This is me.

What I'm about.

My work focuses on impact for impact: empowering the influencers on the planet to make an even greater difference. After many years of living and working in the USA, I returned to my childhood home in regional Victoria with my son who was a baby at the time. I quickly felt lost and directionless. I didn’t have a plan, I felt a lack of purpose, and despite being surrounded by people ready to support me, I felt painfully alone.

Late one night, lying on the floor of my apartment in what felt like a deep pit of despair, I heard my beautiful boy take a deep breath. In that moment I knew: it was about him. My purpose was to create a bright future for my child, and I would build, design, and create whatever I needed to to make that happen. His breath reminded I needed to live – not just exist. I prioritised connection with our networks, and began to pave the path to the bright future that is now our beautiful present.

Step by step, I began to create a pathway that would change not only my life, but the lives of thousands of people just like me. From that moment, I chose to dedicate my life to helping people find their way. Everyone has a path. I help people find, carve, and create bridges to theirs. I connect people with the value of listening to themselves, and the immediate positive gains in connecting with others.

In my experience, everyone has the answers they are seeking.

I simply help people unlock them.

Wellbeing cultivates welldoing.

Health and wellbeing are critical for success – not just in work, but in life. As a Positive Psychology Practitioner who has spent years developing evidence-based wellbeing strategies for individuals and organisations worldwide, I’ve learned over and over that it’s not a set and forget approach. It takes time, energy, and dedication to consistently make wellbeing a priority. I’ve been on a long tour of my own wellbeing, and I deeply understand the challenges that can arise when creating the conditions to thrive. But I also truly believe that everyone has the potential to live their best lives. I help people to realise that potential – boldly, brilliantly, and unapologetically!

Beyond my work…

Outside my world of work, I am passionately dedicated to self-care, and make my health and wellbeing a high priority. I am energised by adventure and travel, and in my happy place when I’m on a plane heading to somewhere exciting.

I believe in breaking all the rules when it comes to running a global business from a small, rural location. You can do whatever you want, wherever you want, with whatever you have.

You just have to choose.

Qualifications

(BA) Bachelor of Social Science, Diploma in Positive Psychology, (MBA) Masters in Business Administration, Certified Master Coach, Master of Applied Positive Psychology, Melbourne University.

Board Positions

Nov 2017 – Nov 2019: Chair, Committee for Maryborough

Nov 2012 – Nov 2019: Chair of Bendigo Community Bank – Avoca, Maryborough, St Arnaud

2012 – 2015: Advisory Board Member for Jibo Inc. Boston.

About Bounce

As Founder and Creative Director of Bounce Global, Maria is the architect behind internationally delivered leadership, wellbeing and behaviour change programs that have impacted tens thousands of people across Australia, the USA, the UK and New Zealand since 2006.

Her most recent initiatives includes designing the human skills content for MIT’s AI Skills Training Program, PATH (Pathways for AI Training and Hiring), a multi-year initiative scaling affordable, industry-aligned AI training for entry-level and current workers, with a particular focus on transforming community colleges into engines for an AI-enabled workforce in the US.

Her multi-award-winning company Bounce Global operates from Maryborough in country Victoria, Australia, and she has released three books The Guide to Getting the Job You Want, (2011), From the Bedroom to the Boardroom: What to say to be Heard (2016), Building Resilient Pathways (2026) — all of which have been met with excellent reviews.

Acknowledging Country

In the spirit of reconciliation, I respectfully acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which I operate my business.

I recognise their continued connection to land, water and community and pay my respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.

I express my gratitude in the sharing of this land, my sorrow for the personal, spiritual and cultural costs of that sharing and I hope that we may walk forward together in harmony and in the spirit of healing.