Full Name
Madalena DeAndrea
Job Title
Emergency Management Specialist
Company
Jeffco Public Schools
Speaker Bio
Madalena is the oldest daughter of Deputy Chief AJ DeAndrea (retired). The backdrop of her childhood were the events of her father’s historic career. A Colorado Native, Madalena received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Strategy from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018. During her time at CU, she served as Student Body President for her 30,000 classmates which gave her the unique opportunity to directly manage a $24-Million budget, lead a 500-person organization, speak to crowds of 8,000+ people, and work with world leaders like His Holiness the Dali Lama and Vice President Joe Biden.
Following her undergraduate studies, Madalena worked for a non-profit in Los Angeles, CA. While serving in this role she went out for a night of dancing with her friends at Borderline Bar and Grill and the unthinkable happened - a gunman came in and started shooting. Madalena was able to find safety in the attic above the bar where she stayed for the remainder of the tragedy as 12 people, including responding Police Officer, Sgt. Ron Helus, were killed.
After surviving the Borderline tragedy, Madalena had to make a decision about what her future would look like. Following the incredible example of her father, she sought mental health support within 48 hours of returning home from California. Within a week, she made a choice to not let evil win and to be a force for good in the world.
Madalena now proudly serves as the Emergency Management Specialist for Jeffco Public Schools, the School District she grew up in. She is a certified Threat Liaison Officer for the state of Colorado and is trained in CPTED, CIT, FEMA’s Incident Command Series and Professional Development Series, and Single Officer Response to an Active Shooter.
In her spare time, Madalena travels the country telling her story and sharing her message of hope, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth with law enforcement agencies, school districts, businesses, and community organizations. Madalena is passionate about empowering individuals and communities with the mindsets and tools needed to build resiliency even in the face of life’s uncertainties!
Following her undergraduate studies, Madalena worked for a non-profit in Los Angeles, CA. While serving in this role she went out for a night of dancing with her friends at Borderline Bar and Grill and the unthinkable happened - a gunman came in and started shooting. Madalena was able to find safety in the attic above the bar where she stayed for the remainder of the tragedy as 12 people, including responding Police Officer, Sgt. Ron Helus, were killed.
After surviving the Borderline tragedy, Madalena had to make a decision about what her future would look like. Following the incredible example of her father, she sought mental health support within 48 hours of returning home from California. Within a week, she made a choice to not let evil win and to be a force for good in the world.
Madalena now proudly serves as the Emergency Management Specialist for Jeffco Public Schools, the School District she grew up in. She is a certified Threat Liaison Officer for the state of Colorado and is trained in CPTED, CIT, FEMA’s Incident Command Series and Professional Development Series, and Single Officer Response to an Active Shooter.
In her spare time, Madalena travels the country telling her story and sharing her message of hope, resiliency, and post-traumatic growth with law enforcement agencies, school districts, businesses, and community organizations. Madalena is passionate about empowering individuals and communities with the mindsets and tools needed to build resiliency even in the face of life’s uncertainties!
Speaking At
