Australian business women advocating for women in STEM
Hacia Atherton, born November 29, 1987 is an Australian CEO, CPA, founder and speaker, and is a recognized advocate for greater diversity in STEM and male-dominated business and trades sectors, through the charity and social enterprise, Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT), she established in 2020.[1][2] In 2021 she launched the annual EWIT Awards to champion women in trades professions and those that support them.[3]
Education and Career
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Born in Melbourne, to a family in the trades and manufacturing industries, Atherton holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) from Deakin University, and Masters in Applied Positive Psychology, from the University of Melbourne.[4][5]
While training to compete at the World Equestrian Games in dressage, in 2017 Atherton was accidentally crushed by her horse, and in the 6-month recovery and physiotherapy period to walk again, she gained her CPA Australia qualification and began her motivational speaking and coaching career, founding Hacia Atherton International in 2020.[6]
Recognition
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She was listed among the Top 30 Women Disruptors To Look Out For In by NYC Journal in 2021, named in the Top 30 Inspiring Women by Disruptor Magazine in 2021, and Insight Success included her in their Top 10 Influential Women Entrepreneur list.[7][8][9]
In 2024 she won a Telstra Business Award for Best in Business.[10]
Advocacy
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Atherton has been sought out to share her experiences and expertise via The Project TV[11], Ticker News[12], Channel 7[13], News.com.au[14], the Sydney Morning Herald[15], as well as multiple trades and industry publications.[16][17][18]
References
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^"About Us". Empowered Women In Trades. Retrieved 2025-01-30.