GREEN BAY – Maddy Prailes grew up in Clintonville, where she said she grew up in a family that valued service and community involvement, “with influences like the Lions Club and Boy Scouts shaping my perspective.”
“Initially aspiring to become an educator, I began my journey at UW-Green Bay but quickly realized I wanted to support children and families in a broader capacity. Shifting gears, I explored public administration and political science, ultimately finding my passion in the nonprofit sector.
“I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2021, ready to make a difference.”
Her career started at Howe Community Resource Center where she worked to support children and families in Brown County.
“Starting as a home visitor, I later transitioned to director of programming, creating initiatives grounded in the HOPE framework to foster positive childhood experiences. In 2024, I became assistant executive director, taking on responsibilities like grant writing, donor engagement and marketing, while pursuing leadership development opportunities.
“My passion project, Leadership HCRC, empowers caregivers with leadership skills to advocate for their families and engage with their communities.”
Prailes said that at the core of her leadership values “is the belief that everyone has a story and brings their unique experiences with them to work. Recognizing that everyone is a human being doing their best is crucial, and it’s important to create systems that support people as individuals, not just as employees.
“I also deeply value collaboration. Nonprofit organizations are stronger when we work together rather than competing or duplicating efforts. By joining forces, we can build a more resilient and unified community, ensuring our collective impact is greater than the sum of our parts.”
And, Prailes is planning to keep pushing herself.
“Whether that’s through leadership development programs, certifications, specialized training or taking on new challenges that help me grow,” she added.
“One thing I do know is that my heart is in this community. I want to contribute to making it a place where people feel safe, supported, and connected. While the future is uncertain, I’m confident it will be filled with meaningful opportunities to grow and serve.”
Prailes married her husband Cameron, whom she met at UW-Green Bay, in 2024.
They live in Howard.
Leading up to the 2025 Future 15 & Young Professionals Awards banquet on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the Oneida Casino Hotel, we will be highlighting the finalists in each edition of the Press Times.
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