Meet Mary

Expanding what it means to
act boldly in the face of doubt.

“True leadership is forged in the fire of challenge. It is not about avoiding hardship, but about turning every setback into a stepping stone for growth and impact.”

At the core of Mary Ajayi’s work is a relentless commitment to empowering others to break free from perfectionism and self-doubt. An accomplished entrepreneur, author, and cybersecurity executive, Mary combines deep technical expertise with authentic human insight to drive transformative change.

Mary grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, in a family where her father was a respected lawyer and her mother a successful entrepreneur. Her life changed after witnessing her father’s tragic death—a moment that disrupted her childhood and forced her family apart. At nine years old, Mary relocated to America, where she learned grit and full responsibility early. With limited family resources while her mother balanced work and school, Mary funded her own education by working multiple jobs and side hustles, all while maintaining academic excellence.

Mary faced familiar inner battles: self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and the crippling “almost ready” syndrome that traps many high achievers. These struggles shaped her understanding of the psychological barriers holding people back.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland and her master’s from George Washington University, supplementing her education with executive leadership training at Carnegie Mellon University.

Her career began in data analytics and evolved into governance, risk, and compliance, specializing in artificial intelligence governance. As founder of Cyfendry Academy, Mary has mentored over 1,000 professionals, helping bridge critical talent gaps in cybersecurity and AI.

In her book, You’re Not That Special, Mary dismantles myths that hold high achievers back and offers a roadmap to courage, action, and authentic growth—the principles that have guided her journey.Based in Dallas, Texas, Mary blends lived experience with technical mastery to inspire others to lead with resilience, clarity, and confidence in an increasingly complex world.

Contact Mary
Guided by
Passion
Purpose
Innovation

Passion

I’m driven by a deep enthusiasm for what I do.
I bring energy and dedication to every project, conversation, and connection. My passion fuels the work of inspiring others to push past limits and realize their full potential.

Purpose

My purpose is to create meaningful impact
by leveraging my expertise in cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. I believe in using my skills and voice to help others navigate risk and uncertainty so they can thrive in their own journeys.

Innovation

I embrace creativity and continuous innovation, always seeking new ideas, strategies, and solutions that challenge the status quo. Staying adaptive and ahead of the curve is key to driving lasting growth, both personally and professionally.

I invite you to explore my book, join the conversation, and start your own journey of showing up despite fear and doubt.