Mara is a native Arizonan who grew up in a border town with Sonora, Mexico where she learned to value traditions and cultures. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and Immunology from the University of Arizona. Mara worked as research specialist for several years in both academia and the private sector. She later founded a Montessori School where she served as Head of School for more than 10 years.

As the program coordinator, she is responsible for assisting the NNI Leadership Team in managing NNI's commitments to Indigenous policy and Native nation building.

In her free time, Mara enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, listening to audiobooks and hiking.