Her mother, Mary Macdessi, came to Australia from Lebanon when she was six and moved to Wingham in New South Wales, where her family ran a general store.
She obtained a Bachelor of Science (Hons) in physiology and pharmacology and a Graduate Diploma of Education (1987) from University of New South Wales.
[6] She is Chair of Buildcorp Foundation, which is a charitable structure concerned with initiatives such mental health and suicide prevention.
[4] She has been president of Australian Women's Rugby since 2015 and Director of Sydney University Football Club Foundation since 2010.
[8] Her membership on private, public, government and not-for-profit boards includes Growthpoint Properties Australia, Parramatta Park Trust (2017–2020), Australian Rugby Foundation (2015–2019), Australian Museum Trust (2019–),[9] Melbourne University Infrastructure Advisory Board (2017–2020), the Sydney University Football Club Foundation, Opera Australia (2011–),[10] Centenary Institute (2011–)[11] and Green Building Council of Australia (2021–)[12][13]