Washington’s National Park Fund supports priority projects in Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks, and we couldn’t do it without our dedicated supporters. Our Trailblazers series celebrates these passionate park lovers and all of the different ways they give back, from donating their time or talent to volunteering, fundraising, and more.
Meet Maddie Mikell, our newest staff member at Washington’s National Park Fund! Maddie joins WNPF as our Development Manager, bringing more than eight years of nonprofit fundraising experience and a passion for turning data into meaningful connections with the people who support the parks.
Originally from the greater Philadelphia area, Maddie has called the Pacific Northwest home since 2019, when she moved to Eugene, Oregon, and fell in love with the region’s diverse natural beauty. Her connection to Washington’s national parks began just one week after she moved to Seattle, on a camping trip to Mount Rainier National Park, and from that moment on, Washington has been where she wants to be.
Maddie’s passion for national parks is clear. “One of my favorite parts about national parks is that they’re for everyone,” Maddie shares. “At a national park, you’ll find a trail that takes technical gear and a lot of experience, but also a paved path that you can wander along no matter your physical ability.”
We are excited to welcome Maddie to the WNPF team and look forward to her contributions toward our mission of raising funds for Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic National Parks!
What are some of your most memorable experiences in Washington’s national parks?
Every time I’m at one of Washington’s national parks, it’s a memorable experience! Some of my favorites are:
What is your favorite thing to do in the parks, and do you have a favorite?
It’s so hard to commit to my favorite park, but as a transplant to Washington, I have to go with Mount Rainier National Park. I live right near Kerry Park in Seattle and have daily moments of “WOW!” every time I see the mountain right next to the city’s skyline. I love that you can see the iconic mountain from so many places – constantly reminding me where I am in the world and how lucky I am to live so close to this natural beauty.
I never get sick of driving into the park and seeing Mount Rainier from different angles, exploring trails both in the park and outside that get you a jaw-dropping view, or walking around the beaches on Whidbey Island (my home before Seattle) and still seeing Mount Rainier across the water as if it’s just a mile away.
When it comes to my favorite thing to do in the parks, I’d say long day hikes that offer views of the mountain, with bonus points if we also get views of the subalpine and alpine lakes in the park, like Sheep Lake and Crystal Lakes. I love the reflections you get in the water and how shockingly blue many of the lakes are.
What brought you to Washington’s National Park Fund?
Really, a love for the national parks and an interest in positively impacting a cause close to home. In my years of nonprofit fundraising before WNPF, I’ve focused on organizations that are close to my heart but physically far away. WNPF gives me the unique opportunity to combine my professional experience and my love for nature to better myself and contribute to the conservation of Washington’s natural beauty.
Can you tell us about your role and what you do?
As Development Manager at WNPF, I’ll be focused on our annual campaign fundraising and our data! I pay close attention to who our donors are and what they’re most interested in supporting, and then I search for opportunities to allow them to make an impact. By learning more about WNPF’s committed group of supporters, all of us together can fund projects and support beautiful, wild national parks in Washington for generations to come.
What’s your favorite part of your role?
I love the way my role prioritizes the intersection between data and storytelling. I get to focus on learning from our generous donors and park projects. From there, we’re able to connect people who want to support our three national parks with projects that need our funding.
Are there any projects that we raise funds for that you’re especially passionate about?
Being so new to WNPF, I get more excited every time I hear about a project that we’re raising funds for. Right now, I would have to say meadow restoration in Mount Rainier National Park and wildlife monitoring and research have piqued my interest the most.
Can you share a fun fact about yourself that people might not know about you?
My first attempt at a backpacking trip was in 2018 in Wisconsin, and we were SO unprepared. We hiked miles to camp in the dark and rain, carrying firewood and ceramic bowls. It rained through our tent that night, and we abandoned ship and went home the next day!
We are so grateful for the many Trailblazers who help us achieve our mission. Interested in supporting the parks? There are lots of ways to give. Together, we’ll ensure our parks remain vibrant and everlasting for years to come.