Episode Summary
Making a career change is one of the most exciting and terrifying decisions you’ll ever face. Whether you’re considering leaving a stable corporate role, launching a side hustle, or pivoting into a new industry, that “stuck” feeling usually comes from one place: the fear of getting it wrong.
In this episode of Chasing Waves, I sit down with Maritza Bonano, Co-founder of ChangePath and a four-time career changer. Maritza’s journey isn’t a straight line; it spans Deutsche Telekom, early-stage startups in Berlin, and Meta—where she scaled a business line to over a billion dollars in revenue.
If you feel like you’re at a crossroads, Maritza’s story offers the roadmap (and the permission) to take the leap.
Listen to the episode now:
The “Burned Out, While Not Challenged” Paradox
Before leaving Meta, Maritza describes a state of mind that will feel familiar to many corporate leaders: being burned out, while not challenged at the same time. You’ve mastered the role, but the environment has become siloed or hierarchical. You want more impact, but the market is telling you to “hold tight” because of economic uncertainty. Maritza’s experience proves that waiting for the “perfect” external market is a trap. The real clarity comes when you stop asking “Is it safe to leave?” and start asking, “What am I actually solving for?”
3 Questions to Ask When You Feel Stuck
1. Am I holding onto a label or a value?
When Maritza’s work visa for Spain fell through, she didn’t panic. She went back to her “non-negotiables”: an international environment, an innovation-led city, and a role in Europe. By letting go of the location (Barcelona) and holding onto her values, she landed a career-defining role in Berlin.
The Lesson: If you’re stuck on a specific job title, ask yourself: What are the underlying values I need in my next 9-to-5?
2. Do I have the “Bravery Runway” in place?
One of the most practical pieces of advice Maritza shares is about financial planning. She didn’t jump with three months of savings; she built a full year of personal runway. Controlling your finances frees up the “cognitive load” you need to actually grow a business or hunt for a high-level role.
The Lesson: Ask yourself: What is the specific number I need in the bank to feel creative rather than desperate?
3. Am I “Spraying and Praying” or Storytelling?
As a founder of a company that helps people transition careers, Maritza sees one major blocker: the vague job search. Sending 100 applications is a recipe for burnout. Real results come from a narrow, intentional focus and a “storytelling flip.”
- The Old Way: “I’m a Founder’s Associate.”
- The Storytelling Way: “I make sure C-level conversations with the board result in clear ROI.”
The Lesson: Ask yourself: Am I describing my tasks, or am I describing the transformation I provide?
Finding the “Gift” in the Setback
We often view a failed interview or a rejected business idea as a detour. Maritza suggests a different reframe: Where is the gift? When she went through a founder-matching program that didn’t result in a company, she realized it wasn’t a failure, it was the research. It gave her the clarity she needed to eventually build ChangePath. The growth you’re looking for is usually on the edge of the path you weren’t “supposed” to take.
About Maritza Bonano
Maritza Bonano is the co-founder of ChangePath, helping professionals navigate career transitions with intention. With a background at Meta and Deutsche Telekom, she brings a high-level strategic lens to the personal journey of career pivoting.
