Maria is undergoing the Master of Social Policy at the University of Melbourne and is a graduate from the Bachelor of Youth Work at Victoria University. She became involved with IYC as a youth reference group member and became inspired to further help the organisation via her studies to be a youth worker and later a social policy advisor and researcher.

Maria has authored with developing program concept plans for IYC regarding to boost the social capital of disadvantaged young people. She also has a keen interest in exploring the possibilities of young people living, studying, and participating in the northern peri-urban suburbs of Melbourne for IYC.

Maria also has been involved with other youth-based organisations such as Future Foundations, St. Joseph’s Learning Flexible Learning Centre, Young Workers Centre, and Young Campaigns. Most recently, she had been working in local government in Melbourne's west as a youth worker. Her acquired hands-on knowledge and energy to IYC comes from the intensive experience with advocating, facilitating, and mentoring for young people in those organisations.