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Celebrating the Women of Connected Nation: Maddie Garnett

Editor’s note: In honor of Women’s History Month, we are profiling the women at Connected Nation. From leadership roles to internship positions, these women are using their skills and experiences at every level of the organization to fulfill our mission to expand broadband access, adoption, and use to all people.

Garnett Maddie 01 683x1024 Headroom 200x300Bowling Green, Ky. (March 20, 2019) -  Maddie Garnett was just a sophomore in college when she started interning for Connected Nation. Now, she’s about to step into a world of opportunity.

“I will graduate with my B.S. in management in May from Western Kentucky University,” Garnett said. “My career is just beginning, but Connected Nation sure has given me a great start.”

Garnett’s official title is Human Resources and Special Projects Coordinator. She has been with the nonprofit for two-and-a-half years and, in that time, has grown to become an important part of the company. From leading the Corporate Responsibility Task Force, which provides ways for staff to give back to communities, to taking on extra tasks and responsibilities within Human Resources that go above-and-beyond the requirements of her job description, Garnett has grown into a professional who contributes to creating a positive company culture even while taking on a full course load at WKU.

“My job gives me the freedom to support others in the company through HR tasks, but also a wide range of other support areas depending on what is needed. These are my ‘special projects.’” she said.

“Maddie had some free time last summer and instead of simply enjoying her time off from class, she asked for extra hours under Communications,” said Jessica Denson, Communication Manager. “She wanted to learn new skills and try new things. Maddie did an amazing job in just a few months’ time—not only taking on new projects but taking in constructive criticism and using that feedback to create something even better than anticipated. She was an asset to the Communications’ team.”

Garnett says she looks to other women for inspiration—quoting Audrey Hepburn and loving “literally anything Eleanor Roosevelt ever said.” And she has one piece of advice to offer other young women who, like herself, are working hard to follow a career path they love:

“There may be struggles and days where you feel like your dream job is completely out of reach,” said Garnett. “This doesn’t mean it is impossible, you just have to keep pushing yourself to be the best you can be and refuse to settle for less than you’ve earned.”

Related Links:
Celebrating Women’s History Month with a Tech Twist: Hedy Lamarr – Actress and Inventor

Meet more of the Women of Connected Nation: 

Bernie Bogle, Chief Financial Officer

Heather Gate, Director of Digital Inclusion

Ashley Hitt, Director, GIS Services

Gina Lindsey, Executive Assistant to the Chairman & CEO