Today we’d like to introduce you to Marisa Carrodo.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
One snowy morning in 2015, my life changed forever.
I was 15 years old, home alone, when my dad suffered a massive heart attack while shoveling snow. I panicked. I waited more than five minutes before calling my mom – not 911. I watched helplessly as he lay lifeless, until EMTs arrived and fought for his life on his behalf.
By grace, my dad survived. Many don’t.
That day lit a fire in me. I realized how often these stories end differently – and I knew it was my responsibility to help change that. I began volunteering immediately.
That passion led me on a journey through the nonprofit world: starting with the American Cancer Society in college, then the American Heart Association, where I volunteered long-term, served two years on the board, and ultimately stepped into my dream role as Development Director for the Eastern Pennsylvania Heart Walks.
Today, my work is focused on building a Nation of Lifesavers – training every household in Eastern PA to perform hands-only CPR, because immediate CPR can triple someone’s chance of survival. Cardiac arrest knows no boundaries. It can happen at home, on a field, or at work. Would you be ready to save a life? I wasn’t.
The worst day of my life lead me directly to my dream job – raising lifesaving funds for people like my dad, advancing research for kids like Aiden, Konnor, Tate and Ryder, and supporting families like Roslyn’s so they can share more special moments with the ones they love most.
Eastern PA is home. Our heart families deserve community, safety, and a place to be seen and heard — and I’m honored to help create those spaces every day!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Non-Profit and Mission Based work is not easy.
Some days, when you’re stuck behind a computer or staring at numbers that don’t quite add up, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most.
And then my phone buzzes.
It’s a picture of Aiden celebrating his 100th day of school.
A video from Konnor just saying hi.
A message from Ella asking to meet for pancakes.
Or Lisa, a heart mama, overflowing with ideas and excitement to make a difference.
Those moments make every hard day worth it. These heart hero’s are my WHY. Their families quickly become so much more to me than they even know.
At Heart, we also walk through the difficult days – doctor’s appointments, shared tears with our heart families, and losses we are never ready for. On those days, I get to be a shoulder to cry on, a reminder that someone is fighting for you when you can’t, and a safe place for our community.
So let this be a gentle reminder: as heavy as those days can feel, they matter more than we often realize
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m the Development Director for the Eastern Pennsylvania Heart Walks.
I get to tell the stories of heart survivors, raise lifesaving funds, and lead three Heart Walks across Eastern PA – Lehigh Valley & Berks, Northeast PA, and the Greater Susquehanna Valley.
I work behind a mission I believe in so deeply – rallying our community around heart health, turning Eastern PA red, and building a culture of lifesavers. Every day, I get to help save lives and work toward a world of longer, healthier ones.
And the best part? I get to see the impact firsthand – in the people, the families, and the communities we serve – and feel proud of the work I do every single day.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I was born and raised in Bethlehem, PA – and while my friends joke that even Easton feels far, I truly love the Lehigh Valley. It’s a community full of passionate people who believe in growing and making a difference together.
Through my work across Eastern PA – spanning 19 counties – home has grown far beyond Bethlehem. This region pours into you, pushes you to soar, and is filled with driven people and professionals eager to help others grow. I’m incredibly lucky to be here
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.heart.org/lvberkswalk
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marisacarrodo/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisanataliacarrodo/
- Other: https://www.heart.org/nepawalk
