Mary was appointed as Chief Executive of Children's University Scotland in August 2013. Her career history has focused on roles involving collaboration between education and business, higher education and community outreach. Whilst working as Education Business Partnership Manager at Lincolnshire Training and Enterprise Council she completed an MA in Education and Industry through Warwick University.

She was Education Liaison Manager for The Boots Company, and spent five years as Director of Aimhigher Nottinghamshire, working with a range of partner organisations - schools, colleges, universities and businesses - to address the lower-than-average rates of progression to higher education that characterised many deprived communities in the region.

In May 2008 Mary was appointed as Head of Schools, Colleges and Community Outreach for Nottingham Trent University.  Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Children's University was one of NTU's flagship initiatives. It was her experience of managing Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Children's University within Nottingham Trent University that led to the opportunity to develop and embed Children's University in Scotland. Mary was awarded an MBE for services to higher education in the 2014 New Year Honours List.