A podcast for Lehigh Valley women! 💖

Our stories unite us, and help us find common ground. But right now, many of us feel disconnected, and at times, divided. 

That’s why we created a podcast focused on the things that connect us — specifically, the things that connect local women. It’s called Common Threads, Lehigh Valley. 

This is a space for local women to meet up, talk, listen and learn from each other. Because whether we’re juggling daily tasks, attempting work-life balance or trying a new self-care ritual, we’re all more alike than we think!

This podcast is about creating space for local women to share their perspectives, personal stories and find connection with women in their community. Because everyone has a story to tell.

Topics are confronted with brutal honesty, the sharing of lived experiences and openness. The podcast is hosted by Emmy-winning journalist Megan Frank and women who live and work in our community. Listen wherever you get your podcasts — or stream on the PBS39 YouTube Channel. 

Spotlight on: 

Marci Martinez-Howey

Marci Martinez-Howey is the Associate Vice President of Culture and Community Building at United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Marci successfully made the incredible leap from the rigid world of finance and numbers into the deeply human space of organizational culture and community impact. She is the perfect example of how your skills can translate into a completely new calling.

Q&A with Marci:

What is your #1 piece of advice for women who feel pigeonholed in their current role and crave a career pivot?

Don’t define yourself too narrowly or allow yourself to become too comfortable. Your title or industry is only one part of your story. Don’t forget who you are underneath it all. One of my favorite quotes is, “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone,” and I truly believe that. Growth requires risk. Some of the most meaningful careers are not linear, and the skills and experiences you’ve built can open doors you never imagined. Take the risk, you’re worth it.

Many women feel that because they’ve invested years into a field, a pivot means throwing away hard work, or that they’ve started “too late.” What advice do you have for reframing that sentiment?

As women, we often underestimate how transferable our experiences really are. I’ve had three very different careers, including telecommunications, banking, and now nonprofit leadership, but the common thread in all of them was people. In every role, I was leading teams, coaching staff, developing talent, and building relationships. Those skills didn’t disappear because the industry changed. I also understand the fear of feeling “too late.” It took me several years, as an adult learner, to complete my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. At one point, I worried it was too late, that I’d be too old. Someone important to me said, “The time is going to pass anyway. Why not get old doing what you love instead of wondering what could have been?” That perspective changed everything for me. A pivot is not starting over, it’s bringing everything you’ve learned with you and applying it in a new way.

Women often feel they need to meet 100% of the qualifications before applying for a role. What advice do you have for overcoming that self-doubt?

As women, we often underestimate how valuable our lived experience and transferable skills really are. When I pivoted industries, I didn’t have a perfectly linear background for every opportunity, but I knew how to lead people, build trust, navigate challenges, communicate, and adapt. Those things matter in every field. Confidence doesn’t come before the opportunity, it’s built through action. Take the step, learn as you go, and trust that your experience has prepared you more than you realize. You don’t need to check every box to belong in the room.

When your network is in one industry, how do you build connections in a completely different one?

Relationship building is something I genuinely love. I’m naturally curious about people’s stories, challenges, and successes, and that mindset helped me tremendously when entering new spaces. It’s never been about “collecting contacts.” For me it’s about “connecting with contacts.” Networking becomes much easier when it’s rooted in authentic connection rather than trying to “sell yourself.” People remember genuine curiosity and consistency. I also think people underestimate the value of the network they already have. Even if your contacts are in another industry, relationships open doors. Someone always knows someone. Show up consistently, listen more than you talk, stay teachable, and find ways to contribute before expecting anything in return.

How can someone tell the difference between burnout and needing a true career pivot?

For me, the key question is: “Am I exhausted by the environment, or disconnected from the work itself?” Sometimes burnout is about toxic culture, being overextended with your workload, or poor leadership. Other times, it’s about value alignment, realizing the work no longer connects to what matters most to you. Sometimes you realize that even when things are going well, you still feel unfulfilled. That may be a sign that your interests, values, or purpose have evolved. I recognized that the part I loved most in every career was developing people and building relationships. Once I aligned my work more closely with those values, my pivots made much more sense. Pay attention to what energizes you? What feeds your soul? What gives you purpose?

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