Bright Minds Foundation is pleased to announce that Marguerite Madden has been hired as our new Executive Director, effective November 9, 2026.
Marguerite Madden is an educator, nonprofit founder, and passionate advocate for expanding opportunities for students and families. A Howard County native, Marguerite is excited to serve her home community as Executive Director of Bright Minds Foundation, bringing eight years of experience in K-12 education and a deep commitment to strengthening communities.
Marguerite began her career in 2018 as a Teach For America corps member in Holyoke, Massachusetts, teaching special education. She continued work as a special educator in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and then, back in Maryland (both in Baltimore City and, most recently, Howard County). Throughout her eight years, she has served a variety of communities with distinct strengths and needs. Despite these differences, students face many of the same challenges in accessing resources, support, and opportunities needed to reach their full potential. These experiences have helped her understand the importance of strong public schools and community support.
Marguerite brings a unique combination of classroom experience and entrepreneurial leadership to Bright Minds Foundation. In 2023, she founded TriThrift, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to reducing financial barriers to endurance sports. She earned her B.A. in Economics and Communication from Duquesne University, her M.S.Ed. from Boston University, and her certification in Administration and Supervision from Johns Hopkins University.
As Executive Director, Marguerite looks forward to leveraging her experiences to build meaningful partnerships, expand opportunities for HCPSS students and educators, and advance the foundation’s mission throughout Howard County.
Outside of her professional work, Marguerite enjoys spending time with her family, especially her daughter, Julia, who inspires her daily to lead with purpose, intentionality, and commitment.
About Bright Minds Foundation
Bright Minds Foundation is the educational foundation of the Howard County Public School System. We bring together community support for academic initiatives that increase access, innovation, and equity for all Howard County public school students. Learn more at brightmindsfoundation.org.
