Makala is originally from Washington, where she grew up on a small farm. She received a B.A. in Psychology at Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. As an undergraduate, she studied political psychology and conflict resolution, which continue to drive her academic and professional interests. After college, Makala worked at a communications firm in Seattle called GMMB for three years. On the global health team, she worked with clients that advocate for women and child nutrition around the world. She also supported the political team with production of political advertisements for candidates running for office in Washington State. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS), following a career interest in public diplomacy.

"I chose MSFS because of its program design that emphasizes professional development."