Each week, #SpanningtheNeed will present an “Inspirational Person of the Week’ and have a “Q & A” with one of its many gifted individuals and/or groups who are willing to go out of their own way to help others. This week’s featured is Madison Tromler from WFMJ.
Name: Madison Tromler
Position: 6pm Anchor/Reporter
Organization: 21 WFMJ-TV
BIO: Madison Tromler is from Northeast Ohio and has been anchoring and reporting for 21 WFMJ for a little over five years. She graduated with honors from Kent State University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, where she got her start early, working at The Chronicle-Telegram newspaper in Elyria and interning at WKYC in Cleveland on the Assignment Desk. Those early experiences gave her a strong foundation in writing, news judgment, and the fast pace of a newsroom.
Over time, she’s earned recognition in the community. Madison received the Voice for Women award after being nominated as a Woman of Impact by the Ohio American Heart Association, was named an honoree in the Mahoning Valley Young Professionals’ 25 Under 35 class, and was recognized by the Youngstown Press Club with the Excellence in Media Award. She also earned an Emmy nomination for in-depth reporting on a 21 News special program called 101 West.
What made you want to go into this field?
I’ve always been deeply curious about people and the world around me. I’ve loved storytelling for as long as I can remember – whether it’s through writing, creating, or bringing meaningful stories to life. Journalism felt like a natural way to combine those passions with a real sense of purpose. I’m drawn to stories that can move people, spark thought and connect us on a deeper level.
What’s the biggest factor that has helped you be successful?
My family’s support has meant everything and they’ve always believed in me in me no matter what. Along with that, hard work, integrity, attention to detail and soaking up everything I could learning and interning in college helped me. Being teachable and always trying to improve is a mindset I’ve carried throughout my career.
What is the biggest professional mistake you made along the way?
I don’t know if there’s one professional mistake that stands out for me, but I’ve made many mistakes, and I think “failure” on any level is key to success. It allows you to learn and build confidence and trust within yourself because you can take something new away from every mistake you make. I see it as an opportunity to adjust my approach or learn something – and I think it has made me better.
What is the hardest decision you ever had to make in this field?
Deciding which opportunities to pursue and where I want to build my career has required me to really trust my gut. In this industry, those decisions shape so much of your path, and learning to follow intuition has been key.
If you could start all over again, what would you do differently regarding your profession?
I don’t think I would change my overall path, but I do wish I’d studied abroad during broaden my perspective even more.
What inspires you to do good in our community?
The people. Everyone has a story, and often, they’re going through more than you realize. Reporting has shown me how one story can hold institutions accountable or bring an issue to light that impacts real lives. Seeing that firsthand inspires me to keep that momentum going.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering in our community?
I love meeting people, hearing their stories and learning from their experiences. Volunteering creates space to connect on a more personal level outside of the newsroom, and that’s always meaningful.
What song best describes you or is the soundtrack to your life?
I love the song “Long Live” by Taylor Swift. It’s about cherishing the work, the people and the moments you’ve fought for.
What is your best accomplishment/experience in life?
Being promoted to anchor the 6 p.m. newscast early in my career is something I’m really proud of. I graduated during the pandemic, started as a general assignment reporter shooting and editing my stories daily, and the shortly after I began my career, I stepped into an anchor role while continuing investigative and long-form reporting on top of the general assignment reporting I still do on a daily basis. It’s a lot of work, but I enjoy how it keeps me on my toes.
Who is your role model and why?
My mom and dad. They are both the hardest workers I know. My mom is my biggest supporter and a constant source of strength. She leads with kindness, lifts me up and keeps me grounded. Same with my dad. He always trusts my judgement and the decisions I make. They both have made me feel like I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.
If there was one person that you would like to meet, past or present, and why?
Taylor Swift. She’s stayed grounded despite immense success and scrutiny. She is incredibly hardworking, and has always stayed true to who she is. I admire that a lot.
