Meet Madison Brown

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Madison Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Madison, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I found my purpose in college when I realized I could combine my love for animals with my marketing degree by pursuing a career in animal welfare. It took some time to land a marketing role in the field, so in the meantime, I worked anywhere I could be around animals whether that was boarding facilities, vet offices, or pet stores just to gain hands-on experience. Through those jobs, I saw firsthand how much animals rely on us. I realized I didn’t just want to work with animals, I wanted to advocate for them. To be their voice. To help protect, care for, and love them.

My first marketing job at an animal shelter confirmed I was on the right path. I got to help animals shine by sharing their stories and finding them forever homes. It was incredibly rewarding. Now, as the Marketing Director at a nonprofit veterinary clinic, I feel like I’ve truly found my purpose. I get to help pets and the people who love them, families who come to us for vaccines, pet food, or even life-saving surgery during some of their hardest times. Helping keep pets in homes and out of shelters is something I care deeply about.

I also love being able to educate our community about spay/neuter, prevention, and responsible pet care. Every day, I feel like I’m making a real difference and that’s exactly what I always hoped for.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the Marketing Director at The Pet Resource Center of Kansas City, a nonprofit veterinary clinic that provides affordable, accessible vet care to families in need. We believe that no one should have to choose between their pet and their paycheck, and our goal is to keep pets healthy and in the homes where they’re loved.

What I do is a mix of storytelling, community outreach, event planning, digital strategy, and advocacy, all centered around making vet care more approachable and equitable. What makes my work so special is that I get to play a role in truly life-changing moments, whether it’s helping a pet get the surgery they need to survive, getting flea prevention to someone who otherwise couldn’t afford it, or simply reuniting a lost pet with their owner. I also get to highlight the everyday heroes on our team, our vet techs, urgent care staff, and volunteers who are doing the hard and heart work behind the scenes.

Right now, we’re focused on expanding our reach in the community through creative events and partnerships, including our annual gala, the Fairy-Tails Ball on April 11th 2026, and fun community events like Mutts & Movies at the Boulevard Drive-In coming up this summer on August 29th. We’re also putting more energy into educating the public about prevention, spay/neuter, and the realities of pet care access. It’s been exciting to see how powerful storytelling and strong community relationships can be in driving real change.

At the end of the day, my role is about connecting the dots between people, pets, and resources and showing that animal welfare isn’t just about animals, it’s about people too. That’s the heart of what I do, and I feel lucky to get to do it every day.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, three qualities that have been the most impactful in my journey are adaptability, empathy, and storytelling.

Adaptability was essential, especially early on when I was working in all kinds of animal-related jobs from boarding facilities, vet clinics, and pet stores just trying to gain experience and find my path. Each role taught me something new, and being open to learning and growing in unfamiliar environments helped me build a solid foundation. For anyone early in their journey, I’d say: don’t overlook any opportunity. Every job, even if it’s not your “dream job,” can give you skills and insights that will help you later on.

Empathy has shaped the way I approach everything from the way we communicate with struggling pet owners to how we tell stories about the pets we serve. Understanding where people are coming from is key, especially in animal welfare. If you’re looking to grow in this area, spend time really listening, whether it’s to coworkers, clients, or the community. The more you listen, the better you’ll understand how to meet people (and pets) where they are.

And finally, storytelling. It’s one of the most powerful tools in my role. Being able to take a pet’s story when they don’t have a voice of their own and share it in a way that moves people to act is incredibly impactful. It’s also about telling people’s stories in a respectful and dignified way, especially when they’re going through hard times. Knowing what details to share, and just as importantly, what not to share, takes care and sensitivity. My advice: practice telling stories that are real, relatable, and emotionally honest, while always protecting the dignity of those you’re featuring. Whether it’s a social post, a video, or a donor appeal, always come back to the “why.”

Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?

Working at a nonprofit veterinary clinic, feeling overwhelmed is something I’ve had to learn to manage because, truthfully, no two days are ever the same. I can plan my schedule down to the minute, but the reality is I never know what the day will bring. One minute I’m working on a campaign or prepping for an event, and the next I’m being asked to help direct traffic at check-in, bring pets back for surgery, assist with outreach visits to check on a pet, or even do a last-minute segment with the local news. Sometimes I’m even working with pets who are completely unsocialized and full of energy, it definitely keeps things interesting!

When I feel overwhelmed, I’ve learned to take a deep breath and remind myself that the work we’re doing matters. It helps to stay grounded in our mission and focus on one task at a time, even if it means shifting gears quickly. I also try to be flexible and open to jumping in wherever I’m needed, whether it’s hands-on with pets or behind the scenes. Over time, I’ve gotten better at recognizing when I need to pause, reset, or ask for help.

My advice is to accept that chaos is sometimes part of the job, especially in nonprofit work. You can’t control everything, but you can control how you respond. Build a routine that works for you, stay organized, and don’t forget to give yourself grace. You don’t have to do it all alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://prckc.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/petresourcecenterofkansascity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prckcmo/