Alexia Hilbertidou

Alexia Hilbertidou is a notable social entrepreneur from New Zealand, recognised for her role as the founder of GirlBoss NZ. At the young age of 16, she started the organisation in 2015, and it has now expanded to become the country’s largest organisation for young women, with over 17,500 members nationwide. The primary objective of GirlBoss NZ is to close the gender gap in male-dominated industries and to empower young women in leadership, entrepreneurship, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Hilbertidou has a mission to encourage women to take significant positions in various fields, particularly in boardrooms. She is also a renowned speaker and has shared her insights at important global conferences, such as the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women and One Young World. Her accomplishments have led her to share the stage with influential personalities such as Richard Branson, HRH Meghan Markle, and JK Rowling.

Alexia has received over 30 awards for her work, including the Queen’s Young Leader Award for Services to the Commonwealth, presented to her by Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace. She is the youngest Commonwealth citizen to receive this accolade. She has also been named the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Award Winner, 2020 Pacific Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and a finalist for World Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2020.

Under Hilbertidou’s leadership, GirlBoss NZ provides various programmes, including a 5-day corporate internship for young high school-aged women and the GirlBoss Awards to celebrate dynamic young women creating change. They also organise workshops and summits in over 100 high schools across New Zealand, Australia, and the Cook Islands. They have created New Zealand’s most comprehensive online career accelerator through GirlBoss Edge.

Alexia Hilbertidou’s journey from founding GirlBoss as a school project to becoming an influential advocate and entrepreneur is a testament to her dedication and impact in championing gender equality and empowering young women.