Amy Coates Madsen

Amy Coates Madsen

Vice President for Programs
Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations

Self-care connects everything in life: career, interactions and one’s personal life. Is this something you are doing well or is this a goal? What are your secrets if you are succeeding and what are your goals if this is a focus area where you want to learn from others?

Prioritizing self-care is something I strive to do and sometimes I’m more successful than other times. While I have no magic bullets for self-care, I find that running provides a helpful self-care outlet for my life. I love running with a training group at my local running store, Charm City Run. I also add in yoga once per week to help with recovery and balance.

Why is community service critical to your career and your personal leadership journey?

My career and the sum of my life’s work is centered upon community service. My work focuses on helping nonprofit leaders strengthen their own communities and tackle the hardest problems. I take this work very personally. When I am not at Maryland Nonprofits, I also embrace different types of service as a volunteer with youth leadership and development, my faith community, and the broader community as well. My favorite quote is credited to former U.S. Rep. Pat Schroeder, who stated, “You can’t wring your hands and roll up your sleeves at the same time.” I consider myself a humble “sleeve roller” who does her best to jump in and help however I can. I am so humbled by the people I have a chance to interact with in my life’s journey. I am grateful for opportunities to serve.