Her Story
About Madeleine
Madeleine Friedman is a seasoned executive leader with more than 20 years of experience at the intersection of healthcare information technology and federal service. Currently serving as Acting Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Medical Services at the Defense Health Agency, she oversees complex acquisition portfolios, leads large multidisciplinary teams, and collaborates with stakeholders across government organizations to ensure the successful delivery of mission-critical healthcare programs tied to strategic initiatives. Her career has been defined by a steady progression of leadership roles supporting the Department of Defense, where she has consistently driven improvements in healthcare technology, operational efficiency, and strategic program execution that directly benefit military personnel and their families worldwide. Madeleine's professional foundation is built on a deep commitment to integrity, servant leadership, and accountability. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech and post-graduate studies in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University — a combination that has equipped her with both the scientific grounding and operational expertise to navigate the complex landscape of defense healthcare systems. Her contributions have not gone unrecognized; she was honored with a Challenge Coin from the Undersecretary of Defense P&R for her innovative work towards digital health initiatives, an achievement she regards not as a personal milestone, but as a reflection of the collective effort of the teams she has had the privilege of leading. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Madeleine is a passionate advocate for the next generation of women in federal and defense leadership. She encourages emerging leaders to cultivate self-awareness, lead with humility, and embrace resilience — qualities she views as essential in fields where women remain underrepresented. She recognizes that one of the defining challenges of her industry is balancing the rapid pace of technological advancement with the enduring mission of supporting national security and military readiness. Outside of her executive responsibilities, Madeleine is a devoted wife and mother of two, who finds balance through baking, crafting, reading, and a well-documented passion for true crime books, documentaries, and podcasts.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Madeleine
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to integrity, servant leadership, resilience, and a deep respect for the people around me. I have always believed that leadership is not about personal recognition — it is about serving others, empowering your team, and consistently doing the right thing, even when it is difficult. Leading with humility and maintaining strong ethical values throughout my career has allowed me to earn the trust and respect of my colleagues, and that foundation has made all the difference in how I govern myself and others.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to "choose your leaders wisely". I learned that after years of hard work and implementing the core strategies and strengths of leaders I admired that I would be, one day, asked to coach and mentor the next generation of leaders that would come after me. After receiving this advice, my perception of my role changed. I now had to look at myself as a role-model, not just as someone leading high-performance teams. Successful project results were now coupled with grooming successful people. I quickly learned that investing in people is a core value.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to lead with integrity in everything you do. Be self-aware, know your strengths, and never underestimate the power of servant leadership. This industry can be challenging, particularly for women who are often underrepresented in defense and federal leadership roles, so resilience is essential. Stay grounded in your values, invest in the people around you, and understand that your greatest measure of success is not the title you hold, but the impact you have on others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the greatest challenges we face in federal healthcare and defense leadership is keeping pace with rapidly advancing technology while never losing sight of our core mission — supporting military readiness and national security. As systems and capabilities evolve, we must ensure that innovation serves the warfighter and enhances healthcare delivery, rather than creating complexity that slows us down. At the same time, there is a tremendous opportunity to build more inclusive environments and develop the next generation of leaders who will carry this mission forward with the same sense of knowing that the mission is much larger than ourselves, but together we will always stand strong.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity, servant leadership, accountability, resilience, collaboration, and respect are the values that guide both my professional and personal life. I believe that strong leaders focus on developing others, creating opportunities for their teams, and upholding high ethical standards in every decision they make. Outside of work, those same values shape how I show up for my family. I am committed to balancing a demanding executive career with being fully present at home, and I find that the two reinforce each other in meaningful ways.
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