New York City Stevie Awards Women in Business: Eastern Suburbs businesswoman Kylie Hawker recognised

An eastern suburbs businesswoman has been recognised on the international stage – taking out a gong at a prestigious New York City awards ceremony. See her message for women in business.

Kylie Hawker, an eastern suburbs woman, who was named the Bronze winner for the Woman of the Year, Not for Profit in the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in the US.

An eastern suburb’s businesswoman has been recognised as part of the international Stevie Awards – searching for the business woman of the year.

“It was a pinch me moment,” the Rushcutters Bay resident told the Wentworth Courier.

The award ceremony, held at Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City, saw more than 1,600 entries across its 200 different categories, with Ms Hawker taking out third prize.

The Stevie Awards for Women in Business has been honouring the achievements of female executives, entrepreneurs and employees for two decades.

Kylie Hawker, a Rushcutters Bay resident, who was named the Bronze winner for the Woman of the Year, Not for Profit in the 20th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business in the US, Picture: Supplied.

Ms Hawker is the founder of Kylie Hawker Consulting, a board chair for Better Care Delivered (BCD), and a head of communications and corporate services for Australian Water Association.

“Every woman deserves a Voice, a seat at the table and to be heard regardless of where she lives: rural, remote or big city,” Ms Hawker said during her acceptance speech.

With more than 18 years’ experience in executive management and communications for organisations throughout the Asia Pacific region the eastern suburbs businesswoman said she was “passionate about supporting and empowering women”.

“Over my career, I’ve successfully built, developed and managed multicultural regional teams across Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan and India,” she said.

Formerly she lived in Singapore working for large firms but during a business trip to Thailand, she had a “light bulb” moment which made her realise corporate was not the place she wanted to work in – rather, she was destined for not-for-profit work.

“This put the wheels in motion to find a new opportunity that better aligned to my values and used my expertise to make a positive impact,” she said.

“If a girl from the Aussie bush can do it, you can do it too,” says Kylie Hawker, an Eastern Sydney local, Picture: Supplied.

“As chair of the board at BCD community care, I drive outcomes for aged care clients and people living with a disability. My role is voluntary and sees me work alongside 10 board members and the CEO to ensure we deliver exemplary customer service, world-class governance and staff wellbeing while balancing the financial needs of the organisation.”

As chair, Ms Hawker opened an industry-leading respite home in Menangle, which allows adults living with disabilities to experience a ‘holiday home’ getaway, equipped with in-house careers so they can relax and take time away.

Since opening in November 2022, the BCD respite home has welcomed over 52 customers and is booked out every weekend until March 2024.

In the next five years, Ms Hawker said, she sees herself as a CEO for a not for profit organisation, which focuses on health, education or environment.

“And also supporting and encouraging more women to take on a broad role,” she said.