Every year since our founding in 2015, we have recognized Wisconsin’s most influential Black and Latino leaders, and we are very proud now to also begin to recognize Indigenous and Asian American leaders. These lists have become the most anticipated thing we do.
Every year, I’ve intended these lists to highlight the beauty of the diversity across our state. I want young people here in Wisconsin to see role models who are succeeding, to know that it’s possible for people of color to achieve great things here.
This week, for the 10th time, we shine a statewide spotlight on the dedicated leaders of Wisconsin’s Black community. The people we highlight this week are elected leaders, business leaders and community leaders, doing difficult, important work. We are also aware that this list, like every other, is not comprehensive. There are, without a doubt, more than 40 influential Black leaders doing good work in Wisconsin. We hope you will let us know about people in your community whom we can include on future lists. For now, though, we just want to introduce you to a few of the people doing the work, often behind the scenes and without the accolades, across Wisconsin.
You might know a few of these names, but there’s a good chance that most of them will be new to you. I urge you to get to know them. Reach out to those living and working in your communities. Learn from them, network, create partnerships. And spread the word — let others in your network know that we have people of all ethnicities living and working across Wisconsin to make this state a good and prosperous place for all.
Henry Sanders, Publisher, Madison365
Andrew Amouzou
Andrew Amouzou is a neighborhood reporter covering Green Bay for NBC26. A Chicago native, he studied broadcast journalism at Marquette. He worked as a news and sports reporter for the Marquette Wire, ultimately serving as executive director of the student news station MUTV as a senior. Andrew earned a number of accolades from the Milwaukee Press Club, Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association, Society of Professional Journalists, and the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, which included the 2023 Student Leadership Award. He also co-founded the Advancement & Guidance for Journalists of Color, a focus group for students of color to build networking in the journalism world.
Charles Tubbs
Charles Tubbs is director of Dane County Emergency Management, where he leads a department responsible for Dane County’s effective disaster response and recovery efforts in support of local governments and the Dane County Emergency Management programs. Tubbs took on the County role in 2012 upon retiring after 40 years in law enforcement. He previously served as deputy chief and interim chief for the Beloit Police Department, administrator of the State of Wisconsin Division of Juvenile Corrections and chief of the Wisconsin State Capitol Police.He was appointed to the State of Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. He serves as an honorary commander of the 115th Fighter Wing Civil Engineer Squadron in the Wisconsin Air National Guard. He serves nationally as an adjunct instructor, observer and controller for the United States Department of Homeland Security and FEMA Integrated Emergency Management Courses. Tubbs is vice president of 100 Black Men of Madison and a board member for Restoring Roots, and founded Beloit’s Midnight Basketball program. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration from Mount Senario College.
DeVona Wright Cottrell
DeVona Wright Cottrell is chief legal officer and general counsel for global experiential agency GMR Marketing and the Omnicom Experiential Group (OEG) more broadly. She serves as the agency’s key corporate legal advisor, oversees the agency’s legal and risk management teams, and acts as a partner to agency leadership. Previously, DeVona was director and associate general counsel of Robert W. Baird & Co, where she provided legal support to several of the firm’s corporate resource groups including Risk Management, Compliance and Facilities with regard to information security, privacy, regulatory and commercial real estate-related matters. DeVona is a mentor to many and serves in a number of professional organizations and civic activities, including board chair for TEMPO Milwaukee; WI steering committee member, board member of First Federal Bank of Wisconsin and Dr. Howard Fuller Collegiate Academy; Greater Milwaukee Committee Member; United Way of Greater Milwaukee and Waukesha County (UWGMWC) board member and co-chair of Diversity Leadership Society for UWGMWC; and special counsel for Greater New Birth Church. She was named 2021 Women of Influence Award from the Milwaukee Business Journal. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Jackson State, law degree from the University of Wisconsin and an MBA from the UW-Milwaukee Lubar School of Business.
Kyle Ashley
Kyle Ashley is Milwaukee County’s Director of Community Outreach, a role he took on in June after nearly three years as DEI consultant and professional development trainer at Share Collaborative. Over the course of a career in community engagement he has also served as director of Governor Tony Evers’ Milwaukee office, community engagement manager for Unite Us, community liaison and project development manager for RISE Youth and Family Services, and more than 10 years as a case manager and program coordinator for the Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership. He also serves on the boards of Safe and Sound and the Milwaukee Food Council, and previously served on the culture and engagement committee with Milwaukee Film, the advisory council of the United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, the Sherman Park BUILD Committee, and as board president of the Wauwatosa Virtual Academy.
Rayhainio Boynes
Rayhainio Boynes, better known as Ray Nitti, is a musician, activist and entrepreneur in Milwaukee. He is co-founder of Sharp Creatives, a consulting agency that connects the creative professional community to opportunities, platforms, and resources. In 2021, he became one of three investors, along with Que El-Amin and Mikal Wesley, in a $68 million real estate development in Milwaukee’s central city that is currently in the process of bringing 200 affordable apartments as well as commercial space to the heart of the city. Boynes attended Concordia University where he ran the student radio station.
