Kurt Madden: The embodiment of stewardship in Fresno, he commits to doing good | Opinion
How do you capture the extent of the contribution Kurt Madden has made to our community? Do you start with all the roles he has played? Do you start with the influence he has had on so many as friend, colleague, and mentor? Do you focus on the impact, visible and invisible?
I met Kurt when he was leading One by One Leadership, an organization that formed around the same time as the Fresno Business Council in response to dire conditions in the community. One by One took aim hands on, committed to alleviating poverty. The FBC took aim at leadership, determined to find a new way to conduct the community’s business. A business civic group is formed to advance the social contract of our country — liberty and justice for all.
Ironically, the founder of the network that includes One by One and the founder of Community Intervention, a firm I worked for in Minnesota, knew one another and did a workshop together in Pittsburgh. The common thread, the inner journey, was how to liberate the human spirit from internal and external poverty.
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In 2000, when the Collaborative Regional Initiative began, we had settled on five priorities. One was human development. We enlisted Kurt to lead, and I served on his team. The business plan we crafted is still advancing, albeit behind the scenes as it centers on culture change. One of the key elements is the Community Values, a social and behavioral contract the team solidified after more than 400 people weighed in. Over time those who embrace thevalues fully become civic stewards, committed to the common good, the responsibility side of citizenship.
Kurt’s role at the Fresno Unified School District has been extraordinary. He was part of the Choosing Our Future team that crafted a turnaround plan to avoid a state takeover. Impressed by his knowledge and skill, the superintendent hired him as the head of technology.
His other role — what Kurt does everywhere — is earn trust and build a sense of community.
During his time at Fresno Unified, the FBC was deeply involved in mental health, recognizing the significant impact it was having on institutions and the community. Unfortunately, the effort failed, and the organization faltered. Kurt stepped up to become the president and guided us to another level as we began initiatives directly rather than work through others.
As Career Nexus emerged as part of the DRIVE initiative at the Central Valley Community Foundation, Kurt was the obvious leader. He is a bridge between worlds — human and economic development. Ensuring students have the opportunity for paid internships benefits the student, the employer, and the community.
When I think about a metaphor for Kurt, what comes to mind is the word fascia. Fascia is a sheath of connective tissue that surrounds every part of the body, providing support to muscles, tendons, ligaments, tissues, organs, nerves, joints, and bones. Fascia creates cohesion, unity.
Kurt is the embodiment of civic stewardship — fascia. His commitment to the common good, every part, every person, is demonstrated in everything he says and does.
What a privilege it has been to know and work with him. How fortunate we are that Fresno is his home.
Thank you, Mayor Dyer, for providing the opportunity to celebrate the life and work of Kurt Madden by giving him the Key to the City.
Deborah Nankivell is the chief executive officer of the Fresno Stewardship Foundation.
