Meet the members shaping our community - Natasha Hawker

Natasha Hawker is the Managing Director of Employee Matters and a leader in the Australian HR space. She is a sought-after speaker, author and media commentator. Natasha’s book “From Hire to Fire & Everything In Between” is an Amazon bestseller. A graduate of the Australian Company Directors course, Natasha leads the Employee Matters Group in helping business owners with every aspect of their people management. Employee Matters was a 2023 Telstra Best of Business Awards State Finalist.

Best advice you’ve ever received, and do you actually follow it?

Prolific rather than perfect – I have invested in a lot of professional development and I always have a go.

What’s (still) on your bucket list?

To go to Mexico, ever since I saw When a Man Loves A Woman with Meg Ryan and Andy Garcia.

What impact are you hoping to make through your work?

I want to mentor the next generation of female entrepreneurs so they don't make the same mistakes that I did.

Favourite local restaurant, and what are you ordering?

A local family favourite is Chez Maurice et Linda. It’s delicious and affordable French food.

If you could sit with any woman for a long lunch, who would it be and what would you ask?

I am a massive fan of Sam Mostyn, she is so eloquent and intelligent, and has broken down lots of ‘walls’ in her career to date. I would ask her to reflect on her career and what she wished she knew (or did) sooner.

What helps you get into your best work zone?

I love starting my day early with a game or two of squash; that early burst of adrenaline sets me up for the day.

You can only pack three things in your handbag. What’s coming with you?

Lipstick (can’t live without it), mobile and mints.

What book or podcast has made an impact on your business?

Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss, Tahl Raz. I went on and did one-on-one training with one of their Black Swans. Now I get much more of what I want.

What’s something people may be surprised to learn about you?

My husband proposed three weeks after we started dating. We were married within a year, and now have three kids and run Employee Matters together.

What are you excited about next?

PROJECT GEM: We’re aiming to grow our business ten times within three years. Ambitious, yes, unachievable: Absolutely not!