Before joining NBC News Mara worked as an international contributor and commentator for numerous news outlets and websites, including ABC News, Current TV, Yahoo!, NPR, Ebony magazine, UPTOWN magazine and more.

A sought-after event host and public speaker, Mara has delivered the keynote address for Temple University's Sherman Lecture, and the New York Women in Communications Student Career Conference, and has been a featured speaker at Harvard University's Nieman Foundation. She hosted Rev. Al Sharpton's Triumph Awards in 2010 and 2011.

Mara has a multi-cultural background. She holds dual Italian-American citizenship and has traveled extensively, residing for a time in Somalia, Italy and the Philippines. Mara speaks fluent Italian, and functional Spanish and French.

Mara received her Bachelor's degree with honors from the University of California at Los Angeles, and went on to earn a Master's degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Maryland.

Mara is a longtime member of the National Association of Black Journalists. She lives in Harlem with her husband, daughter, and their two rescue dogs.