Maria Osman has over 40 years of experience in gender equity, diversity and inter-cultural communication as a senior government policy adviser, speaker, trainer and community activist.
As the former executive director of Western Australia’s Office of Multicultural Interests and Office for Women’s Policy, Ms Osman led the development and implementation of cutting edge strategies policies and programs. She has always combined her senior roles with grassroots advocacy with migrant and refugee women.
In 2007, she was awarded the Government of Western Australia’s Multicultural Community Service Award and in 2012 the National Living Legends Award, awarded to the 100 most influential African-Australians.
In 2015, the Australian Government appointed Ms Osman as the official delegate to the 59th Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women in New York.
In June 2021, Ms Osman was appointed a member of the WA government's newly-formed Voluntary Assisted Dying Board which ensures adherence to the legislation and report to the State Government as necessary on quality and safety improvements related to voluntary assisted dying. She was on the Ministerial Expert Panel on voluntary assisted dying.
