—  ABOUT  —

OH, HI!

I’m Mary Mandefield - a presenter, journalist and creative living in London :)

I’m an advocate for finding power in your voice, using your platform for good and making a change in your own way. I break down some of the biggest topics and current affairs for a young and news-hungry audience.

On radio, I host Hits Radio overnights and early breakfast - expect big tunes and friendly chat Monday - Friday. I also cover 1Xtra Talks and Life Hacks on BBC Radio 1. I started out by spending 3 years producing and hosting the talk show Bringing it Black, on Westside Radio - sharing stories from the UK’s Black communities.

In 2024, I presented MY first documentary for Channel 4: The Truth About Brazilian Butt Lifts: Botched Surgery Exposed. As part of the In Too Deep strand, I uncovered the dark and deadly reality of BBL surgeries in a high risk investigation, confronting the owners of a dangerous clinic. I was then delighted to be awarded the Debut Presenter award at the TV Foundations New Voice Awards 2025.

Alongside documentaries, I’m a regular contributor on BBC News, speaking on music and entertainment stories ranging from the Super Bowl performances to Glastonbury and the Mercury Prize. I’ve been part of the Brits and the MOBOs iPlayer live coverage and have been a guest on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and BBC Breakfast.

In collaboration with Persephonica and The News Movement, I fronted the podcast ‘Noted’. Taking a deep dive into issues that matter to Gen Z audiences - I covered topics from knife crime to weight loss drugs, speaking to experts and people at the heart of the stories. The 12 part series was twice nominated at the ARIAs for Best New Podcast and Best New Presenter.

Happiest with a mic in hand, I’ve hosted events for Soho House, The North Face, the Radio Academy, the British Science Festival, University for the Creative Arts and Oxfam. A frequent guest on panels - I’ve taken to the stage for Universal Pictures, D&AD and Community Media Association. I’ve worked on content for Bumble, Barbour, Capital FM, The Hook and done voiceovers for Wet Leg, Arrive, PureGym and Shopify.

I’ve been on juries for The TV Foundation, The BRIT Awards, ARIAs and Youth Music Awards and as a campaigner for equality, I've spoken on behalf of the Malala Foundation at the Houses of Parliament and have represented the ONE campaign at the European Parliament.

As a writer, my words have been shared in Stylist, Hush and gal-dem. Always keen to share learnings with others, I’m the editor of the newsletter ‘making moves’ - it gives a BTS of the projects I’m working on, insight on trends, conversations across the industry and job and funding opportunities.

Always looking for an adventure, I’ve lived in Kenya, South Africa, Namibia, France and spent extended times travelling to new locations. Passionate about supporting young talent, I’ve been a long standing sponsor to Otjikondo School in Namibia and am a mentor for The Step-Up Sorority.

I’m represented by Megan Pidgeon at Insanity