Maria holds dual bachelor's degrees in Nursing and Arts, as well as a Master of Health Science from The University of Sydney. Her clinical career began with nursing roles at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Liverpool Hospital, and Sydney Private Hospital. Driven by a commitment to advancing cancer treatment, Maria transitioned to clinical research, where she has dedicated over 20 years to the field.

Maria has been a senior leadership team member at MIA for sixteen years. Maria led the clinical trials program; she grew the number of patients able to access clinical trials at MIA, opened the Institute’s first investigator-initiated drug trials, and established the Investigator Trials Team, which enables MIA to design and lead trials across Australia and internationally. Under her leadership, the clinical trials unit received the 2024 NSW Premier’s Award for Outstanding Cancer Research: Clinical Trials Unit of the Year.

As Director of Clinical Care, Maria identified a national gap in access to specialist melanoma nursing and secured federal funding to establish the National Melanoma Nurse Program across thirty positions nationally, together with Australia’s first advanced cancer nursing clinical outcomes research framework.

In December 2025 Maria was promoted to Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and in September 2026 the Board appointed her as Chief Executive Officer.