BW alumna named 2021 Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year

Despite the challenges this past year has brought to the world, Madeline (Southall) Wallace '16 continued to provide a helping hand to those in need in the Cleveland community. Her efforts did not go unnoticed.

Wallace was named the 2021 Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year by the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network of Cleveland for her work in the nonprofit sector in the Cleveland community.

Serving Those in Need

Wallace is the director of development for Joseph's Home, a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System. Joseph's Home provides rehabilitation services and housing stability to medically challenged, homeless men within the community.

As the director of development, Wallace has grown an endowment fund that successfully supports Joseph's Home by creating connections between residents and donors through personal stories.

Expanding to Serve All

The life-changing impact and success that Joseph's Home has on its male residents presented the organization with an opportunity for expansion.

This past year, Wallace led a campaign that raised $1.3 million to create Mary's Home, a rehabilitation facility for homeless women facing illness. The funds raised were used for renovations of the new 10-bedroom facility. This expansion doubles the number of people Joseph's/Mary's Home will serve.

A Career Path Formed at BW

Wallace, who majored in marketing at BW, gained experiences both inside and outside of the classroom that influenced her decision to choose nonprofit work as her career. Her exposure to nonprofit work began in arts management courses, leading to an internship at Gordon Square Arts District, where she worked on a $30 million campaign.

Wallace was also a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, where she took on leadership roles in planning philanthropic events on campus like a Breast Cancer Awareness 5k walk/run and Think Pink Week. Her work in the Alumni House solidified her passion for fundraising and gave her a place to develop her skills and knowledge to enter the nonprofit sector.

"I feel my time at BW truly prepared me both professionally and personally for this experience, and I am so grateful to my alma mater for shaping me into the professional I am today," said Wallace.