Why Sydney Entrepreneur Aleesha Naxakis is Trading the Boardroom for a Purpose-Driven Crown
- Written by Times Media
Roselands local Aleesha Naxakis is on a mission to prove that life is a gift to be enjoyed, and she’s using the Australia Galaxy Pageants stage to spread that joy.
In the heart of south-west Sydney, a new kind of leader is emerging – one who is dedicated to a simple but powerful mission of spreading happiness and human connection.
Meet Aleesha Naxakis, the 28-year-old entrepreneur and business consultant recently crowned Ms. Roselands Galaxy 2026. This May, Aleesha will join nine other National Finalists in the Ms. division from across the country, representing New South Wales as she competes for the national title of Ms. Galaxy Australia. But for Aleesha, this journey is about far more than a glittering crown; it’s a vehicle for personal transformation and community service.
A Legacy of Joy
Aleesha’s journey to the pageant stage began on the dance floor, where she spent her youth mastering jazz, ballet, and tap dancing. These early years of performance evolved into a unique way to support her studies. Throughout high school and university, Aleesha spent her weekends as a children’s entertainer, bringing magic to thousands of birthday parties as a cast of beloved characters.
“Humanity is sacred to me,” Aleesha says. “The chances of us being here – of the Earth even existing – are so slim. We are on this beautiful, unlikely journey, and I want to leave a legacy of beauty, humour, and joy.”
After graduating from UNSW with a Bachelor of Arts and Business (majoring in French Studies and Marketing), Aleesha built a successful career in public relations, representing brands in a wide range of industries. Her entrepreneurial spirit eventually led her to launch her own consulting firm in 2023 and her own children’s entertainment business in 2024, proving that professional success and creative passion can go hand-in-hand.
Global Heart, Local Impact
For Aleesha, the transition into the world of Australia Galaxy Pageants was a natural extension of her professional and philanthropic life. Far from the "beauty pageant" stereotypes, the Galaxy system prioritises community service and personal development, two pillars Aleesha has lived by.
Aleesha is no stranger to representing Australia. Her passport tells the story of a woman dedicated to global citizenship and service, from working in wildlife conservation in South Africa in 2018 to teaching English to women and children in Nepal in 2020. An aspiring fluent polyglot, Aleesha is currently learning her fifth language, fuelled by a passion for culture, connection, and international travel.
Now, she is focusing that energy on her own backyard, volunteering her time and making donations at local community events in the lead up to the crowning in Autumn.
At the core of Aleesha’s campaign is her chosen platform: mental health and wellbeing. She has already raised over $800 – 80% of the way to her initial goal of $1000 – for batyr, a preventative mental health organisation for young people.batyr shares mental health knowledge and promotes the skills to get through tough times and look out for each other.
“My platform is mental health, but my niche is helping people realise that life on Earth is something to be enjoyed,” she explains. “I entertain kids for a living, and I want to help people find that sense of childlike wonder again. This pageant journey has already been so personally transformative because it requires you to be the most authentic, best version of yourself to inspire others.”
"That’s exactly what initially attracted me to the Australia Galaxy Pageants system, as well as the incredible sisterhood of ‘Galaxy Girls’,” she said.
The Road to the Title
The Australia Galaxy Pageants system, celebrating its 15-year Diamond Anniversary in 2026, has evolved into a powerhouse of female empowerment since its founding in 2011. The Ms. division challenges finalists in areas of interview, fashionwear, evening gown, swimwear, and photogenic ability.
In a nod to sustainability, this year’s "Eco Fashion" theme is Denim & Diamonds. Aleesha and her fellow finalists are tasked with sourcing outfits from secondhand stores like the Salvos and creatively upcycling them into runway-ready couture using recycled materials.
“I’m honoured to represent Roselands – the neighbourhood I grew up in and where I’ve spent the majority of my life – as well as the stunningly beautiful state of New South Wales. I would love to show that a modern titleholder is a woman who actively builds a brighter, more joyful community for everyone around her.”
If Aleesha takes home the national title this May, she will fly to the United States to represent Australia at the Galaxy International Pageant.
You can follow Aleesha’s journey on Instagram at www.instagram.com/
