Madeleine Wolske (MSLIS ’16) took an unconventional path from her master’s in LIS to her current role as the director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation. She credits the iSchool for giving her experience in market research, data storytelling, and community informatics that provided the foundation she has built her career upon.
Where do you work, and what is your role?
I’m the director of the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation, where I provide no-cost, completely confidential, small business advising. While most of my time is spent working one-on-one with entrepreneurs and small businesses, I’m also actively involved in outreach, engagement, and making sure our programming and opportunities truly meet the needs of our community and the entrepreneurs within it. We’re here for the entire lifespan of a business, from idea to expansion (or even exit strategies), and I love being part of that journey.
What do you like best about your job?
It’s the connections—the networking, the matchmaking, and helping entrepreneurs navigate the path from idea to execution. But just as much, I love the strategic planning side: breaking down the “how” of starting a business and uncovering the best ways to approach funding, operations, or scaling. There’s something exciting about helping someone turn a concept into a functioning business and working with them to solve problems they didn’t even know they needed to consider.
What do you see as the most critical impact of your work?
At its core, my work is about building stronger, more connected local economies. When small businesses have the tools, funding, and support they need, they’re able to thrive, which means more jobs, more community reinvestment, and a healthier local economy overall. But it’s also about advocacy. When we help entrepreneurs tell their stories, strengthen their ideas with research, and demonstrate why their businesses are worth investing in, we amplify their voices and help them access the resources they need to grow. That level of support benefits not just individual businesses, but the broader community as well.
How did the iSchool at Illinois help you get to where you are today?
The iSchool gave me a really solid foundation in market research, data storytelling, and community informatics, all of which I use daily in my work. Whether I’m helping a business owner assess their market potential or advocating for funding, I rely on those research skills to gather relevant information, analyze communities, and communicate the bigger picture.
One of the most impactful courses I took was Community Informatics with Professor Martin Wolske (full disclosure—he’s my father-in-law). That class completely changed the way I connect with individuals and put into perspective my own privilege. It gave me a toolkit for understanding and navigating those dynamics, making me a better instructor, mentor, and advocate. It also reinforced a mindset that I carry with me today: when you’re teaching or advising, you are never the sole expert. Everyone brings valuable experiences to the table.
What advice would you like to share with iSchool students?
Take classes that aren’t directly aligned with your career path and get involved in your community. Some of the best experiences come from stepping outside of what you think you need to do. One of my favorite courses was History of Children’s Literature. It didn’t seem related to my career on the surface, but it led me to some really interesting research and introduced me to university resources I wouldn’t have found otherwise.
At the same time, real-world experiences matter just as much as coursework. I didn’t take a traditional path to my career. I got here through passion projects, community engagement, and hands-on learning that gave me the skills I use every day. Some of the most valuable learning happens outside the classroom.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I spend most of my free time with my eight-month-old baby, Felix; my husband, Eric; and our two dogs, Ponyo and Elly. We love fishing at Homer Lake, catching live music at the Rose Bowl Tavern, and supporting small businesses. I also keep up with what’s happening locally through Experience CU and Chambanamoms—there’s always something fun going on!