Written by: Maddie Nerden

From Member to President

Serving as President of MAC | AMA has truly been a full-circle experience for me. It was something I had been working toward since my freshman year, and stepping into the role made me realize how much I had developed—not only as a leader, but as an individual within this organization.

I joined MAC during my freshman year and became part of AMA as soon as I was able to in my sophomore year. That same year, I took on a role as a Marketing Associate on the MAC Board of Directors. By my junior year, I advanced into the Director of Marketing position. Looking back, each of these roles built upon one another and prepared me for becoming President, even if I did not fully recognize it at the time.

Stepping Into Leadership

I have always been motivated, so there was not a single defining moment that led me to run for President. During my time as Director of Marketing, I became more comfortable leading a team and trusting others to take ownership of their responsibilities. At the same time, I started to develop a broader vision for what MAC could become. That combination ultimately pushed me to take the next step.

Going into the role, I expected my responsibilities to mainly involve organizing meetings and assigning tasks. However, the reality was much more complex. With an entirely new Board of Directors and myself as the only returning member, a large part of my role became centered around teaching. I found myself guiding others through responsibilities that I had not personally experienced, which challenged me to be more patient, flexible, and willing to learn alongside my team.

A Year of Growth and Recognition

One of the achievements I am most proud of was our chapter being recognized as a Top 5 Small Chapter at the AMA International Collegiate Conference. This recognition was especially meaningful because of the intentional work that took place behind the scenes.

Over the summer, I spent time evaluating how we could improve the way the club operated and met individually with each board member to better understand their roles and ideas. We also made a strong effort to engage general members by creating committees focused on areas such as marketing, fundraising, event planning, and competitions. As a result, more members felt connected to the organization, and I believe that was reflected in everything we accomplished.

Beyond the award itself, seeing the team come together with a shared sense of pride, energy, and unity made the entire experience worthwhile.

What Leadership Taught Me

This role reshaped my perspective on leadership. At one point, I described leaders as being like history books—we carry knowledge of past experiences and understand what has worked and why, but we must also remain open to change and new ideas.

Being President taught me that leadership is not about controlling every aspect. Instead, it is about balancing past knowledge with new perspectives and trusting in the process of growth and evolution.

The People Behind the Organization

One of the most meaningful parts of this experience was the people involved. Working with our new advisor, Dana, brought a fresh perspective, and her support throughout the year was invaluable. She fully immersed herself in the organization and learned alongside us.

It was also reassuring to have our previous President, Emma, still on campus as someone I could turn to for guidance, especially during moments where there were gaps in knowledge from previous years.

Because of these influences, the culture within MAC | AMA felt stronger than ever. Relationships formed across different class years, not only within the board but throughout the organization as a whole. The board worked efficiently, stayed focused, and still found ways to enjoy the experience together.

Advice for Next Year’s Team

One thing I strongly encourage next year’s board to continue is involving general members in both the planning and execution of the organization. This year, bringing members into initiatives such as MAC SMAC, marketing efforts, and fundraising helped create a stronger sense of involvement and commitment.

At the same time, there is a clear opportunity to continue building forward. This year focused on reestablishing and strengthening the organization’s foundation. With greater continuity moving ahead, the next board will have the ability to innovate and expand from an already solid base.

Looking Ahead

I hope MAC | AMA continues to grow into an even stronger organization with a lasting foundation. I would love to see the chapter take the next step and earn recognition as the International Small Chapter of the Year at the AMA Collegiate Conference.

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Final Thoughts

More than anything, I am grateful for the opportunity to have made a meaningful impact on this organization. Watching ideas come to life and working alongside such driven and passionate individuals made this experience incredibly fulfilling.

This is something I will carry with me moving forward, and I am excited to see what the future holds for MAC | AMA.