Maree McCabe

Maree McCabe, is the Chief Executive Officer of Dementia Australia and a member of the organisation’s Board. In August 2016, Maree was appointed as the Interim Alzheimer’s Australia National CEO then in February 2017 Maree was officially appointed to the role of CEO of Dementia Australia and led the unification process from the federation of Alzheimer’s Australia to the unified national organisation, Dementia Australia, established in October 2017. Within the federation Maree served as CEO Alzheimer’s Australia Vic from October 2010 to August 2016. A recognised leader in the health and aged care sector Maree brings more than twenty-five years’ experience across the health, mental health and aged care sectors to her current role.

Maree’s career accomplishments include Executive Operations for TLC Aged Care, Director of Clinical Resources at The Melbourne Clinic, and General Manager of Hospitals for St John of God Healthcare and Surveyor for the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. Maree has a Post Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Nursing, a Master of Business Administration and is a graduate of the Oxford University Leadership Program. Maree is a director of Dementia Australia Research Foundation and Chair of the Aged Care Quality & Safety Council, which provides advice to the Federal Government on aged care policy development and implementation. Maree is also a member of the Australia Dementia Network Steering Committee and internationally Maree represents Dementia Australia as a member of Alzheimer’s Disease International, is Chair of the ADI Nominations Committee and is a member of the ADI Asia Pacific Regional Committee.

A passionate advocate for not only improving the lives and quality of care of those living with dementia and their families and carers, Maree is committed to elevating the voice of the half a million Australians who live with dementia and their families and carers. Maree drives Dementia Australia’s focus to raise awareness about dementia, demystify the disease and fulfil on the priorities of timely diagnosis, quality care and reducing discrimination. She was instrumental in securing $229M in the 2021/22 Federal Budget for Dementia, the largest allocation for Dementia in over a decade. Maree was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and to the aged care sector in 2021, and included in the COVID-19 Honour Roll for contribution in support of Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.