About Maria
Maria revels in exploring issues from multiple perspectives including those informed by lived experiences. Her extensive experience in conducting applied research with marginalised communities in Australia and Southeast Asia complements her empathic and sensitive approach. This is accompanied by Maria’s demonstrated ability to apply a practical and solutions-oriented approach to her work to deliver robust evaluation insights.
Much of Maria’s work has been focused on social policy aimed at supporting vulnerable families, children, and young people. She is experienced in program review and evaluation and is skilled at sensitively engaging stakeholders to produce rigorous evidence-based outcomes with a practical lens.
Being a country girl at heart, Maria loves being in nature and enjoys hiking and gardening. She likes to sew and enjoys giving life to pre-loved goods. Maria also enjoys escaping to other worlds, whether through a books or travel.
Experience | Highlights
Maria's recent work includes:
Supporting reforms in schools, specifically leading the evaluation of literacy assessment reforms and inclusive education programs to support diverse learners in schools as part of mental health and wellbeing reforms
Managing the evaluation of a range of investment programs supporting creative industries
Supporting early childhood education reforms, specifically developing data collection tools and monitoring frameworks to enhance participation of vulnerable cohorts in early childhood education
Leading the program review of state-based foster and kinship carer supports
Delivering a strategic advocacy project, focusing on advocacy pathways for children who are at risk of homelessness
Conducting evaluations of family violence reforms in community and school-based settings
Education | Accreditation | Boards
PhD (Anthropology)
Bachelor of Applied Science (Hons) (Public Health)
Diploma Project Management
Member of the AES (Australian Evaluation Society)
Partnership Brokerage Association Training (2021)
