Stefanie Costi is a 34-year-old lawyer, speaker, and writer, but above all, she is an advocate for workplace safety and inclusion. Having personally experienced bullying and harassment in the legal profession, Stefanie chose to speak out rather than stay silent, launching a movement that has since helped countless individuals navigate similar challenges.
Her advocacy has taken her to major conferences, universities, and legal summits, as well as Parliament, where her work was referenced in a 2024 speech by the NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Industrial Relations, Work Health and Safety, and Multiculturalism, Mark Buttigieg.
In April 2024, she launched Bona Fide Workplaces, a movement pushing for legislative change to address workplace bullying. You can sign the petition and share your story at www.bonafideworkplaces.com.
This International Women’s Day (IWD), Stefanie will be on the panel at The Greek Festival of Sydney’s ‘Hellenic Horizons’ event, supported by The Greek Herald. In this interview, she discusses her Greek-Cypriot roots, the impact of her activism, and how others can find the courage to speak out.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your heritage. How has your upbringing and heritage inspired your career path and life in general?
I grew up in a Greek-Cypriot family where family, hard work and doing the right thing were always at the core of everything we did. From a young age, I was taught to never back down when it came to standing up for what’s right, even when it wasn’t easy. That mindset has stuck with me and it is what drives me today as a lawyer.
Your journey from experiencing workplace bullying to becoming an advocate is inspiring. What personal turning point made you decide to step forward and fight for change?
The turning point for me came when I realised how common bullying and harassment was in the legal profession. After speaking to others, I found out many felt too scared to speak up because of their careers, money and job security. I could not ignore how many people in my profession and elsewhere were quietly suffering. That’s when I knew I had to speak out, not just for myself, but for everyone else going through the same thing.
What were some of the biggest personal or professional hurdles you faced after speaking out, and how did you navigate them?
After speaking out, one of the biggest hurdles I faced was the fear of what would come next. It was hard to know how others would perceive me, and there was a lot of uncertainty. Professionally, there was the challenge of potentially jeopardising my career but I knew I couldn’t put my integrity aside for the sake of comfort. Navigating those hurdles meant leaning on the people who believed in me, trusting my values and keeping my eye on the bigger picture: creating a positive change for myself and others.
What was the response from your family, friends and colleagues after you spoke out?
The response was overwhelmingly supportive. My family, friends and colleagues rallied around me and showed nothing but understanding and encouragement. Their support made a huge difference and I’ll always be grateful for it. It reminded me that, even when things feel tough, having a solid support system makes all the difference. The people who matter will always stand by you when you make the right choices.
What has been the most rewarding part of your advocacy journey so far, and how has it changed your perspective on resilience and leadership?
The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing the impact on others. Knowing that my decision to speak out has helped others feel empowered to do the same is incredibly fulfilling.
What advice would you offer to women currently experiencing workplace bullying, particularly those who may feel apprehensive about speaking out due to potential career repercussions?
Going to work is a choice. Putting up with mistreatment is also a choice for money, validation, career progression or anything else. Work should add to your life not drain it. Your wellbeing and mental health should always come first.
This year’s International Women’s Day theme, ‘March Forward,’ emphasises progress and empowerment. How do you see this theme aligning with your work as an anti-bullying lawyer?
“March Forward” is a theme that really resonates with me because it’s all about taking action and not remaining trapped in a system that isn’t working. This is exactly the kind of change I’m committed to driving as an anti-bullying lawyer. My work is all about helping individuals break down barriers, stand up from themselves and move forward from toxic and harmful environments.
What can people expect from you at the upcoming IWD event by the Greek Festival of Sydney, supported by The Greek Herald?
At the IWD event, you can expect me to be raw and real. I’m not about sugarcoating things. I’ll talk about the hard truths of what it’s like to experience bullying, what it took to speak out and why we need to be brave enough to make noise. But most importantly, I’ll be sharing how we all have the power to create change, even when it feels like we’re up against the world.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of workplace culture, and how can we ensure lasting change in how bullying and harassment are addressed?
I envision a future where workplaces are a place of respect and empowerment, not fear. It’s going to take all of us – leaders, employees, HR departments – facing the uncomfortable truths, holding each other accountable and committing to building a culture where bullying is not tolerated. We need policies that do more than just check a box. We need real systems of support, education and action.
Stefanie will be speaking on a panel at an International Women’s Day event at The Grand Roxy in Brighton-Le-Sands, Sydney on Sunday, March 16, 2025 from 3.30pm. The event is presented by The Greek Festival of Sydney, supported by The Greek Herald.
Event Details:
- Event: Hellenic Horizons: Greek Women Leading the Path to Progress
- Date: Sunday, March 16, 2025
- Time: 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Venue: The Grand Roxy | Reef Room (Bayside Plaza, 128 The Grand Parade, Brighton-Le-Sands NSW 2216)
- Register to attend the event here.
