Nic Badings
Yvonne is in Pemba’s Transact team.
Prior to joining Pemba, Yvonne gained experience in investment banking and venture capital where most recently, she spent several years at Macquarie Capital advising on a number of notable public, private and cross-border transactions across the general industrials, financial sponsors and financial institutions space.
Yvonne holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Finance) from the University of New South Wales.
If you could have dinner with any three people in the world (past or present), who would they be and why?
Jackie Kennedy – a fashion icon and strong female figure. She would no doubt have some amazing insights and lessons to share on her experience living through some pivotal moments in history and how she navigated this so gracefully under the pressure of the public eye.
Warren Buffet – it would be a disservice to myself, particularly working in the industry that I do, to pass up on the opportunity to have dinner with arguably the greatest investor of all time. Like many others, I admire the accomplishments he has achieved through his simple, first-principles thinking which has gone on to leave a legacy in so many others’ approach to investing.
Hugh Grant – having him there would bring a great sense of nostalgia from the times I watched his feel-good rom-coms growing up. I love his dry humour and it would make for some entertaining conversation.
What is your top restaurant recommendation in Sydney?
My favourite restaurant is Sean’s, based in North Bondi in an intimate, beachfront setting. The menu is always changing to reflect what’s most in-season but I’ve never been disappointed by anything served. As an added bonus for the wine connoisseurs, it offers BYO.
What is a learning, either personally or professionally, that you took away from the Covid-19 Pandemic?
COVID was a reminder for me that human beings are relational beings. It gave me a new appreciation for how important social connection is in fostering well-being and your ability to maintain resilience in the face of turmoil or hardship. I’ve learnt to be mindful of taking the effort and time to connect – whether that be through spending physical time together or even a gesture as small as sending a text to check in.
If you could only travel back to the same holiday destination for the rest of your life, where would you pick and why?
At risk of being cliché, it would have to be Paris. It has the perfect blend of charm, culture and a rich culinary scene. Most of all, I believe nothing beats Parisian style. I may be cheating here, but it is also only a short three hour flight to the crystal-clear beaches in the Cyclades!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
“Like attracts like” – the energy and values you put out into the world and onto others will attract the same type of people, emotions and opportunities in return. This has encouraged me to practice gratitude, focus on the positives and to hold myself to a higher standard (whether that be in my education, work or relationship with my friends and family) in order to expect to receive the same.
Book recommendation: Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel – an interesting take on how building wealth and success is largely determined by human behaviour (rather than what you know) and also an element of luck and risk.
