Madeleine Freeland
Founder & Executive Director
Madeleine Freeland founded She-Empowers Initiative (SEI) while still in high school, driven by a desire to create lasting change for women and girls in marginalized communities. During a year-long internship working closely with local businesses in Nigeria, Madeleine witnessed firsthand the resilience of women entrepreneurs and the immense challenges they faced—from limited access to education and financial resources to systemic barriers that perpetuated poverty.
What began as a learning experience quickly became a calling. Refusing to walk away, Madeleine envisioned an organization that would break barriers, restore dignity, and unlock the potential of women and girls. With the support of her parents and in partnership with Mr. Glory Dadi, She-Empowers Initiative was born.
Now a student at Vanderbilt University, Madeleine is pursuing a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Law, History, and Society, with a minor in Business. Her academic and research work spans applied physics, national security, and social impact. She leads SEI’s global operations—uniting teams in Nigeria and the United States—to advance education, entrepreneurship, and empowerment programs.
Beyond SEI, Madeleine continues to advocate for equity, innovation, and opportunity—guided by the belief that empowering women transforms entire communities.
