María del Mar Plaza is a Civil Engineer (University of Granada, 1999) and holds a Law degree (Open University of Madrid, 2020).

She is the Secretary-General for Sustainability, Environment, and Blue Economy Department of the Almería City Council.

There, actions are defined and developed to address climate change and transition to a new energy model, as well as the promotion and coordination of R&D activities in collaboration with universities and other research centers within the scope of their competence.

The promotion and coordination of the global change observatories network is also encouraged. This includes strategic programming and planning in environmental matters, as well as the strategic environmental assessment of plans and programs, without prejudice to the competences attributed to another management center in relation to urban planning instruments. Additionally, it involves the development of the Andalusian Blue Economy Strategy.

Furthermore, she is the Director of the Municipal Company Almería 2030 S.A.U., responsible for the Strategic and Territorial Planning of Almeria's City Council and its development through securing funding and agreements with public and private entities.