Her Story
About Madi
I knew from the start of my college education that I wanted to go into philanthropy, and more specifically, fundraising. I felt really drawn to the nonprofit sector and mission-driven roles. During college, I did internships including one at First Indiana Robotics, which allowed me to really hone in on the world of nonprofits and understand that this is where I wanted to be. Now, as a Community and Corporate Engagement Manager at Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana, I've been able to grow and really expand as a fundraiser. My biggest responsibility is relationship building - connecting our mission of Healthy Communities for All with different corporations and what their mission is in giving back, their corporate social responsibility. I work on aligning our missions together, then move into conversations about engagement activities with their employees, whether they want to volunteer for a pantry clean-out or host a donation drive. From there, I look into grant opportunities within those corporations and work to identify applications. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Lilly School of Philanthropy at Indiana University Indianapolis, and I'm currently working toward my Certificate in Fundraising Management (CFRM). I'm also an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, serving on the Programs Committee for the Indiana chapter for the past 2 years.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Madi
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would say my inner circle - my group of friends, my family is super supportive. I think as much as I say that you need to be you, it's true, but I think that your inner circle definitely helps you kind of curate who you are, and lifts you up. My husband especially, but also just my close-knit group of friends, my girlfriends. That's why I feel so confident about the purpose of influential women - because it's so true. Everything I read on there, and every woman lifting each other up, I love that. I also think having a professional mentor, especially when you're a female and having a female mentor, is crucial to not just your development as a person but also professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've received is to be confident in who you are, and don't let anyone else tell you who you are. It can be really easy to take opinions and influence from outsiders, and I think that that can dull your spark. Being you and being confident in who you are is so crucial. And never be scared to learn something new - always, always growing is necessary to every piece of you. As a woman, I find it difficult in the workplace, whether it's male-dominated or not. Being able to be fully confident in who I am can sometimes feel like I'm being too much, or I question my abilities. But I think professionally, any achievement that I've made comes from being able to be confident in myself and my abilities in fundraising, and really just as a professional.
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