"Transport is the most complex industry I have ever worked in, but if you enjoy complexity, change and challenge then this is the industry for you. Three years in transport and logistics is like 10 years in any other sector - you get so many opportunities."
Current Positions
- Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Toll Group
- Director, Australian Logistics Council
Previous Positions
- General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Toll Group
- Global Vice President, Corporate Communications, Amcor
- Corporate Communications Manager, Amcor
- Senior Communications Manager, Telstra Digital
- Marketing Communications Manager, ANZ Bank
- Communications Manager, GE Capital
- Public Affairs Manager, Medibank
- Communications Advisor, Transport Accident Commission (TAC)
- Director, Driver Reviver Ltd
Career Snapshot
Zed Ivankovic is Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Toll Group. In this role, Zed leads engagement with Toll stakeholders overseeing global communications, government and industry affairs, media relations, employee engagement, digital, marketing and brand. Zed also heads Toll’s corporate community engagement.
Zed has more than 20 years’ experience in corporate affairs across the telecommunications, financial services, government, and manufacturing sectors.
Before joining Toll Group in 2016, Zed held senior corporate affairs roles at Telstra, GE Capital, ANZ Banking Group, Amcor and Medibank Private. Earlier in her career, Zed spent seven years in government service focused on transport.
Zed serves on the board of the Australian Logistics Council, contributing to improving the Australian supply chain, and a former director of Driver Reviver, focused on improving road safety in Australia.
Zed holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Political Science from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Arts (Communications) from RMIT University.
In her own words
When I meet new people and someone asks, ‘what do you do?’ I like to respond with: ‘I work in trucking,’ and enjoy watching their face as they reconcile the stereotype! I then explain that I work with a global transport company, pointing out that the clothes that they’re wearing were delivered by a transport operator, as well as the food in their pantries and fridges. Our value is omnipresent!
There is an immense opportunity to completely transform the narrative surrounding the transport industry and reposition the sector. We need to move away from the conjured stereotypes of a guy in a white singlet driving a truck, and toward the reality that the supply chain is a highly complex global ecosystem that connects, supports, and reimagines the world we live in. We also need to highlight our incredibly important role within our society and local communities. At Toll we’re proud of our purpose and the vital role we play – we connect the global economy, power trade, deliver vital medicines and food to communities, and export Australian produce to global market- to name but a few.
Another compelling aspect is the complexity of what we do in transport. The industry is undergoing a huge transformation as we leverage new technology, and we are constantly navigating the inherent unpredictability of our industry such as weather impacts. Natural disasters, and, most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic.
As an industry we are now turning our attention to our role in building a sustainable planet and reducing emissions. There are many interesting and rewarding projects to get involved in that will have an immense, reverberating impact on our planet. The industry really is undergoing an exciting evolution in sustainability as we explore renewable energy and there are major opportunities to leave your mark.
The supply chain is one of the oldest industries in the world and while historically it hasn’t been on the cutting edge of innovation, I think this is changing - we’re now going to see industry advancements accelerate at a much faster pace than it ever has.
Sidestep to fast-track
While it’s important to think long term when planning your career, I believe it is important to take some sidesteps before moving up, such as exploring different sectors or roles. It’s extremely valuable to spend time working in different industries as the diversity provides important breadth in experience and skills. It’s important to think long term and take ownership of your career.
One myth worth busting is that women can’t have good careers in transport. I don’t agree with that. My experience has been the complete opposite. The sector is very keen to increase diversity and there are huge opportunities for women in many areas – from operations to IT.
Transport is one of the most complex industries I have ever worked in. If you enjoy complexity, change and challenge then this is the industry for you. I always say three years in transport and logistics is like 10 years in any other sector - you get so many opportunities to learn and grow.
Celebrating our industry
What I love about transport is being part of a sector undergoing rapid transformation and change. Some of that is driven by external factors outside our control including COVID, and others are borne from the innovation mindset in the industry. The recent supply chain instability is fueling a rethink in almost every aspect of logistics to build in more resilience so that businesses and consumers have continuity and stability.
My vision for the next 5 years is...
…that our industry embraces continued innovation, leading advancements in technology such as automation, data analytics and AI. We will lead the revolution in sustainable transport, moving away from big diesel trucks to hydrogen or electric powered fleet, and even drones. The transport industry has a very exciting future- and it’s even more exciting to be a part of it.