We were thrilled to hear from Madeleine Hirsh and get the skinny on all the amazing things she has accomplished since her graduation from Brush in ’99.

Where did you attend college, what was your major, and what year did you graduate?

Duquesne University, Business/IT, 2003

What are you doing now and where do you live?

I’m a Project Controller for Benefitfocus which is a leading provider of benefits technology that supports more than 25 million consumers in the Benefitfocus Cloud.

I live and work in Charleston, SC which is part of the coastal Carolinas.

Prior to Benefitfocus, I spent about 10 years in the public and federal sectors of Deloitte where I worked as a Manager delivering award-winning IT solutions. I also worked for the U.S. State Department as an E2 Migration Specialist.

Highlights of my career so far:
* Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and twice-certified by Harvard University in Management and Leadership
* Served as the Application Manager for the Federal PCIP program
* Had the pleasure of working for clients all over the country including a month I spent living and working in Mumbai, India
* Implemented successful State Exchanges for the nation’s 2013 Health Care Reform as part of my work on the Deloitte Health Insurance Exchanges. Kentucky’s Health Insurance Exchange (HIX) system was featured in Time Magazine and specifically acknowledged by the President of the United States in his 2014 State of the Union address
* Certified by the U.S. CEBS / Wharton School in Group Benefit Design

What activities were you involved in while at SEL Schools?

Drama Club, Thespian Troupe #583, Student Congress, Orchestra, Key Club, Bible Study, SADD, Chorale, Computer Club, AV Aide

In what ways do you feel that SEL Schools prepared you for your future endeavors?

Drama Club and Thespian Troupe #583 (advised by Mrs. Jean Wall) shaped my high school experience – Mrs. Wall is an amazing person and I thank her to this day.

Brush also had a fantastic English Department which left me well-equipped for college and beyond

AP Computer Science opened doors for a career in IT

There were other experiences at Brush- such as learning Japanese, that were unique and exciting.

What are some of your favorite memories, teachers, or classes from SEL Schools?

Mrs. Jean Wall and Mr. Norm Rogozin were my favorite teachers at Brush – really, the entire English department was fantastic but they were my favorite teachers.

If there was one thing you wish people knew about SEL Schools, what would it be?

I would want people to know about the great opportunities in the public school system. I’d also want them to know about the great teachers and friends I made.