September 29, 2024
Written By: Anita James
What do the names “Madison” and “Reagan” have in common?
1) James Madison and Ronald Reagan were the fourth and fortieth presidents of the United States, respectively.
2) In 2001, “Madison” was the second most popular name for girls in the U.S., while “Reagan” was more popular for girls but still ranked 320th for boys’ names on The Bump.
3) These are also the names of Kendal’s new Director of Human Resources and her brother. In their case, the names aren’t political but come from a mom who loves historical names.
Madison began her first full day at Kendal on Monday, August 26, and as of September 5, was still excited about being on campus. Originally from Woodstock, just outside of Atlanta, GA, she was looking for employment in the area because her significant other, Michael, is a second-year law student at Washington and Lee School of Law. Before joining Kendal, Madison’s human resources experience was in the food and hospitality sectors. She was drawn to Kendal because of the opportunity to work with people—helping employees so they, in turn, can serve the community.
Madison’s academic background is a perfect fit for her role at Kendal. She holds a degree in Human Services Delivery and Administration from the University of North Georgia, where her studies included gerontology, social work, and psychology, with a minor in sociology. She said this broad coursework allowed her to explore various career paths without being confined to one. Madison’s passion lies in supporting people through the different stages of life, especially in the workplace, and helping them find happiness in their roles. To that end, she has an open-door policy and, when her schedule allows, enjoys wandering the hallways of Kendal, getting to know staff and residents. She’s eager to hear residents’ stories and learn what brought them to Kendal.
Outside of work, Madison’s interests are as varied as her professional experiences. She has five rescue cats, four of which she adopted after fostering them as kittens during college—she jokingly calls herself a “foster failure.” Madison also enjoys practicing yoga, exploring nature, listening to live music, appreciating good beer or wine, painting, knitting, and traveling. She’s already excited about the Holiday Craft Fair in December and the nature trails on and around campus. She is open to suggestions for local organizations she might join.
Whether you’re a fellow cat lover, yoga enthusiast, musician, aspiring artist, or just want to meet another friendly face, feel free to stop by Madison’s office in Anderson to welcome her to Kendal at Lexington. You won’t regret it!