Her Story
About Madeline
I've always thought that movies were like a universal language that can bring people together, and just getting to be involved in storytelling has always been something that's interested me. I was definitely one of those very, very involved students at Penn State, and that has helped me immensely because I've just interacted with tons of different types of people. That made me very outgoing. Then I spent 3 years at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, and once again, just meeting people from all over and being really involved with things has been a really important part of how I've gotten here - just kind of combining all of the roles and all of the different communities that I've been able to be a part of. I've been so lucky to continue getting opportunities because of all the people that I've met. Having open communication with people and being outgoing and networking really is so important. I work at Rooftop, which is a non-profit that's really community-driven, and we get to go out into communities and interact with people, and that's just very important to me personally and professionally. I always say that I live in New York because I'm allowed to live in New York as long as I'm using New York, so I'm always experiencing the cool things here - different shows, restaurants, the parks, and all that type of stuff.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Madeline
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say just being enthusiastic and being collaborative. Learning from mistakes and admitting to mistakes is really important to me. I take advantage of the people around me to learn from them, because every day is a learning experience. I've been so lucky to continue getting opportunities because of all the people that I've met, and having open communication with people and being outgoing and networking really is so important.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would say just talk to everybody, and don't say no to opportunities - you never know what something small could lead to something big. Really put yourself out there. I've been so lucky to continue getting opportunities because of all the people that I've met, and having open communication with people and being outgoing and networking really is so important. I also believe in being kind to everybody - I always tell my volunteers that being mean might get you what you want the first time, but it won't get you what you want for the rest of it. Just being a good person and being sociable is key.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges right now are just that it's hard out there economically. Getting funding for everything, funding especially for the arts, is a challenge.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe in being kind to everybody - that's a big one. I always tell my volunteers that being mean might get you what you want the first time, but it won't get you what you want for the rest of it. Just being a good person and being sociable is really important to me. My values align with what Rooftop does - it's a non-profit and it's really community-driven. We get to go out into communities and interact with people, and that's just very important to me personally and professionally.
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