Get To Know ICUL’s Newest Credit Union Advocate, Madison Grady!

November 10, 2023

Hello, Madison here, I am the new Director of Government Affairs for PolicyWorks. I direct ICUL’s statehouse and executive branch lobbying efforts, lead grassroots organization of Iowa credit unions, and direct fundraising efforts for the Credit Union Political Action Committee (CUPAC).

Most recently, I was living in my home state of Montana and was the Government Affairs Director for the Montana Association of REALTORS® where I lead the associations lobbying efforts on homeownership and private property rights.

I started my government affairs journey while competing for Boise State University’s speech and debate team while earning my undergraduate degrees in political science and communications. Out of the various events I competed in, policy debate was always my favorite. This led to my first job with the Idaho Governor’s Office, which eventually prompted me to move to our nation’s capital.

While living in D.C., I attended George Washington University and earned my master’s degree in public policy with a focus on regulatory policy. I also had the opportunity to intern with the Cato Institute in the media relations department before going to work for a financial trade association advocating for mutual funds.

I was born and raised in the forests of beautiful Northwest Montana; downhill skiing in the winter and mountain biking and hiking in the summer months (the few Montana has). Most of my childhood was spent in an ice rink, training as a figure skater until age 16. It was through skating that I learned what I meant to be passionate about something, how to work hard, and be self-motivated.

My wife, Whitney, and I, along with our nine-month-old Mini Australian Shepard, Maverick, moved to the Des Moines area in October of 2023. We’ve enjoyed exploring the breweries and wineries in Iowa, spending time with family in eastern Iowa, and attending University of Iowa football games. Go Hawks!

I am beyond excited to be working at PolicyWorks, advocating for credit unions and their members in both the state and in Washington, D.C. I am looking forward to my first Iowa Legislative Session this coming January and the opportunity to help pass the Iowa Credit Union Modernization Act out of the Senate.