As Assistant Field Director, Madison supports field instructors in building a skill set that enables them to best guide participants and navigate the various challenges that arise while on the job. Through Madison’s time as a field instructor with Evoke Entrada, she came to value the impact of a non-judgmental, empathetic approach. Madison engages with staff using this mindset in order to promote field instructors’ self-reflection and development. She values the opportunity to offer guidance through honest conversation and feedback. Madison seeks to personally learn and grow alongside field instructors through collaborating and encouraging a safe space in which to try new methods.

The wilderness became a deeply healing and grounding space for Madison during a summer spent living in Colorado, when she first went backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, and so on. Since then, Madison has completed a semester-long outdoor education course with NOLS, spent summers working at overnight adventure camps, been a snowboard instructor, and worked as a site manager at a hot spring wellness center and campground. Each of these endeavors centered on empowering others to safely and confidently spend time outside. Madison continues to return to the wilderness therapy setting because of the authentic space it creates in which staff and students can show up as fully human and learn alongside one another.

After growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, IL, Madison graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Dayton. Some of Madison’s future aspirations are to earn a graduate degree in the counseling field, to publish a novel, and to complete an extended through hike. Madison spends her free time reading fantasy romance novels, writing or drawing in one of her many journals, and planning road trips to explore new places.