Born in Ancaster, Ontario, Maria attended high school in Hamilton and later went on to Mohawk College to pursue studies in Television Broadcasting.

Maria began her career as a radio reporter and newscaster, landing her first job in 1985, at CKDK in Woodstock, Ontario. For the next two years, Maria refined her reporting skills at stations in Hamilton and Brantford. In 1987, she entered the world of television at CKNX in Wingham, Ontario, as both producer and anchor of the eleven o'clock news. Maria joined the team at CHCH News in 1989 as a reporter.

Maria has proven on more than one occasion that work and play do indeed mix. She jumped out of a plane at 10,000 feet to promote the Hamilton Air show and also had the experience of playing Cops and Robbers at the OPP Shooting Range in Aurora.

Maria is not only sister to CHCH News weatherman, Matt Hayes, but she is also married to one of her co-workers reporter Scot Urquhart. Together, they have three children, Tessa, Reid and Coryn.

When Maria is not having fun at work, she enjoys exercising and spending time with her kids. She also loves to cook and is an avid collector of antiques.