Q&A

Female fundies: Meet Zeljka Black, Equities Analyst, Australian Ethical

Zeljka Black is an Equities Analyst at Australian Ethical, which entails undertaking company and industry research, valuation models, and making investment recommendations. Zeljka shares her career journey and what she loves about investment management.

Zeljka is also a mentor with our YourEDGE mentoring and advocacy program.

Tell us a little about yourself and your early career

I’m from Sydney. I studied a Bachelor of Mathematics and Finance at University of Technology Sydney, then post-graduate studies at CFA Institute – CFA Charterholder, and FINSIA – Graduate Diploma of Applied Finance and Investment.

My first job was at MMI on their Graduate program, after which I joined the asset management team and never looked back!

What do you love about investment management?

I love investing and the dynamic nature of markets, and I love my role at Australian Ethical.

What are the biggest challenges you face in your current role, and how do you overcome them?

Switching off from thinking about stocks and the portfolio. I find reading fiction novels and spending time with family and friends are great ways to switch off!

What are your most significant career accomplishments or highlights?

There are numerous buy and sell decisions/recommendations I have made that have lasting impact – and through each of them I have learned lessons to apply to my future investment decisions, and this is the value of experience.

What would you say are the key elements to your career success?

Hard work, enjoyment/passion for the work I do, mentors/role models.

Do you feel there are barriers to women entering or progressing in the investment management industry?

I feel that there has been an increasing number of females in the investment management industry over time and an improved culture/working environment supportive of an increasingly diverse workforce.

I have seen flexible working help attract, retain, and promote women in front office investing, and I have benefited from this personally. A firm’s culture and ways of working has a large role to play.

How do you manage work/life balance in a demanding role?

I am clear about my personal and professional priorities. I have found it effective to set up a support network to help me manage these priorities.

What advice would you offer women pursuing a career in investments?

Back yourself! Do the work you need to do to gain conviction in your views, and then communicate them effectively.

Join us as we foster a generation of diverse fund managers

Find out more about our programs and stay in the loop with upcoming events and opportunities.