James Ostroburski OAM is an experienced banking executive & entrepreneur, with a significant interest in social responsibility and philanthropy.

Prior to founding Tyalla Capital, James spent 17 years working with some of the world’s leading private banks and lenders, as well as leading and investing in several successful start-ups across multiple sectors. This includes Kooyong Group (now Avant Finance), one of Australia’s leading specialist lenders for doctors, where James was the Founder, CEO and Managing Director between 2016 and 2023. Under his tenure, Kooyong Group provided over $2 billion dollars of lending, donated over $1.35 million dollars to Australian not-for-profits, and planted over 15,000 trees in partnership with Carbon Neutral Australia & Landcare Australia. James has also held leadership roles with Investec Bank, Grimsey Wealth and Credit Union Australia.

Through-out his career, James has taken on Chair, Director, Trustee and Governor roles for organisations he is passionate about – including Dancehouse Incorporated, Nexus Global Youth Summit, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, the Institute of Creative Health, the Jewish Museum of Australia, Bundanon Trust (appointed by former Attorney-General the Hon Mitchell Fifield), The Hope Fund and the Arts Centre Melbourne Foundation.

He is currently Chair of the James & Leo Ostroburski Foundation (2018-present), Deputy Chair of the Australian National Memorial Theatre Limited (2016-present) & Non-Executive Director of Carbon Positive Australia (2024-present). He serves as Chair of Carbon Positive Australia’s Revenue & Growth Committee (2025-present) and Member of the Audit & Risk Committee of the Australian National Memorial Theatre Limited (2020-present). James was appointed as an Ambassador for Australians for Mental Health in 2023.

In 2021, James was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for distinguished services to the community through philanthropy. In 2018 he was awarded a Medal of Commendation from the United Nations for exceptional service to the community.

James graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School. In 2008 he commenced a Bachelor of Business (Commercial Law) with Monash University, deferred. He also holds a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Finance from New York University (2017), Diploma in Financial Planning from TMG College Australia (2016), RG146 Tier 1 (Financial Planning) from Kaplan Australia (2010) and holds certification under the FIA Code Course with the Fundraising Institute of Australia (2025). He is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2020-present).