ABOUT MADALENA

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. She was almost 3 years old when her father left the park they were feeding the ducks at to respond to the Columbine High School tragedy. She was 10 years old when she learned a girl named Emily had lost her life, even though her dad tried to save her, but not before giving us words to live by: “i love u guys” in a text to her family. She was 11 years old when the YWAM tragedy rocked her hometown of Arvada, CO. She brought middle school sport's teammates to the Frank DeAngelis Center for Community Safety to be role players in Law Enforcement “Single Officer Response to An Active Shooter” training scenarios. Most importantly she spent many family dinners hearing her safety was her responsibility and talking through what to do when bad things happen.

The Daughter of a Police Officer

a BRIGHT FUTURE

A Colorado native, Madalena graduated with honors from Ralston Valley High School in her hometown, Arvada, CO.

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 then Vice President Joe Biden.

SURVIVING THE UNTHINKABLE

Following her undergraduate studies, Madalena worked for a nonprofit 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.

Madalena texted her family throughout the entirety of her experience in the attic that evening, mirroring the words of those her father, in so many prior tragedies, tried to protect.

CHOosing post-traumatic growth

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 (check out her journal entry to the right).

Determined to be victorious over her experience, Madalena began the process of intentionally rebuilding her life from the ground up. She established what she affectionately calls her “Growth Team”; read any book about trauma, psychology, personal development, etc. she could get her hands on; and, most importantly, started connecting with other people who had walked the path of recovery before her.

Becoming a light in the darkness

After serving four years as an Emergency Management Specialist, Madalena now proudly serves as the Senior Manager of Strategic Projects, Recovery, and Resiliency for Jeffco Public Schools, the school district she grew up in. Being able to empower the community she loves with the skills that ultimately saved her life has been one of the most healing experiences in Madalena’s healing journey.

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.

Certifications, Licensures, & Awards

    • Full FEMA Incident Command System (ICS) Series

    • Full FEMA Profesional Development Series

    • IS-00362.a Multihazard Emergency Planning for Schools

    • Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

    • Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) 40-Hour & Youth

    • POST Equivalent Firearms Course (40-Hour)

    • Single Officer Response to an Active Shooter

    • Threat Liaison Officer (State of Colorado)

    • CIT Adam’s Award: For Perseverance, Passion, and Integrity

    • Department of School Safety Exemplary Performance Award

    • University of Colorado, Boulder Panhellenic Association 2016 Campus Involvement Award