Alexia Hilbertidou
Alexia Hilbertidou | |
|---|---|
 Hilbertidou in 2024 | |
| Born | 10 February 1999 |
| Education | Albany Senior High School, Auckland |
| Occupation | Social Entrepreneur |
| Known for | GirlBoss New Zealand |
Alexia Hilbertidou (born 10 February 1999) is a New Zealand social entrepreneur and the founder of GirlBoss New Zealand, a social enterprise focusing on women's empowerment in leadership, entrepreneurship, and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).[1] As of 2024, GirlBoss New Zealand has attracted 17,500 members, with 1 in 5 of all high school-aged young women in New Zealand.[2]
Biography
Hilbertidou was born in Cyprus on 10 February 1999 and moved to New Zealand.[3] She is of Greek[3] and Samoan descent.[4]
Hilbertidou was raised in Kelston, West Auckland.[5] She was educated at Albany Senior High School, Auckland.
In 2015, Hilbertidou founded GirlBoss New Zealand as a way to encourage teenage girls to participate more fully in leadership, entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, and maths.[5] The organisation's programmes are offered free of charge.[6] As of 2024, GirlBoss New Zealand has attracted 17,500 members, with 1 in 5 of all high school-aged young women in New Zealand/Aotearoa.[2]
In July 2017, Hilbertidou was invited by NASA to board the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy's Boeing 747SP Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA) during an overnight exploratory mission.[7]
Hilbertidou is also a member of the Super Diverse Women Network led by New Zealand lawyer Mai Chen.[3] In 2019, Hilbertidou was appointed to the board of Simplicity, a philanthropic investment fund.[8] In 2022, Hilbertidou was appointed a Gender Equality Ambassador at Expo 2020 Dubai.[9][10]
Awards
- 2016 Young Leader Award, New Zealand Women of Influence Awards.[11]
- 2017 New Zealand’s first Eisenhower Youth Fellow.[12]
- 2018 Queen's Young Leader Award for her work founding GirlBoss New Zealand.[13][14]
- 2020 Finalist - World Young Entrepreneur of the Year, One Young World.[15]
- 2021 Forbes' 30 under 30 Asia list.[14]
- 2022 Pacific Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Pacific Business Trust.[16]
- 2024 The Diana Award.[4]
- 2025 Finalist - Young New Zealander of the Year Award.[17]
- AIMES Bellingham Wallace Emergent Talent Award.[18]
References
- ↑ "Growth spurt for GirlBoss New Zealand". Stuff. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- 1 2 "Leadership Network member breaking down gender barriers". Asia New Zealand Foundation. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Alexia Hilbertidou | Our Members". Super Diverse Women. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 October 2017.
- 1 2 Vailala, 'Alakihihifo. "Young Sāmoan woman honoured with prestigious UK award". PMN | Pacific Media Network. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- 1 2 Guthrie, As told to Fleur (27 August 2024). "Kiwi entrepreneur Alexia Hilbertidou reflects on her career success". Now to Love - New Zealand. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ↑ One Young World. (2020). Impact report 2020. https://www.oneyoungworld.com/sites/default/files/2021-04/2020-impact-report.pdf
- ↑ "Alexia Hilbertidou-- NASA SOFIA Experience | U.S. Embassy & Consulate in New Zealand". U.S. Embassy & Consulate in New Zealand. 30 August 2017. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ↑ "Simplicity announces new board members". Scoop News. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ↑ Release, Press. "Young women leaders celebrate and inspire at ChangemakeHER at Expo 2020 Dubai". www.zawya.com. Archived from the original on 30 May 2025. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ↑ Salian, Neesha (11 March 2022). "Women in business: Building an equal world". Retrieved 30 May 2025.
- ↑ Lin, Tao (11 October 2016). "Women of Influence winners announced". Stuff. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
- ↑ "Alexia Hilbertidou – Festival for the Future". Festival for the Future. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ↑ Mortimer, Jenni (28 June 2018). "The Kiwi teen who made the Queen laugh". The New Zealand Herald. ISSN 1170-0777. Archived from the original on 30 June 2018. Retrieved 30 June 2018.
- 1 2 "Alexia Hilbertidou". Forbes. Archived from the original on 12 July 2021. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
- ↑ "One Young World Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 - Shortlist Announced | One Young World". www.oneyoungworld.com. Archived from the original on 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ↑ "Winners Announced at the 2022 Pacific Business Trust Awards". pacificbusiness.co.nz. Archived from the original on 10 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ↑ "Finalists announced for 2025 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards". www.stuff.co.nz. Archived from the original on 25 February 2025. Retrieved 27 February 2025.
- ↑ "Alexia Hilbertidou". three dot dash. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.