• Comment: Lacks reliable sources that are independent of the subject. Also please remove external links within the body of the article. See WP:GNG for the quality of sources that are required to establish notability. GMH Melbourne (talk) 07:34, 24 April 2024 (UTC)

Hacia Atherton born November 29, 1987 is an Australian speaker, founder, CEO, and CPA who advocates for the application of courage and Positive Psychology for personal and professional success.[1] Her mission is focused on greater diversity in male-dominated business and trades sectors.[2]

Background

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Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Hacia comes from several generations of plumbers, one of whom established in 1889 what is now Atherton Healthcare, a manufacturer in infection control products for the hospital and medical industry, and another who founded the Master Plumbers and Mechanical Services Association of Australia.[3]

Her great, great, great grandfather is Sir Henry Parkes, known as the ‘Father of Federation’, in Australia.[4]

Equestrian Accident and Recovery

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In 2017, Atherton was dressage training to compete in the World Equestrian Games, and was accidentally crushed by her 600kg horse, breaking her pelvis.[5] After a 9-hour surgery she was told she may never walk again. In hospital for 6 months, Atherton undertook another 14 surgeries, then hours of weekly physio for several years.

During her recovery she studied with CPA Australia, worked in the family business, and began her speaking and courage coaching career. In 2021 Hacia participated in a charity run for children.[6]

Education

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Hacia completed year 12 in 2006 at Ruyton Girls School[7]. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) with Deakin University in 2017, and her CPA in 2020[8]. In 2023 Hacia obtained her Master’s Degree in Applied Positive Psychology, with the University of Melbourne.[9]

Early Career

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Hacia set up her own business, offering bookkeeping and administration services after finishing school, and held a financial planner role with AMP Financial Services from 2010-2011.[10]

Work and Career

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Hacia’s career encompasses roles in finance, leadership, entrepreneurship and motivational speaking.[1]

In 2020, she became founder and CEO of Hacia Atherton International Pty Ltd, and Empowered Women In Trades (EWIT), a charity and social enterprise which focused on increasing female representation in skilled trades.[11]

She also serves in additional advisory, committee and board roles with CPA Australia’s Emerging Leaders Network the Committee of Management for the School Broadcasting Network (SBN), and Real Time Learning Australia.[12]

Hacia continues to work closely with her family, and is current director and company secretary with her family's medical manufacturing company, Atherton.[13]

Achievements

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Hacia has been recognized by NYC Journal as one of The Top 30 Women Disruptors to Watch in 2021, in 2022 was named in the Top 30 Inspiring Women by Disruptor Magazine[14], and Insight Success put her in their Top 10 Influential Women Entrepreneur list[15]. She was the recipient of Best in Business 2024 via the Telstra Business Awards.[16]

Hacia also founded and launched the annual Empowered Women in Trades Awards in 2021.[17]

Public Speaking & Media

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Hacia’s life- and career-changing accident was showcased by Australian media and other press outlets.[18][19][5]

She’s appeared on The Project TV and Ticker News,[20] and has been featured by various media outlets including Channel 7, the Sydney Morning Herald[21], and News.com.au among others.

Hacia has addressed the Australian Inside Construction Expo, been an ambassador for the Sydney Build Expo in 2024, and been interviewed for multiple trade publications and podcasts for her insights and advocacy around gender equality.[22][23]

She is registered keynote speaker with Australia's ICMI Speaker’s Bureau.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Hacia Atherton - Hire Keynote and Guest Speaker". ICMI. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  2. ^ "An interview with Hacia Atherton". www.rmit.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  3. ^ Plumbers, Master. "Celebrating 130 years". Master Plumbers. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  4. ^ "Our Founder". Empowered Women In Trades. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  5. ^ a b "'I couldn't feel my legs': Young Aussie crushed under 600kg horse". 7NEWS. 2022-04-10. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  6. ^ "Australian woman Hacia Atherton survived being crushed by a 600kg horse". honey.nine.com.au. 2022-04-02. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  7. ^ "Ruyton Girls' School Kew - VCE Study Score Archive 2005". www.quppa.net. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  8. ^ "[Video] Deakin Alumni on LinkedIn: Alumni Story - Hacia Atherton". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  9. ^ University, La Trobe. "School Advisory Board". www.latrobe.edu.au. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  10. ^ "How Hacia Atherton CPA conquered the C-suite". INTHEBLACK. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  11. ^ "Powerful insights from successful humans". Maxme - We maximise human potential. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  12. ^ "School Broadcasting Network Inc (SBN) on LinkedIn: HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to SBN's Executive Committee Member Hacia Atherton…". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  13. ^ "About Us". Atherton. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  14. ^ Parker, Laura (2021-10-27). "Top 30 Inspiring Women To Look Out For In 2022". Disruptors Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  15. ^ "The 10 Most Influential Women Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2022". 2022-05-04. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  16. ^ "2024 alumni stories - Empowered Women in Trades - Telstra Best of Business Awards". Telstra. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  17. ^ "Empowered Women in Trades Announce EWIT Gala and Awards Evening". Conecta. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  18. ^ Allingham, Louise (2023-07-16). "Woman shares how she relearned how to walk after horse riding accident". Mail Online. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  19. ^ "WEDDING DAY MIRACLE 'MY FIGHT TO WALK DOWN THE AISLE!'". www.magzter.com. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  20. ^ Hacia Atherton full interview on Ticker News - living life to its fullest in chronic pain. Retrieved 2024-04-24 – via www.youtube.com.
  21. ^ Eder, Billie (2022-03-31). "Just 3% of tradies are women. Hacia is doing something about it". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  22. ^ Atherton, Hacia (2023-12-11). "Tools for change: Industry update from EWIT". The Tradie Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  23. ^ lifestyleva (2022-04-18). "The rise of women in trade: Guest starring Hacia Atherton, founder of Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT)". LifestyleTradie. Retrieved 2024-04-24.