Madelyn Vincent on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Madelyn Vincent and have shared our conversation below.

Madelyn, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Who are you learning from right now?
A friend recently talked me into signing up for one of those Apple MasterClass memberships, and I’m hooked. There’s something so inspiring about hearing experts share not just their skills, but how they mastered them.

I started with Mike Cessario’s class, Business Rebels (he’s the founder of Liquid Death — also highly recommended by that same friend), and it really pushed me to think outside the box with my own work. I love learning from people outside my industry and finding creative ways to apply their thinking. It keeps things fresh and fun.

One of my life mottos comes from Bill Nye: “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” I first heard it in my early 20s, and it stuck. I try to stay open to learning from unexpected people, places, and experiences — because everyone has a story worth learning from.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Madelyn Vincent, Associate Executive Director at Billy’s Place — a nonprofit in the West Valley that supports grieving kids and families. Like most in the nonprofit world, everyone who works here wears a lot of hats! Some of my role involves “marketing”, but for us it’s really about sharing stories, building awareness, and letting people know we’re here when they need us. I also love jumping into social media, writing newsletters, and sending handwritten notes to donors and community partners — it’s all about connection, and I’m absolutely convinced we have the best community to have ever existed!

Right now, I’m especially excited about our School Bereavement program. This September, we’re launching a free monthly webinar series created with feedback from more than 100 local educators, counselors, and administrators. It’s designed to give them exactly what they asked for — practical tools to support grieving students — and it even comes with CE credits. It feels like such a meaningful way to empower schools while reaching even more kids who deserve safe, supportive spaces.

Our school bereavement liaisons are some of the most dedicated, compassionate people you’ve ever met. They really understand the space they’re in and the people we serve. They know how to meet educators where they’re at and advocate for their needs in this space. It’s magic!

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think a lot of us have that one pivotal role model who believes in us wholeheartedly and sees our potential before we do. For me, that was my friend Taylor. He was like a big brother to me, and we bonded deeply over our shared passion for helping kids and families. I was so inspired by the path he took as a social worker that I started pursuing a similar educational and career direction.

When Taylor tragically died in 2018, that grief changed me — and ultimately drew me to my work at Billy’s Place. I know how important it is to find people who “get you” and connect with your story the way Taylor did with mine. That’s what I see happening every day with the kids and families who walk through our doors, and it makes my work incredibly fulfilling. I like to think Taylor would be proud of where I’ve landed and the impact I get to be part of now.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
For me, suffering reshaped my whole understanding of pain. The more you endure, the more you overcome — and I’ve found that my hardest seasons have also fueled the development of some of my best qualities. Namely, my creativity. The tougher the problem, the more inventive you have to become to solve it. Some of my best ideas have come when my back was against the wall. Which feels ironic, but also kind of beautiful. Over time, I’ve become less fearful and more excited when a challenge comes my way.

Suffering also taught me gratitude in ways success never could. I notice and appreciate the little things in life that might go overlooked by someone who has never had to live without them. That perspective has been one of the greatest gifts to come out of hardship. I’ve always enjoyed giving back – but giving back has a lot more meaning when you’re helping someone get through what you’ve endured yourself before. It gives meaning to what can otherwise feel like meaningless suffering. There’s healing and connection in that. There’s purpose in that.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I’m a forever fan of Jane Goodall. She’s broken so many barriers — not just as a woman in a male-dominated field, but as someone who came in with very little “formal” experience and instead led with compassion and curiosity. I love how she changed the way we see connection — not just between people, but between all living beings.

What I admire most is how she’s stayed grounded in advocacy, truth, and optimism. She’s humble, collaborative, and has this perspective that feels bigger than any one lifetime. She’s always been my answer to the question, “If you could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be?” because I know her stories would be the kind that leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and exponentially more curious about the world around you.

Plus, she’s in her 90s and STILL traveling around the world with her advocacy work; writing, speaking, and interviewing – how can you not admire that?!

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
It probably sounds odd since I work in bereavement, but yes — I absolutely have those “tap dancing to work” days. A lot of what we do is actually really joyous. The circumstances that bring people to Billy’s Place are tragic — losing a sibling, a parent, a spouse, or someone you love is unimaginably painful. But there’s an equally undeniable hope in watching those same people connect with one another. The invisible strings that show up between families in our groups still leave me in wonder.

There are countless stories of people holding each other up in their darkest moments, and that kind of connection makes the work incredibly fulfilling. It’s the kind of thing that keeps me up at night (in a good way) and gets me out of bed eagerly each morning. I won’t pretend it isn’t draining at times — it’s emotional work. But I’ve learned that our capacity for suffering also expands our capacity for gratitude. The ugliest experiences can open the door to some of the most beautiful and meaningful ones. I feel lucky to be a part of it all.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Billysplace.me
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/billysplaceaz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/billy’s-place
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/billysplaceme/