In a moment of well-deserved recognition, The Greek Herald named Varvara Athanasiou-Ioannou AM as the 2025 Woman of the Year — an honour that reflects her decades of tireless work in education, human resources, diversity and inclusion, and community leadership.
Migrating to Australia from Epirus at 19 without speaking a word of English, Varvara transformed personal adversity into purpose. From founding the Food for Thought Network Inc over two decades ago to spearheading the landmark Global Women and Hellenism Conference in Greece, her work has reached thousands.
In this exclusive interview, Varvara reflects on her journey, her vision for the future, and what this latest accolade means not just for her, but for every woman.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
My journey began when I migrated to Australia from Epirus at the age of 19, arriving in a country where I did not speak the language. That experience shaped my resilience and fuelled my passion for lifelong learning, leading to a fulfilling career spanning education, curriculum writing, consultancy, human resources, and university lecturing in diversity and inclusion.
Beyond my professional roles, my true passion has been empowering women and fostering connections. Over 24 years ago, I founded the Food for Thought Network Inc (FFTN), a community organisation run completely by volunteers, whom I want to thank and acknowledge. FFTN has provided a safety net, given voice to thousands of women, particularly those who have lost theirs. I have led 150+ events, established a Philosophy Café, provided empowerment awards for young women, and created an online platform fostering dialogue, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing among Greek women globally. My book, Her Voice: Greek Women and Their Friends, profiles 42 women’s diverse stories, showcasing the best of intersectionality, resilience and leadership.
During COVID, I launched the Greek Women and Friends Global Forum, which, together with Her Voice, became the catalyst for organising the Inaugural Global Women and Hellenism Conference in Greece 2-6 Sept 2024. This landmark event united thought leaders, scholars, and professionals from across the world to celebrate and elevate the contributions of Hellenic women. With media coverage in 50+ international publications, it inspired strategic initiatives, leading me to engage with Greek politicians and international diplomats to institutionalise women’s leadership in Hellenic affairs.
I have also contributed extensively to education, co-authoring the Greek Curriculum Project and over 60 children’s books for the Education Departments of Victoria and South Australia and designing and teaching University Courses relating to Diversity and Inclusion.
A cancer survivor, I share my time between Greece and Australia, leveraging online teaching technologies since 2013. My contributions have been widely recognised, including Greek Herald Woman of the Year Award (2025); Appointed Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (2024); GIWA Finalist, Social Responsibility (2023); Manningham Volunteer of the Year Award (2022); Swinburne University Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Excellence Award (2018); Victorian Honour Roll for Women and HACCI Award (2003); and International Teaching Fellowship (1993).
Through my work, I have shaped policies, empowered emerging leaders, and built global networks that transcend borders. My mission remains clear: to be a voice for the voiceless and to continue inspiring the next generation of women.
You migrated from Epirus, Greece, to Australia in 1972. How has your Greek heritage influenced your journey, both personally and professionally, and how do you see it shaping the next generation of Hellenic women in Australia?
Migrating to Australia at the age of 19 was both a challenging and transformative experience. Arriving in a country where I did not speak the language, I carried with me a strong and deeply rooted Greek identity. The unfamiliarity of my new surroundings only strengthened my determination to succeed. I immersed myself in learning English, attending every class I could find, with a dictionary as my constant companion.
I was fortunate that my parents had migrated to Australia two years earlier, building a foundation within the community. Their unwavering support and belief in education provided me with a home filled with love, encouragement, and a deep appreciation for learning. This journey of resilience and perseverance has shaped not only my personal and professional path but also my vision for the next generation of Hellenic women in Australia which I promote through everything that I do. I hope they continue to embrace their heritage while forging new opportunities, carrying forward the rich legacy of strength, adaptability, and ambition that defines our Greek spirit.
You’ve dedicated your career to education, human resources, and community leadership. What inspired you to focus on empowering women, and what have been some of the most rewarding moments in your journey?
Arriving in a new country at 19, without knowing the language or understanding the system, was a profound challenge. When you cannot communicate, you lose your voice. You make mistakes, you feel invisible, and in my case, I also faced bullying, bias, and discrimination. I nearly had a breakdown in 2000. But rather than let those experiences define me, I chose to transform them into something meaningful. After a year of research, I founded the Food for Thought Network (FFTN), a space where I not only found my true voice but also created a platform for hundreds of women to find theirs. This on a probono basis on top of a career, a husband and two kids.
Despite the obstacles, I embraced every opportunity that came my way. One of the defining moments early in my career was writing as part of a team the curriculum for the teaching of Greek in the state education system, inspired by real-life experiences. This led to the publication of curriculum guides for teachers from prep – year 8 and 60 illustrated books—one of my first proud milestones. Later, retraining in Human Resources and stepping into leadership roles allowed me to work toward removing and breaking down barriers for others. Designing and Teaching units relating to diversity and inclusion at Swinburne University, training managers and academics on how to build truly inclusive workplaces/classrooms, was both a privilege and a responsibility that I embraced with passion.
