Alexia Hilbertidou
New Zealand social entrepreneur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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]
Alexia Hilbertidou | |
|---|---|
Hilbertidou in 2024 | |
| Born | 10 February 1999 |
| Education | Albany Senior High School, Auckland |
| Occupation | Social Entrepreneur |
| Known for | GirlBoss New Zealand |
Biography
Hilbertidou was born in Cyprus on 10 February 1999 and moved to New Zealand.[3][failed verification] She is of Greek[3][non-primary source needed] and Samoan descent.[4]
Hilbertidou was raised in Kelston, West Auckland.[5][non-primary source needed] She was educated at Albany Senior High School, Auckland.[citation needed]
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][non-primary source needed] The organisation's programmes are offered free of charge.[6][failed verification] 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][non-primary source needed]
Hilbertidou is also a member of the Super Diverse Women Network led by New Zealand lawyer Mai Chen.[3][non-primary source needed] 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][non-primary source needed]
- 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][failed verification]
- 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][failed verification]