In a powerful shift for women in trades, Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) is gearing up to go international, taking Australia’s ambitious “30 by 30” mission—the push for 30 per cent female representation in skilled trades by 2030 – to Canada.
Leading this historic move is Hacia Atherton, recently recognised with a prestigious 40 Under 40 award for her visionary leadership. As EWIT’s new Chair and the first female CEO of a large plumbing company in Australia, Hacia is setting the pace for change across borders.
For Hacia, this journey is deeply personal. “Coming from a fifth-gen plumbing family, I’ve regularly been told women ‘can’t lead the boys’ club,” Hacia says. “And now we’re not just leading—we’re setting the standard on a world stage.”
With Canada jumping on board, EWIT’s impact now extends beyond Australia, showcasing the global momentum behind women in trades. Canada’s enthusiastic adoption of the 30 by 30 mission reflects a shared determination to create inclusive, diverse workplaces in traditionally male-dominated industries, proving that the push for change is universal.
Making moves
As Hacia transitions to Chair, Melinda Davis steps into the General Manager role for EWIT Australia. Melinda’s energy and dedication make her a natural fit for driving EWIT’s progress forward. “I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and the village we’re building. Alongside our phenomenal team, I’m excited to lead EWIT Australia into this next phase, as we continue to break down barriers for women in trades and create a culture for all humans to thrive,” said Melinda.
And Hacia’s role with EWIT is only part of her influence. She’s also making waves as the first woman to lead Reed Plumbing. “I’m thrilled to welcome Hacia as our CEO,” said Jon Reed, Founder of Reed Plumbing.
“Her track record as a leader and her deep-rooted passion for change are exactly what we need to propel Reed Plumbing forward.”
Reed Plumbing covers essential services from drain clearing and relining to advanced leak detection. With Hacia at the helm, the company is primed to set new standards in innovation, training, and inclusivity.
“As CEO of Reed Plumbing and Chair of EWIT, I’m excited to collaborate with both teams to drive real change,” Hacia added. “Together, we’ll make plumbing a respected career path for women, especially through programs in schools. The future is about a trade industry that celebrates diversity.”
With Hacia’s leadership at both Reed Plumbing and EWIT, Australia is showing that women can not only thrive, they can lead in spaces traditionally dominated by men.
EWIT’s co-designed approach blends recruitment, leadership training, and immersive experiences to attract and retain women in construction, manufacturing, and now new energy sectors. Underpinning all of this is a commitment to positive psychology and wellbeing, values that EWIT and Reed Plumbing live by.
There’s a sense of national pride that comes with watching Australia lead in this way.
As we share our 30 by 30 mission with Canada, we’re sending a clear message: the skilled trades can—and will—welcome diverse leadership, with women at the forefront.
As Hacia put it, “We’re building a new norm. What started as a vision for Australia is now a movement that reaches across borders. This is only the beginning.”