Freda is a proven leader, with 25 years of international development experience. She is a recognised strategist delivering effective business coalitions focused on women’s economic empowerment and provides strategic advice to private philanthropic foundations bringing transformative change to vulnerable communities around the world.
Co-founded Commonwealth Businesswomen (CBW) and this follows three years leading the International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International) as International President, an organisation she serves for over 20 years. Prior to this Freda spent two decades in progressively senior investment advisory roles in Australia, becoming one of the first female ASX trading operators and respected for her commentary on financial markets. She is a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FinSia) and Master Stockbroker with the Stockbrokers Association of Australia.
Freda built her career working with corporations, governments and NGOs advocating ethical business and trade opportunities. She holds key leadership roles in a number of influential global women’s business organisations and works closely with United Nations and Commonwealth bodies. Her advisory work has taken her to over 80 countries, speaking at high-level forums and building strong international networks that she has successfully galvanized to support the causes she champions.
A recognised advocate on women’s economic empowerment, Freda was invited to join the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group (WEPs LG) in 2010 and joined the judging panel for the WEPs CEO Leadership Awards.
Freda’s achievements were recognised in October 2016 when she was bestowed Life Membership of BPW Australia for her service and role as BPW International President. In 2019 Freda was named Kastellorizian of the Year, recognised for outstanding contribution to the Kastellorizian, Greek and Australian community; and in that same year, her significant contributions were honoured when endowed with the Woman of Influence Award by HACCI (Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce & Industry).
Specialties: Strategic Partnerships, Influencing Business and Government, Private Sector Engagement, Women’s Economic Empowerment, Gender Equality, Networking, Advocacy, Investment Management, Public Speaking.
