About Me
Madeline Lake is a passionate and mission-driven professional with a strong background in higher education, nonprofit leadership, and child and family advocacy. She currently serves as a Case Manager at Divinity Family Services, providing trauma-informed case management to children and families in the foster care system. Managing a caseload of 20–30 clients, Madeline coordinates closely with foster parents, CPS, attorneys, and service providers to ensure that each child receives the comprehensive support they need. Her responsibilities include writing individualized service plans, conducting assessments, preparing detailed documentation, and responding effectively to crises.
Education
Madeline graduated from Texas Lutheran University in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, concentrating in Public Administration and Policy, with a minor in Communication Studies. Her academic focus included research on gun violence prevention and the role of strategic communication in advocacy efforts. Her academic excellence was recognized through consistent placement on the President’s and Dean’s Lists, and she was honored as the 2024 David and Anna (Teggeman) Stock Student of the Year. Actively engaged in campus life, Madeline participated in the President’s Council, EnAct, Alpha Chi, and Pi Sigma Alpha, and served on several student hiring and advisory committees, advocating for the student experience and institutional development.
Professional Experience
Madeline’s professional experience encompasses student affairs, event management/programming, and leadership. At Texas Lutheran University, she served as an Area Coordinator, supervising a team of 12 Resident Assistants, leading training and development initiatives, managing crisis response efforts, and overseeing housing operations for a residential community of over 350 students. She also held roles as a Senior Resident Assistant and Senior Audio Visual Event Technician, contributing to both residential life and major campus events.
In ministry settings, Madeline held several seasonal leadership roles at Lutherhill Ministries, including Summer Activities Director, Media Coordinator, and Healthcare Intern. These positions enhanced her skills in team leadership, scheduling, creative media production, and mentorship. Additionally, she worked in youth ministry at First United Methodist Church of Seguin, supporting programming, mentoring, and spiritual development for middle and high school students.
Advocacy and Community Involvement
Madeline’s commitment to advocacy began in 2018 following the Parkland shooting, when she helped organize a march of over 18,000 people in downtown Houston. This experience launched years of leadership with March For Our Lives, where she served as Executive Director of the Houston chapter, State Liaison, and eventually State Organizing Director. She also served as a commissioner on the City of Houston’s Mayor’s Commission Against Gun Violence and collaborated with grassroots organizations such as Pantsuit Republic Texas and Sunrise Movement Houston. She currently serves on the Community Advisory Board for the Houston Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP), helping to shape strategies and policies for hospital-based responses to community violence in the Texas Medical Center.
Certifications
Madeline holds certifications in:
Texas DFPS CANS 3.0
National Adoption Competency Training Initiative: Child Welfare Curriculum
Caregivers Preventing and Recognizing Sexual Abuse and Victimization of Youth in Foster Care EXT0001
Mandatory Reporting Community Response for Youth and Families
Trauma and Trauma Informed Care
Lifeguarding (Including Deep Water) with CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers and First Aid
Future Goals
Madeline’s career is driven by a deep passion for creating meaningful and lasting change in the lives of individuals and communities. She approaches every role with empathy, strategic thinking, and a steadfast commitment to service. Her ability to lead with both heart and expertise enables her to navigate complex challenges and build collaborative solutions that uplift those she serves. Looking ahead, Madeline is eager to expand her impact by pursuing graduate studies in public administration and social work, aiming to blend policy knowledge with hands-on social services to effect systemic improvements. She envisions a future where her leadership continues to foster equity, resilience, and hope within underserved populations and the broader community.