Her Story
About Martha
Martha Cardenas is an emerging marketing leader, student advocate, and community builder currently completing her degree in marketing at Utah Valley University. As President of the university’s Marketing Association, she provides strategic direction, leads campus initiatives, and fosters meaningful connections between students, faculty, and industry professionals. Known for her energy and initiative, Martha has also served as a Marketing Department Representative and intern, working closely with university leadership to promote programs, support student voices, and execute impactful campaigns. With hands-on experience across internships and leadership roles, Martha has built a strong foundation in digital marketing, content creation, and brand strategy. Her participation in initiatives like the UX Design for Social Impact competition reflects her ability to apply creative problem-solving and design thinking to real-world challenges, blending business strategy with purpose-driven innovation. Beyond her academic and professional work, Martha is deeply committed to building authentic community and creating opportunities for others. As co-founder and marketing director of Her Impact Co., she is helping cultivate a space for women focused on connection, personal growth, and service. Inspired by early exposure to the marketing world and shaped by meaningful campus experiences, she is driven to use her skills not just for business success, but for positive social impact. With a strong blend of leadership, creativity, and heart, Martha represents the next generation of marketers focused on both results and meaningful change.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Martha
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Being smart is great, it’s important, but rarer than intellect is courage.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
As someone who is still entering the industry, I may not be the most knowledgeable, but I am incredibly passionate about what I do. When you are authentic and passionate about your work, it shows. Be passionate and be brave. It's true that when you choose to start, you can accomplish amazing things. As a recent college graduate in 2026, I am learning to lean into my strengths and quiet my imposter syndrome. I know that being a young woman entering any industry or starting something new can feel intimidating, even terrifying. But when you take a step back and recognize how credible and valuable your talents are, you begin to feel a sense of confidence and peace. So remember to stay passionate, be brave, and believe in yourself.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Authenticity is incredibly important to me - I can't stand when things feel fake or forced, especially in the Utah community, where so much feels like it's done for clout rather than a genuine connection. When we started Her Impact Co, we wanted to focus on what really matters, which is serving people authentically without cameras around or content being filmed constantly. During the Charlie Kirk incident at my university, I had to take myself out of the business role and focus on what was most important - my community, not what looked best marketing-wise. We took all of that off the board and focused on the main reason we're here, which is building connections. With our non-profit, our three pillars are cultivating friendships, inspiring growth, and making a difference, because I believe in building a genuine community where women feel like there's actually a place for them. I want the work I'm doing to show that somebody else can literally do what I'm doing.
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