S8 Ep. 11: Honoring Her Legacy: A Conversation with Miss America 2024
Last Updated: April 24, 2025
When Madison Marsh stepped into the spotlight as Miss America 2024, she brought more than just a crown—she brought a mission. In this episode of the PQI Podcast, Madison shares the deeply personal story behind her advocacy for cancer awareness and early detection. A Harvard student, founder of the Whitney Marsh Foundation, and first active duty military member to be crowned Miss America, she is turning personal loss into powerful change—and inspiring others to do the same.
Following her keynote at the NCODA Spring Forum, Madison opens up about how losing her mother to pancreatic cancer at a young age became the catalyst for her work. She founded the Whitney Marsh Foundation to drive progress in early detection, research, and education. Now pursuing a Master in Public Policy at Harvard, her focus is on improving access to care and exploring the role of artificial intelligence in transforming cancer diagnostics.
Madison reflects on her journey through service, science, and pageantry—and how each part of her path fuels her mission to advocate for others. She reminds us that regardless of background or title, everyone has the power to lead, inspire, and work toward better healthcare outcomes.