My Journey: From Surviving to Thriving in Leadership
Rising from the Ashes to Lead with Purpose
My Journey: From Surviving to Thriving in Leadership
I’m Madison Brumett — a mother, a leader, a survivor, and a woman who has turned pain into purpose.
My story isn’t a straight line. I was abused as a child, raped as a teenager, and endured a toxic marriage. For a long time, I believed those experiences defined me. But over time, I realized they didn’t break me — they built me. They gave me the strength to rise, the empathy to lead, and the fire to help others do the same.
Finding My Voice in the Corporate World
When I entered the financial industry, I didn’t have a roadmap — just a relentless drive to succeed and a deep desire to create a better life for myself and now my children. I started in customer service, learning the ropes, building relationships, and proving myself in every role I took on.
Over the past years, I’ve grown into my current role as Branch Manager at Arizona Financial Credit Union. I’ve led high-performing teams, developed sales strategies, and built a culture of trust and accountability. But more than that, I’ve learned how to lead with heart — because I know what it feels like to be unseen, unheard, and underestimated.
Overcoming Challenges as a Woman in Leadership
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry hasn’t always been easy. I’ve had to fight to be taken seriously, to be heard in rooms where I was the only woman, and to balance motherhood with ambition. But here’s what I’ve learned:
- Your story is your strength. The things you’ve survived give you a unique perspective and resilience that no one can teach.
- Lead with empathy, not ego. People don’t follow titles — they follow authenticity. When you show up as your full self, you give others permission to do the same.
- Speak up, even when your voice shakes. Whether it’s advocating for your team, challenging the status quo, or setting boundaries — your voice matters.
- Build your tribe. Surround yourself with women who lift you up, mentors who challenge you, and allies who open doors.
- Never stop learning. I’ve earned certifications in consultative sales, project management, and communication — not just to grow my career, but to grow my confidence.
Why I Do What I Do
I love my children fiercely. They are my “why.” I also love my community — the people I serve, the women I mentor, and the lives I hope to impact. I’m passionate about helping others who’ve experienced trauma, because I know how lonely that road can feel. But I also know healing is possible — and success is too.
Today, I lead not just with strategy, but with soul. I’m proud of the career I’ve built, but even prouder of the woman I’ve become.
If you’re reading this and you’ve faced your own battles — know this: you are not alone, and you are not broken. You are powerful, capable, and worthy of every dream you dare to chase.
