Maria said

Maria Said is the Chief Executive Officer of Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA). She is a Registered Nurse and Director of the National Allergy Council. In 2022 Maria was awarded the honour of Member of the Order of Australia for her tireless work in the field of allergy and anaphylaxis.

Maria has been a member of A&AA since 1993 when her son was diagnosed with severe atopy including food allergy. She became national President of the organisation in 1999 and CEO in 2012. Maria is an advocate for people who live with allergic disease, and those that care for them. She works to improve quality of life of those who live with allergic disease by collaborating with education and health professionals, food industry, government, and the community, and elevating the voice of those who live with allergy.

Maria is an associate member of the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA). She was appointed an Adjunct Research Fellow within the School of Allied Health, Pharmacy, of the University of Western Australia in 2019.

As CEO of A&AA, Maria has been called as an expert witness in several coronial inquests. The unfolding of these investigations has resulted in positive clinical and community care changes for people at risk of anaphylaxis.

Maria has more than 30 years of experience in the day-to-day management of allergic disease and is nationally and internationally recognised and respected.