Through my university sessional lecturing, I found my wings. Through Food for Thought Network, I found my voice. And through every challenge, I discovered the power of resilience, gratitude, and the deep fulfillment of empowering others. My book HER VOICE: Greek Women and Their Friends entered uncharted waters giving voice to 42 women sharing their personal and professional stories in their own words, a blue print of showcasing the best of diversity and intersectionality, leadership and resilience.
Being named The Greek Herald’s Woman of the Year is a tremendous honour. What does this recognition mean to you, and how do you hope it will further your mission of gender equality and empowerment?
Being named The Greek Herald’s Woman of the Year is both a profound honour and a great responsibility. While awards serve as a recognition of one’s work, they also serve as a powerful reminder of the ongoing commitment required to drive meaningful change. For me, this award is not just a personal achievement—it is a tribute to the countless women and men whose voices, stories, and struggles have shaped my mission since I arrived in Australia half a century ago.
It strengthens my resolve to continue the work I began through Food for Thought Network and long before that, through forums such as the Modern Greek Teachers Association and other community groups. This recognition amplifies the message that gender equality and empowerment are not just ideals to strive for but urgent imperatives that require action, collaboration, and unwavering dedication. My hope is that it inspires others—especially the next generation of women—to step forward with confidence, knowing that their voices matter and their contributions can shape a more just and inclusive future.
You’ve said that true equality could take five generations to achieve. What key changes do you think need to happen in the coming years to accelerate progress for women, both within the Greek and Cypriot community and globally?
Achieving true equality is a long and complex journey—one that cannot be accomplished through legislation and policies alone. While these are important foundations, real change requires a profound cultural shift. This transformation must be driven by education, resources, and targeted programs designed for men, women, boys, and girls alike. One size does not fit all.
We cannot view gender equality as solely a women’s issue—it is a societal issue, a human right’s issue that demands collective action. Joining forces is essential. Each of us has a role to play in building a more inclusive world, whether through advocacy, leadership, or everyday actions that challenge bias and create opportunities and raising children to value difference.
Within the Greek and Cypriot communities and globally, we need to actively foster environments where both women and men can thrive. There are some encouraging examples of young 3rd generation women are playing a key role in reshaping the old organisations and or creating their own. By working together—across generations, communities, and sectors—we can accelerate progress and ensure that the next generations inherit a world that values equality not as an aspiration but as a reality.
What’s next for you, and what legacy do you hope to leave for the future?
Building Food for Thought Network and launching the Global Women and Hellenism Conference have been incredible milestones, but for true impact to last beyond my lifetime, we need to create a sustainable structure. Without serious funding, the progress we’ve made risks being temporary. My vision is to establish a structure and a fund that will provide grants, scholarships and empowerment awards—supporting both brilliant minds and underprivileged women who need opportunities to further their education, careers, and networks.
The challenge ahead is to secure the resources and governance structures needed to ensure that this work continues to grow and evolve. I want to leave behind more than just initiatives—I want to build a lasting legacy of empowerment, one that will continue to open doors for generations of women to come. My hope is that future leaders will take this mission even further, ensuring that Greek and Hellenic women worldwide have the support, connections, and recognition they deserve.
My mission is to continue building sustainable structures that will support, uplift, and inspire future generations of women, ensuring that our voices are heard and our contributions recognized on a global scale. I have had discussions with relevant politicians and international diplomats and it was heartening for the current Secretary General for Greeks Abroad, Mrs Maira Myrogianni to mention FFTN when launching the Greek government’s Strategic Plan for Greeks Abroad as a collaborator in implementation.
Is there anything else you’d like to say?
Driving cultural change requires an unwavering work ethic, passion, and determination. It demands resilience—especially when faced with resistance or criticism. One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned in leadership is the 80/20 rule. I also learned that the future belongs to those who dare, and who have their hearts in the right place and that collaboration is the key. Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive, knowing that the power of support and solidarity will propel us all toward a brighter future.
I choose to live with gratitude, passion, and a deep sense of urgency to do good. Change does not happen overnight, nor does it come without challenges. But what truly matters is our commitment to progress and lifting others along the way. My commitment through The Food for Thought Network has always been about impact, empowerment, and connection—and now with a renewed committee we are looking ahead to the future.
We are seeking sponsors, benefactors, and visionary partners who share our mission and want to help shape the next chapter. Your support will enable us to expand our reach, amplify women’s voices, and create lasting change.
As I said in my acceptance speech of the TGH Woman of the Year award, “This recognition is not just mine—it belongs to every woman who was told she couldn’t but did, to every man who has championed equality, and to every person who dares to challenge the status quo.”
If you believe in the power of women’s empowerment, community, mentorship, and preserving Hellenic identity, I invite you to stand with us. Let’s build something extraordinary—together.
