This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating the power of action—because real change happens when people come together and make it happen. The theme for IWD 2025 is ‘Accelerate Action’, a reminder that while progress has been made, there’s still a long way to go. At Eva, we believe in designing for the future—not just in the way we create furniture, but in the way we build a fairer, more inclusive world.

So, we sat down with our co-founder Amanda to chat about leadership, design, and the small (and big) ways we can all push things forward.

What does ‘Accelerate Action’ mean to you, both personally and for Eva?
Eva is only here because of our customers. Accelerating action means continuing to advocate for our customers in every design decision, making them the center of what we do. We aim to keep pushing for a more inclusive approach to thoughtful design, both internally and externally. 

Personally, it means identifying opportunities for fellow women wherever I can and being a cheerleader for people and their passions.

How does Eva champion gender equality in both design and business?
It’s no coincidence that Eva is a female name—that in itself is a strong statement, given that the Australian furniture industry is often dominated by male names (Nicks, Kings, Harveys). Internally, we strive for an even gender split at the management level. We are dedicated to ensuring an inclusive approach wherever possible.

Can you share a defining moment in your career that shaped how you approach leadership?
The COVID years were particularly trying for many, completely revolutionising the meaning of work and its impact on societal norms. Mental health came right to the forefront, and as a clinical neuropsychologist in my first career before Eva, I saw that despite the adversity we were all facing, the global recognition of mental health was a positive step forward in valuing humans as humans. Those years gave me the courage to be a more empathetic leader—many people were going through hardships and tough decisions. I strongly believe that it’s kinder to be honest (even if the brutal truth is hard to say) than to string things along, and I carry this belief into every leadership situation I find myself in.

What advice would you give to women who want to back themselves and make bold moves?
Find your people. I still struggle with imposter syndrome (I mean, neuropsychologist to furniture?—hello), but it helps to have a cofounder who is also your partner in life. You work through things together and support each other through it all. And then you realise—huh, I really did that, didn’t I?

In what ways can design be a force for positive change?
Design at Eva has always been about humans, and we believe that a home should grow with you. We love understanding what’s working and what’s not, and we take it as a challenge to improve the status quo. Take our Slideaway Sofa Bed as an example—it started with a simple idea: why not make a sofa bed look just as good as a main living room sofa? Especially in small spaces, where a second sofa isn’t always an option.

While homeownership rates between men and women are relatively equal, the pay gap can often influence the type of property they own, with more affordable and thus smaller housing being a common choice.

Designing versatile furniture that can grow with you is powerful. This is why we do what we do—thoughtful details like removable, washable covers that keep pieces with you for longer or no-tool assembly so you can easily move them from place to place. We want to make great design more accessible and continue driving positive change.

What everyday actions can we all take to move the needle on gender equality?
As a business, small things—like ensuring a flexible workplace—can go a long way. In Australia, child-rearing responsibilities (the thinking, planning, and coordinating of children’s activities is also work!) often fall on women. Providing flexibility for childcare, school pick-ups, and drop-offs may seem small, but it can have a significant impact.

This International Women’s Day, let’s keep the momentum going. Progress isn’t just about big statements—it’s in the everyday choices we make, the conversations we have, and the actions we take to build a more inclusive world.

At Eva, we’ll keep designing with purpose, championing thoughtful change, and backing the people who inspire us to do better. Because when we accelerate action together, real change happens.