#356 Mary Shea: From Oboe Solos to Sales Strategy—A Career Reinvented — Part One

Mary Shea didn’t follow a traditional path. She composed her own.

In Part One of this three-part series, Mary walks us through the bold decisions that took her from professional oboist to PhD to sales analyst—and eventually to co-CEO of Mediafly. Along the way, she’s picked up more than titles: she’s developed a philosophy that blends intellectual rigor, creative play, and social equity.

She opens up about what it’s like to enter the business world a decade “behind” her peers, the financial freedom sales can offer underrepresented leaders, and how she’s helping build not just tech products—but leadership pipelines that reflect the real world. 

This episode is for anyone thinking of switching lanes, catching up, or starting over.

Key Highlights of Our Interview:

From Mexico to Management: Her Unlikely Start

“I played oboe in symphonies, earned a PhD in musicology—and then started over in sales.”

Sales as a Social Equalizer

“If you’re good at it, you can rewrite your life. It gave me the power to fund causes, uplift others, and lead on my own terms.”

Behind, But Not for Long

“I came into business 10 years behind my peers. That lit a fire—I moved fast, and I moved with purpose.”

Creating the Playbook, Not Just Following It

“I need intellectual stimulation. Managing is fine, but building strategy? That’s what lights me up.”

Enabling Others Is the New Power Move

“My role now is to empower my team like mini-CEOs. Their wins are my metric.”

Scaling With a Human Lens

“We acquired five companies in under two years—not to show off, but to build something smarter, faster, and more inclusive.”

Pushing for True Diversity in Sales

“Only one-third of B2B sellers are women. That has to change—and I’m using my platform to help drive it.”

Mediafly’s Mission: More Than Sales Enablement

“From revenue intelligence to buyer engagement, we’re building the full tech stack—without losing sight of people.”

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Host: Vince Chan | Guest: Mary Shea PhD

--Chief Change Officer--
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