Mara is a biracial Guyanese settler and guest living on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. She was born and raised in Saskatchewan in Treaty 6 territory, which encompasses the ancestral lands of the Nehiyawak, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, and the homeland of the Métis nation.

She holds an undergraduate degree in English literature from the University of Saskatchewan, a Master of Journalism from Carleton University, and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. She intended to live out her days as a journalist and writer before fate and waning enthusiasm for the journalism industry intervened and she became a lawyer. She is grateful for the opportunity to use legal knowledge as one tool in the service of collective liberation and to help transform systems of oppression.  

Mara is a terrible basketball player but deeply committed fan. She also loves to cook, will bake on request, loves music, and loves to be in motion through dance and yoga.