Profile: Malynda Hawes Madzel

Monday, April 9, 2007

Profile: Malynda Hawes Madzel (The Horizon Foundation) -- Malynda Hawes Madzel cares deeply for our Howard County community - as evidenced in her formal and privately-led volunteer efforts. In addition to her Horizon Foundation Board Service, she is Immediate Past Chair of the Columbia Foundation Board of Trustees and most recently joined the Leadership Howard County Board. For these efforts and others, no one can question Madzel's community commitment.

While Madzel has received a number of prestigious awards - including the Jim Rouse Award in October 2005 - she says one award where she was on the giving end was a defining moment of her life. Each year, The Horizon Foundation sponsors the Richard G. McCauley Award event, which recognizes individuals who provide exceptional service to their community in matters related to health and wellness. Madzel experienced a life-changing moment in 2005 when she was involved in recognizing four high school students who led a successful two-year effort to increase the pool of eligible donors for bone marrow transplants. Their project, which culminated in drafting legislation, was a remarkable verification of the quality and creativity of youth leadership. The core concept was lowering the age requirement for bone marrow donors in Maryland. "This is an example of what young people can do with their energy, and with guidance. This was a high point of my life, and I couldn't have been happier to be a part of this award."

Richard G. McCauley award winners Jade Vaughn, Kimberly Sealey, Monica Holloway and Cherise Carpenter, with Malynda Hawes Madzel.

Madzel has taken this energy to mentoring young women in her personal life, and leads a group of seven young women in networking and in one-on-one mentoring. "This is my love right now," said Madzel, "next to my family."

A resident of Howard County for over 20 years, Madzel has seen a number of issues at play in the community. Issues relating to residents 60 years old and older are close to her heart now. "There is a big difference from when my grandmother was 60, and what 60 is like today," she notes. She wants to make sure that residents who are interested in down-sizing their living arrangements who want to remain in Howard County near their families and friends (like she recently has) have affordable choices related to smaller housing. Other concerns she has include the availability of services related to older people, as well as affordability issues in housing for the County's teachers, police officers and firefighters. Regarding other needs in the County she adds, "It is our responsibility to keep reminding people that we have members of our community who have some real needs - that there are problems here in Howard County. We can't pretend it doesn't exist."

What's next on Madzel's busy agenda? "I'm training to walk in the Avon Breast Cancer Walk" in May. "I'm shooting to walk 12-15 miles," she says. A mere 15 miles.....