Rate My Professor Bianca Stawiarski

Bianca Stawiarski is an Adjunct Lecturer in the School of Management within the College of Business and Law at Adelaide University. A proud Badimia and Ukrainian woman living and working on Kaurna Country in South Australia, she brings decades of experience across government, community, business, and academia to her role. Currently a PhD candidate at Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, her research investigates community-led circular models for women's empowerment through Indigenous mental health and entrepreneurship. Stawiarski holds a Master of Counselling Practice, Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Studies, Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Diploma of Life Coaching, and certifications in Equine Assisted Psychotherapy, We Al-li trauma-integrated healing programs, Blue Knot Foundation complex trauma interventions, Aboriginal narrative practice, Wayapa practice, and various equestrian coaching qualifications. As a PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor and Mental Health Practitioner, she champions decolonising mental health by weaving First Nations knowledge systems, such as gudu-guduwa (coming together) and ngardi guwanda (deep listening), into therapeutic practices.

Stawiarski is the Founder and Managing Director of Warida Wholistic Wellness, an Indigenous-led social enterprise reimagining wellbeing, healing, and empowerment. Her publications include 'Gudu-Guduwa: Healing Disconnection Through Incorporating Bush and Animal-Assisted Therapies Into Therapeutic Practice: A First Nations Reflection' (Psychotherapy and Counselling Journal of Australia, 2024) and co-authorship of 'Indigenous Psychotherapy, COVID-19, and the Online Space: Yarning About Challenges and Opportunities' (2021). She has received prestigious awards such as the Silver Stevie Award for Social Change Maker of the Year (2023), Gold Women Changing the World Award for Social Enterprise (2023), Bronze Ausmumpreneur Awards for Indigenous Business Excellence and Wellness and Wellbeing (2022), Gold Global Business Mothers Awards (2021), and finalist in the 2024 Outstanding Leadership Awards SME Business Leader and Women Changing the World Global Awards Indigenous Business Leader. Serving as Convenor of the Leadership Group for the College of Indigenous Healing Practices at PACFA and Director on the Cancer Council SA board, she is a sought-after speaker, facilitator, guest lecturer, and trainer in health, counselling, psychology, nursing, and public health programs worldwide.