Rachel Condos-Fields is the CEO and Founder of the WattleNest. She has always believed in the power of sport to connect and unite communities. Over the years, she heard numerous stories of hidden hardship within the athlete community, and she realized that many talented athletes faced financial barriers that prevented them from representing Australia on the international stage. This realization drove her to take action, and she founded WattleNest with the mission to provide support and remove obstacles for athletes who dream of competing at the highest level. At EliteX, we are proud to have Rachel Condos-Fields as part of the edition: 10 Elite Businesswomen in Australia, 2025.
Rachel Condos-Fields | CEO and Founder | WattleNest
As a business leader, Rachel believes that curiosity, compassion, and courage are essential qualities for making a meaningful impact. She understands that leadership requires setting high standards and making tough decisions. For her, the right decision is often the hardest one, but it is necessary for long-term success and the well-being of the community she serves.
“Empathy is not a soft skill—it’s a critical business strategy.”
Rachel has faced significant challenges in her career, one of the biggest being the transition from working in a large organization with a $10 billion market capitalization to leading a startup with limited resources. For 18 years, she was part of a well-established system with access to extensive teams and budgets. Moving into a startup environment meant adapting to an entirely different way of working—taking on multiple roles, building systems from scratch, and making strategic decisions with fewer resources. At times, this shift was lonely and overwhelming, but she overcame it by using the skills she had gained in the corporate world. She adopted a hands-on approach, embraced innovation, and remained focused on her mission. Celebrating small wins along the way helped her stay motivated and committed to making a difference.
One of the biggest lessons Rachel has learned as a business leader is the importance of adaptability and resilience, especially in times of change. She also values empathy as a critical leadership skill. Many underestimate the power of empathy, but she sees it as a key strategy for business success. Leaders who listen, show understanding, and align with stakeholder values foster innovation, loyalty, and long-term impact. The work Rachel has done through WattleNest has made a significant difference in the Oceania region. The organization has built a strong community of over 160 athletes, and seeing 37 of them represent Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games was a proud moment for her. It served as a powerful reminder of the impact WattleNest has made and how sports can transform lives.
Running a business in Oceania comes with unique challenges. The available funding for sports is much smaller compared to larger markets with higher levels of sponsorship and investment. However, the region also has a strong sense of community and a deep focus on corporate responsibility, which provides opportunities for meaningful collaborations and sustainable growth. One of Rachel’s proudest achievements is receiving global recognition as a female trailblazer in the sports industry. She was honored with an award presented by the Duchess of York, a moment that validated her hard work and dedication to supporting athletes.
“Leadership is a journey, not a destination.”
Keeping a team motivated and engaged is crucial for any leader, and Rachel ensures this by fostering a strong sense of purpose within her team. When people understand how their work contributes to a bigger vision, they feel more motivated. She prioritizes communication, transparency, and recognition, ensuring that everyone’s contributions are valued. She also believes in investing in personal growth and providing autonomy, as employees are most engaged when they feel their voices matter and their ideas lead to meaningful change. Creating a supportive and appreciative work environment is key to maintaining motivation and success.
Rachel believes that certain skills are essential for business leaders today. Emotional intelligence, including self-awareness and empathy, is crucial for building strong relationships and leading effectively. Strategic thinking is another important skill, as leaders must be able to see the bigger picture and anticipate challenges before they arise.
Setbacks and failures are inevitable in any business, but Rachel handles them with a structured approach. She first acknowledges and assesses the situation, ensuring she understands what went wrong rather than avoiding the problem. Maintaining composure and staying positive helps her lead her team through difficult times. She then develops a recovery plan, learns from the experience, and adapts accordingly. By keeping a long-term vision in mind, she ensures that setbacks do not derail her mission but instead become learning opportunities for growth and improvement.
For young people aspiring to become business leaders, Rachel’s advice is to embrace continuous learning. Leadership is a journey, not a destination, and challenges should be seen as opportunities for growth. Seeking feedback and learning from failures are essential steps in becoming a strong leader. She also emphasizes the importance of trust, as earning the respect and confidence of others is key to success. Ensuring that her business remains sustainable and socially responsible is one of Rachel’s top priorities. WattleNest is built on the foundation of making a positive impact in the community and creating opportunities by removing financial barriers for athletes. Social responsibility is deeply embedded in the organization’s purpose, making sustainability a natural part of its mission.
“The right decision is most often the hardest decision.”
Looking ahead, Rachel has ambitious goals for WattleNest over the next five years. She envisions a future where affordability is no longer a barrier for anyone who wants to participate in sports. Her dream is to create a strong pipeline of Olympians and Paralympians supported by WattleNest, ensuring that talent and determination—not financial limitations—determine an athlete’s success. For Rachel, success as a business leader is defined by the ability to inspire, empower, and drive meaningful impact while navigating challenges with resilience and integrity. Achieving set goals is important, but making a real difference in people’s lives is what truly defines success in leadership.