General Manager Advocacy and Engagement, Vision Australia

Maryanne leads Vision Australia’s Advocacy and Engagement Department which is responsible for: Government Relations and Policy, Advocacy, Client Consultation and Engagement, Communications and Marketing. The fifth element of the department includes Maryanne’s work as Immediate Past President of the WBU and fostering and developing relationships and collaborations with similar organisations worldwide.

Maryanne is blind and has been all of her life. She has 4 children, one of whom is vision impaired. She was employed in the information technology industry for many years before moving into the community sector. Prior to her current role at Vision Australia, Maryanne was the inaugural CEO of the Australian Federation of Disability Organisations from 2004 – 2007. Prior to that, she spent four years as the Executive Officer of Blind Citizens Australia.

Maryanne has held a range of positions on community, local, state, national and international boards and committees for more than 25 years. Currently, her major involvements include being: A Board member of the Australian Pacific Islands Disability Support, a Board member of The Australian Blindness Forum, a member of Australia’s National People with Disabilities and Carers Council, a Board member of the Victorian Disabilities Board, Board member of the WBU and she has recently been elected as the next Chair of the International Disability Alliance commencing 1 July 2014.