Maria’s professional background was in Education, initially in the senior secondary sector, as Learning Area Head, Deputy Principal, and District Adviser. Maria served as President of Business Educators (BE) of Western Australia (WA) then of BE Australasia, the peak body for 11 professional teaching associations supporting teachers and lecturers of business, management, economics, accounting and related areas. For almost 20 years Maria worked in WA Education Policy, including K-12 Consultant and Principal Consultant for WA School Curriculum and Standards Authority, developing, monitoring and moderating standards for WA and the overseas schools and University colleges enrolled in WA’s accredited curriculum. Maria's Board experience includes Board Chair of a mental health support group, Even Keel Bipolar Disorder Association of WA Inc, and currently Board Secretary of the Vasto Club of WA Inc.
In Maria's 8 years as a Soroptimist, she has been a Club President, Club Program and Constitution Convenor and acted as a Club delegate at Federation conferences / meetings and SI Australia meetings. She attended the Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuala Lumpur and Tweed Heads Conferences and meetings in recent years. Maria is currently a member of the SI Australia Committee and the WA Region President. She served as Region Constitution Convenor and delegate. Maria is also Chair of the Western Australian Women’s Congress, a project initiated by the WA Region to bring the voice of peak women’s organisations directly to the Parliament. Maria is strongly committed to contributing to Soroptimist International’s work and says that becoming a member is one of the best decisions she’s made.