Maris is researching racehorse health and safety, as a PhD candidate at the University of New England. Her academic background is in political science. She completed a Masters of International Politics at the University of Melbourne with Dean’s Honours.
She has professional experience as a corporate consultant, advising businesses how to manage risk. She is a director on the boards of two horse-industry companies. She has competed the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Foundations of Directorship course.
Maris began her career as a journalist for The Age and The Sunday Age. Her work with other journalists was awarded the highest prize in Victorian journalism, the Gold Quill, and a United Nations Association of Australia Media Peace Prize.
She is based on a farming property in the western district of Victoria. She enjoys horse-riding with her husband, who is a professional polo player and horse trainer.
