From Corporate Lawyer to CEO of Grameen Australia and Social Venture Capitalist with Kat Dunn
Oct 13, 2020
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Former corporate lawyer turned CEO of Grameen Australia and social venture capitalist, Kat Dunn, discusses her diverse career journey from law to impact investing. Topics include networking tips, future of microfinance, and transitioning between industries. Learn about her experiences at top law firms, starting a startup, and entering the world of venture capital with Cataliize.
Combining passion with impact is crucial in shaping a fulfilling career.
Navigating traditional career paths while following personal aspirations can be challenging.
Microfinance and venture capital play significant roles in driving social impact and innovation.
Deep dives
Introduction to Richard of Tastebagett and Podcast Overview
The podcast episode opens by introducing the listener to Richard, the owner of Tastebagett, a business serving lemongrass chicken baguettes and soy lattes near the law building at Sydney Uni. The hosts highlight the importance of recognizing dedicated listeners like Richard. They share their goal of spotlighting exceptional individuals or businesses suggested by their audience. The episode sets the stage for an exciting discussion with a guest, Kat, who brings a diverse background spanning law, venture capital, and social enterprises.
Kat's Law School Journey and Career Confusion
Kat reflects on her journey through law school, sharing her initial dilemma between following a financially secure path advised by her parents and her desire to pursue a career helping others. She discusses the challenges of navigating career expectations and finding her true calling, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal aspirations with external pressures. Kat's experience highlights the common struggle of students in shaping their career paths amidst uncertainties and societal influences.
Transition to Corporate Law at Clayton Oates
Kat delves into her experience working at Clayton Oates, a prestigious law firm, where she found opportunities to excel while facing internal conflict regarding her career trajectory. She discusses the rigorous training and high expectations prevalent in top-tier law firms, shedding light on the demanding yet rewarding aspects of working in such a competitive environment. Kat's narrative underscores the internal dissonance felt when personal goals diverge from traditional career paths, resonating with young professionals navigating their professional identities.
Venturing into Grameen Bank and Microfinance
Kat shares her impactful role as the CEO of Grameen Bank, an organization rooted in microfinance pioneered by Professor Mohammad Yunus. She elucidates the mission of Grameen in addressing poverty through innovative microfinance models, emphasizing the power of social collateral in empowering marginalized communities. Kat's insights shed light on the transformative impact of microfinance in uplifting individuals and fostering sustainable economic growth, showcasing the potential for financial inclusion to drive social change.
Exploring Venture Capital and Catalyze Platform
Kat delves into her foray into the world of venture capital through the Catalyze platform, revolutionizing traditional consulting by offering on-demand management expertise to startups. She discusses her role as the Chief Revenue Officer, highlighting the platform's unique approach of partnering with startups to drive growth and value creation. Kat's journey exemplifies the evolving landscape of venture capital, where collaborative models like Catalyze bridge the gap between startups and seasoned professionals, fostering innovation and sustainable growth.
This week we spoke to Kat Dunn who has had an amazing and diverse career. Kat started out in the corporate world, first working for top law firm Clayton Utz and then finding her way to working for an investment firm. After many years in corporate she was able to engage in her passion for social business when she became CEO of Grameen Bank Australia in 2018. After finishing up at Grameen she started working for the social venture capital firm Cataliize. We talk to Kat about these different experiences and what she's learned along the way. 2:10 Kat’s time at University and being president of the Australian Law Students Association 4:30 Combining impact and passion in your career 8:50 What it was like working at a top law firm 11:36 Following your intuition after university 16:30 Starting your own startp-up after uni 20:00 Following linear paths 22:45 The importance of strong relationships in your career 27:08 Best tips for networking & how it helped in Kats career 35:40 The future of Microfinance and companies like Grameen 40:45 Entering the world of venture capital with Cataliize 48:40 Final advice for students
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