Maria Halasz is heading up new ventures at UNSW, one of Australia’s largest universities. Prior to that she was CEO of stride Equity, the first venture backed equity crowdfunding platform in Australia, which followed 14 years as the CEO of ASX listed Anagenics, a health and wellness company.

Maria Halasz is heading up new ventures at UNSW, one of Australia’s largest universities. Prior to that she was CEO of stride Equity, the first venture backed equity crowdfunding platform in Australia, which followed 14 years as the CEO of ASX listed Anagenics, a health and wellness company.

Her current role is built on more than 25 years executive career, including several years in investment banking and venture capital, mostly focused on the technology sector. Recognised for her broad, international experience in commercialising technology Maria has built enduring business relationships within the technology industry in Australia and overseas.

Growing up in country Hungary, Maria often thought of visiting Australia, but never dreamt of living here until she turned 19 and decided to leave Hungary. She arrived in Perth, Australia in 1987 as a refugee and, having met amazing, supportive mentors, soon graduated with a science degree and an MBA.

Having honed her director skills in the AICD’s Chairmen’s Mentoring Program Maria has extensive executive, board and governance experience in listed and unlisted public and private companies.

Maria is a non-executive director of the Garvan Research Foundation, a member of the Commercialisation Committee of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Program, an organisation funded by the Commonwealth of Australia and its 60 member organizations. She is also a Councilor of the Australian Industry Group (AiG).

A lifelong running enthusiast with a keen interest in healthy longevity, Maria is a firm believer that fit and healthy leaders make for better organisations. She is passionate about taking others along a healthy longevity journey as an advocate in this exciting new area.

A vocal supporter of increasing the number of women in senior corporate roles, especially in STEAM, Maria is also vocal about the need to increase venture funding for female founded start-ups.