Maria Said has been a member of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (AAA) since 1993. Her interest evolved when her second child was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening food allergy, asthma, eczema and allergic rhinitis. She became national President of the organisation in 1999 and continues to hold this title.

Maria is an advocate for individuals who live with allergic disease including those that live with the risk of anaphylaxis. She has presented on the management of allergic disease both nationally and internationally. She shares information to ultimately help improve the quality of life of people with allergic disease. Maria speaks on the consumer perspective, management of allergy and anaphylaxis in real life with individuals and those that care for/about them with teaching & health professionals, the food industry, federal and state government departments and the Australian community.

Maria is a member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA www.allergy.org.au) and holds a position on several working parties.  Maria has been co-chair of the National Allergy Strategy since it was launched in 2015 (www.nationalallergystrategy.org.au). She has also been a member of the TiARA Committee since its inception.  Maria hold positions on international committees including the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, World Allergy Organisation and the International Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Alliance.  Maria has co-authored several publications in medical and food industry journals. Maria, through A&AA, has worked closely with food industry in Australia, and has been instrumental in communicating consumer needs of food safety.

As CEO of A&AA, Maria been called on to provide expert advice to state coroners after deaths from food anaphylaxis.  She has forwarded numerous submissions to state coroners’ courts across Australia. The learnings from these investigation and inquests have assisted with improved care and education of those at risk of anaphylaxis.

Maria is a registered nurse with past experience in emergency and paediatric nursing.