For Lindsey Madsen, community connection isn't just part of her job, it's something she lives every day. As a Community Development Manager at Ziply Fiber, Lindsey looks for ways to make a lasting impact where she lives and works. This year, that journey brought her to the YWCA Yakima through her involvement in Leadership Yakima, a program that's been shaping the next generation of leaders for nearly four decades.
Leadership Yakima has been developing local leaders since 1986. Each year, participants from across industries come together to learn about the community, explore local challenges and build leadership skills. It's not just classroom time; this is hands-on learning, where participants visit dozens of organizations, meet local leaders and see first-hand how Yakima works.
The program runs on applications and tuition, and participants represent their companies as they learn and grow. For Lindsey, Ziply Fiber not only covered her tuition but also gave her the time and support she needed to dive into the experience fully.
"I just think meeting so many different kinds of people was the best part," Lindsey says. "We got to tour all these different facilities in Yakima and learn about how different industries operate in our community. We also visited jails, 911 call centers, treatment facilities, even behind-the-scenes at the airport. It was this inside look at how our community really works, the kind of perspective you can't get unless you're right there."
Some days, her group would visit more than a dozen locations, covering everything from agriculture and criminal justice to childcare and homeland security. They met with speakers, asked questions and came away with a broader understanding of Yakima's strengths and challenges.
Lindsey's role went even further. As president-elect for her 2024–2025 class, she was part of the planning process, coordinating where the group would go, who they would hear from and making sure her classmates knew what was ahead for each week. It was a chance to sharpen her leadership skills while helping the program run smoothly.
A key part of Leadership Yakima is giving back through a group project. Each class chooses an organization to support, and Lindsey's team selected YWCA Yakima, which provides critical services for survivors of domestic violence, including safe housing for women and children.
"When we toured the shelter units, we saw they were 15 small studio apartments, and they were completely bare," Lindsey recalls. "No sheets, no pillows, no towels. The YWCA is building a new facility, but so much funding was going to that project, and the need here was immediate. We wanted to make sure every unit felt like a home."
Lindsey and her classmates set out to fully stock all 15 units with essentials like linens, bathmats, comforters and other household items that could help create a safe, welcoming space. They also aimed to raise enough money for furniture and other larger needs, knowing that new families would cycle in and out of the shelter frequently.
To make it happen, they organized a brewery fundraiser that drew in the community. The event featured live music, raffle prizes ranging from designer handbags to wine baskets and a barbecue grill and plenty of opportunities to give. Guests could scan a QR code to donate directly, and the venue itself contributed a portion of its sales. The event raised close to $12,000 in donations and money to go toward the shelter apartments.
"It wasn't just about raising money, it was about raising awareness," Lindsey explains. "Domestic violence isn't always visible, and the YWCA provides such a vital safety net. The fundraiser gave people a chance to learn, to contribute and to be part of the solution."
At Ziply Fiber, we're proud to stand beside Lindsey and the YWCA as they work to make Yakima a safer, stronger place to call home.
