The Maddy Institute launches rebrand to strengthen regional impact 

The Maddy Institute, offering leadership development, civic engagement and public policy analysis in the San Joaquin Valley for over 25 years, announced a comprehensive rebrand that reflects its expanded reach, renewed mission and ongoing commitment to the region. 

The rebranding includes a refreshed logo, modernized digital presence and an upcoming website launch that will strengthen its visibility and accessibility across all eight counties it serves.

“The Maddy Institute’s refreshed brand is a tribute to the legacy of Ken Maddy we uphold, and a commitment that we will continue to be the San Joaquin Valley’s premier public policy institute for generations to come,” said Blake Zante, executive director of The Maddy Institute and a Fresno State alumnus. “We remain steadfast in our mission to prepare future leaders, inspire civic engagement and provide nonpartisan policy analysis to address the unique challenges of the San Joaquin Valley.”

Created by the California Legislature in honor of the late Senator Kenneth L. Maddy, known for his integrity, bipartisanship and dedication to public service, The Maddy Institute’s mission is to honor Maddy’s vision of creating future leaders with the values of effective and collaborative governance.

The rebrand introduces  a modernized website, offering new tools and features designed to benefit the community, policy makers and students alike. Valley residents will gain access to user-friendly resources such as a representative locator to better connect the community with  elected officials. For policy makers and students, the institute’s strengthened partnerships with the California State University campuses in Bakersfield, Fresno and Stanislaus, and the University of California, Merced, will continue to drive leadership development and provide meaningful opportunities for future Valley leaders.

A new identity for a stronger regional impact

As The Maddy Institute evolved to encompass partnerships with these four public universities, the need for a refreshed identity became evident, Zante said. “The rebrand expands the institute’s reach to the entire San Joaquin Valley, modernizes its digital presence and showcases its role as the premier public policy institute for the region,” he said.

Elevating The Maddy Institute’s impact

For the community: The updated website will offer interactive tools, including a representative locator, making it easier for Valley residents to engage in the democratic process, Zante said. Streamlined navigation and mobile-friendly design will ensure greater accessibility to resources, public affairs programming and voter information.

For policy makers: The Maddy Institute’s enhanced resources provide elected officials and public managers with nonpartisan, data-driven insights to make informed decisions. With access to comprehensive policy analysis and regional data, elected officials can better address the unique challenges the Valley faces and create solutions that reflect the needs of the region’s diverse communities, Zante said. 

For students: The rebrand highlights The Maddy Institute’s unique role as a leadership development hub, providing internship opportunities that prepare the next generation of Valley leaders, Zante said. Collaborations with the Valley’s universities will provide opportunities for  students to gain hands-on experience in the policy making arena.

“Through our rebrand, we are strengthening our ability to inspire and support future leaders while empowering our community to engage with policy in meaningful ways,” said Melissa Frank, chair of The Maddy Institute’s board of directors and alumna of the institute’s legislative internship program. “This new identity will better reflect the innovative, collaborative and impactful work we do every day.”