations.  Sean is a member of the alumni council at the University of Melbourne.
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Photo of Faysal

Faysal Fassi

Executive Director, Products & Markets
Faysal Fassi joined IBA in 2016, bringing with him over 15 years of private sector experience across innovation, entrepreneurship, and executive leadership. Prior to IBA, he led a World Bank–supported tech incubator and later served as Customer Service Director for a major telecommunications provider.

An experienced entrepreneur, Faysal has co-founded several start-ups across four continents, including an award-winning venture in Europe.

Mr. Fassi is a Vincent Fairfax Fellow, holds a Master’s degree in Economy and Finance, is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and completed the Stanford Executive Program for Growing Companies.

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Jodi Stapleton

Chief Information & Technology Officer
Jodi joined IBA in 2023 and has more than 20 years of experience in technology and transformation. She has held senior roles within financial services in Canada and Australia. She has extensive experience in digital transformation, data & analytics, technology operations, cyber and risk management. Before joining IBA she worked within the mutual banking section as CTO at Newcastle Permanent, based in Newcastle.

Jodi has a Bachelor of Commerce, Masters of Information Technology and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is passionate about financial equality, the environment and in her spare time you can find her cycling and enjoying Newcastle beaches.

As Chief Information and Technology Officer, Jodi is responsible for providing technology and transformation delivery and support to IBA, aiming to ensure our customers and people are digitally enabled.

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Nathan Yuen

Acting General Counsel
As acting General Counsel, Nathan is responsible for providing legal support and services to IBA, and plays a key role in overseeing IBA’s governance.
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Dee Garcha

Chief Financial Officer
Dee joined IBA in 2022 and has almost 20 years’ experience in financial management roles for high growth complex organisations, with high-level expertise across industries both locally and overseas.

Dee is originally from Scotland with Indian descent. She moved to Australia in 2010 and lives in Brisbane.

She has a degree in Accounting & Finance, and is also a member of the UK and Australia-NZ Institutes of Chartered Accountants and is a graduate. of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As CFO, Dee is responsible for the financial management function of IBA, ensuring appropriate financial information is provided to its programs, Board and regulatory authorities in accordance with its governing legislation.
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