Kelly Medenwaldt, Chief program officer, Catholic Charities Diocese of Madison
What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job?
The most significant challenge is the daily awareness of how many individuals in our 11-county service area are struggling. Having been with Catholic Charities for 28 years, I feel as though I’ve grown up working in our programs. This has allowed me to see firsthand the positive impact of our work. Whether it is bringing a smile to the face of someone with an intellectual disability, helping an older adult remain in their home, or serving a hot meal to someone who is unhoused, the rewards are often simple, but many. The desire to help others is what drew me to this field, and that is exactly what we do at Catholic Charities everyday.
Who do you look up to or admire in business?
I most admire the frontline workers who support the people we serve. Working with individuals struggling with addiction, walking alongside those who are unhoused, supporting kids in schools and providing stability to multicultural communities is unbelievably hard work that requires great skill, immense patience and true heart. These professionals hear heartbreaking stories and witness incredibly difficult situations regularly; yet, despite those challenges, they consistently give the best of themselves to make others’ lives better. They are some of the kindest, most dedicated, and unselfish individuals I know. They are a constant source of inspiration for me and a reminder of why our mission at Catholic Charities is so vital.
What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
My primary advice would be to speak up more often. If you have ideas for how things can be improved or streamlined, share them with confidence. If you see something you believe is wrong, advocate for how to make it right. Your voice might not always be the deciding factor, and you won’t always be listened to immediately, but you can feel good knowing you stood up for your principles and spoke up for the changes you believe need to happen.
What are your guilty pleasures?
My guilty pleasure is a Big Buddy fountain Diet Coke from Kwik Trip with a pump of sugar-free vanilla syrup. It usually takes me all day to drink it, and if I don’t get through it all, I put what’s left in the fridge, fill it up with a fresh Diet Coke the next day, and it is just like new! “See ya next time…” Absolutely!
