Maree Overall Email & Phone Number

My professional career is embedded extensively in women’s health and gender equality. As CEO of EMILY’s List Australia I most recently had the privilege of leading the only national support network that assists progressive Labor women to get elected to federal, state and territory parliaments. Hooked from the first time I heard Joan Kirner speak at the launch in 1997, the determination to create positive change for women via representation and political advocacy has been my focus ever since. During the preparation of the HerStory exhibition as part of the 25th anniversary of ELA, we have been able to celebrate the impact the founding women had on increasing Labor women's representation from 14% to 52% in the Federal caucus by taking affirmative action, supporting women to get elected and implementing policies such as abortion law reform. Quota's work.Currently I have the privilege of working with women's organisations such as Djirra to realise their strategic and advocacy goals. All with the underlying goal of improving the lives of women and children. In 2021 I had the unique experience of job sharing as interim CEO role at Women’s Health East during the CEO’s long service leave. This provided a valuable insight into the impact on women, especially those working in health during the pandemic, and the importance of bilingual workers to provide critical information to the diverse cultural communities across Victoria. Previously I was Senior Advisor to Minister Fiona Richardson during the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, with responsibility for the development of the Strategy for the Prevention of Family Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women and for aspects relating to women's leadership, economic security, STEMM and health and well-being in preparation of Victoria's first Gender Equality Strategy. This followed a long stint in a small business of conference management focussing on the scientific association industry and an earlier 7-year post-doctoral career in research that involved public and political advocacy for medical research. This sprang from a PhD in Biochemistry from Monash University and a research career spanning infection and immunity, and developmental biology including childhood cancers, reproduction and fertility. The political has always been personal.