Maria joined Consortium in 2018. She supports Members with their fundraising, providing one to one support, creating resources and delivering training. She's also working on initiatives to increase funding to the LGBT+ Sector.

Maria is a London-born Cypriot. She grew up and started her working life in Newham, East London before going to Leeds University to study Sociology and then to Manchester for an MA and PhD.

After a period as an academic researcher & lecturer, she moved to the charity sector in 2008, working mainly for community organisations in fundraising and leadership roles. She was a Trustee/Chair of Brighton & Hove LGBT Switchboard and then Interim Director, where she oversaw LGBT+ support services and co-led Trans Needs Assessment research commissioned by Brighton & Hove City Council.

Maria lives in East Sussex with her partner and (when we're not in lockdown) enjoys long walks by the sea and sitting in cafes indulging in the usual introvert past-times of reading and thinking.