Mascarenhas was born on 26 July 1980 in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia,[2] to Indian immigrant parents of Goan descent who migrated from Kenya.[3][4] She grew up in Kambalda[5] and attended John Paul College in Kalgoorlie.[6] She studied science and engineering at Curtin University in Perth where she became President of the Student Guild.[7] She worked as an engineer for 15 years in Western Australia and Victoria, including as a FIFO engineer.[5][8] She worked in climate change action for 12 years, where she helped ASX 200 companies with decarbonisation.[9] She also volunteered for The Climate Reality Project.[10]
At the 2022 election on 21 May, Mascarenhas won the Division of Swan, succeeding retiring Liberal Party politician Steve Irons and defeating his party's candidate Kristy McSweeney.[8][12] Mascarenhas is the first woman to win the seat of Swan in its 101 year history.[9] She is the first person of Goan origin to be elected to Australia's House of Representatives.[13]
Personal life
Mascarenhas lives in Perth's East Victoria Park with her husband and two children.[9]
