"Our ultimate goal is to launch Australia’s first student-led impact fund, bridging the gap between syllabus and practice, enabling students whilst helping champion the next generation of impact focused companies."
What was your first job?
My first job was when I was 18, working for a sports streaming start-up Cluch TV. I was one of the first handful of employees of Cluch TV and got to see the business grow over my 23 months working there, while also at university.
My main roles included content operations, that being social media, highlights videos as well as some operational aspects to do with the more techy side with weekend sports.
When did you first discover the concept of Impact Investing?
My first real interaction with impact investing occurred quite recently. In early 2022 I transferred to Sydney University and joined some professional development societies. One of those was Sydney University Impact Investing Society (www.suiis.com.au).
From there I engaged with the society doing the Impact Fellowship a 6-week crash course which provides an overview of the Impact sphere, bridging the gap between education and practice. We had some speakers from different companies join us and present their views on all things Impact as well as teach us how they go about tackling challenges that they face!
Fast forward 21 months and I am now helping shape the society and working for the Impact Investment Summit.
What is your vision or what do you wish for?
My vision for the next 12 months for SUIIS is to continue the growth of the prior executive team in bringing impact to the forefront of students’ minds.
In addition to this, the team is working towards engaging the student body to grow our member base towards being one of the largest cross-disciplinarity student societies within the University of Sydney.
Our ultimate goal is to launch Australia’s first student-led impact fund, bridging the gap between syllabus and practice, enabling students whilst helping champion the next generation of impact focused companies. The fund hopes to both educate the next generation of investors and support the impact ecosystem from the earliest stages.
What’s one exciting initiate or development you and your team have in the pipeline?
Something exciting going on at SUIIS is building our partner network and implementing new programs. Notably this semester and in following semesters, SUIIS will be continuing the Impact Fellowship as well as implementing a women’s mentoring program, holding industry panels and workshops, as well as a career’s fair which hopes to bring impact to the forefront of students minds as a career avenue!
What advice would you give to someone get started in the impact space?
Probably the best and simplest advice I have received regarding work, university, and life in general is to ‘not be afraid and give it a shot’. Whether it be joining a society to learn about a topic which seems foreign to you, taking on a challenge or simply grabbing that coffee chat you might as well give it a shot! At the end of the day what’s the worst that can happen?
Anton can be reached at anton@suiis.com.au or on LinkedIn.