Walter J. Lanier
Walter J. Lanier is founder of Great Lakes Urban Empowerment Solutions (GLUE), an organization focused on addressing urban challenges in the Great Lakes region. He also serves as the Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church in Milwaukee, where he has fostered an inclusive and service-oriented community. His leadership has extended to addressing mental health challenges through the MIRACLE Initiative, which connects faith-based and community leaders to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma. In nearly 14 years at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), Lanier spearheaded programs such as the Men of Color Initiative, aimed at supporting Black male students, and established the institution’s Counseling and Psychological Services department to ensure mental health resources are accessible to students. His community engagement has also extended to board leadership roles, including a stint as chair of the Milwaukee County Pension Board and service on the boards of Managed Health Services, Legacy Bank and Citizen Action of Wisconsin. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business at UW-Milwaukee, master of divinity degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary and a law degree from the University of Michigan.
Donna Brown-Martin
Donna Brown-Martin is director of the Milwaukee County Transportation Department, where she oversees two airports (Mitchell International and Timmerman), the 40 routes and 3,000 stops of the Milwaukee County Transit System, and maintenance and improvement of all transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, the vehicle fleet and more. She was appointed to the post by former County Executive Chris Abele in 2018 after 25 years with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, where she served as director of the Bureau of Planning and Economic Development. Prior to that, she assisted communities across the state in making sound transportation decisions and investments while leading the Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors. While serving in the Division of Motor Vehicles, she led field services and driver services. She has also held planning positions at WisDOT, including managing urban transportation planning for Southeast Wisconsin. Brown-Martin was recognized as Woman of the Year in 2004 by the Wisconsin Women’s Transportation Seminar. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Michelle Behnke
Michelle Behnke is an attorney at the Boardman Clark law firm in Madison, and president-elect of the American Bar Association. Prior to joining the firm, she was the principal of the firm Michelle Behnke & Associates, where her practice focused on business, real estate and estate planning. Michelle served as Treasurer of the ABA 2017-2020. Following her time as Treasurer, she chaired the ABA Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Profession. Michelle previously served on the ABA Board of Governors 2010-2013, including serving as Chair of Operations and Communications Committee of the Board. Michelle’s other ABA service includes Chair of the Investments Subcommittee, Chair of the Standing Committee on Bar Activities and Services, and member of the Standing Committee on Membership. Michelle served as the first Black president of State Bar of Wisconsin in 2004-05. Currently, Michelle serves on the University of Wisconsin Law School Board of Visitors and the University of Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association Board. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Capitol Bank and has previously served on the Boards of Dean Health Plan, Inc., and SSM Healthcare of Wisconsin. Michelle received her undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Economics and her law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Dr. Andrew P. Daire
Dr. Andrew P. Daire is the provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs, as well as a professor in educational psychology, at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). Dr. Daire brings 31 years of higher education experience to this role at UWM, including his most recent position as Dean of the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) from 2016-2023.. Prior to VCU, Dr. Daire served as the College of Education’s associate dean for research at the University of Houston. He also spent 13 years at the University of Central Florida, where he co-founded the university’s Marriage and Family Research Institute, among other accomplishments. Dr. Daire is a successful researcher and scholar, having received over $16 million in external funding to support his primary research area in family stability and economic mobility and his secondary research area in career development in STEM recruitment and retention. He has more than 80 professional publications, including national and international peer-reviewed journals, book chapters, and research briefs and reports. Dr. Daire holds a B.S. in Biology and M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida. He holds a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology and School Psychology (APA Accredited) from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.
Chauntel McKenzie
Chauntel McKenzie is founder of The PowHER Network. Founded in 2015, The PowerHER Network is a business strategy, marketing, organizational and fund development firm that also specializes in non-profit board governance, fundraising, grant writing, and large-scale event planning. While running that business, she has also served as director of marketing and fund development for the African American Leadership Alliance of Milwaukee, the chief operating officer and marketing director for America’s Black Holocaust Museum, and previously spent 16 years working her way up the ladder at AT&T. She was named a Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence in 2022. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management information systems from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
Dionna L. Gavin
Dionna L. Gavin is the director of diversity & inclusion for Froedtert Health. She leads internally facing efforts that include the development, implementation and integration of workforce and workplace DEI initiatives; the design and implementation of equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism educational offerings, and the oversight for Business Resource Groups and Diversity Action Teams’ strategic efforts. In previous roles over nearly 20 years at Froedtert, she was responsible for partnering with all levels of leadership to create systematic changes aimed at increasing staff & provider engagement, developing talent, and accelerating staff adoption of enterprise strategic initiatives and projects. She earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Carroll University and a master’s degree in adult education and organizational development from Alverno College, and attended the African American Leadership Program at Cardinal Stritch University.
Gary Davis
Gary Davis is youth employment coordinator at Briarpatch Youth Services, an organization in Madison that supports at-risk youth, especially from marginalized communities. A survivor of prostate cancer, Davis is also a member of the African American Cancer Community Advocacy Board, an outspoken advocate for cancer survivors, and a music promoter.
Kyle Wallace
Kyle Wallace is director of content for 101.7 The Truth, a radio platform that reflects Milwaukee’s Black community which he built from the ground up when Good Karma Brands launched the station in 2020. He is also an on-air host on ESPN Wisconsin. Wallace started his career as a freshman in college working for the UW-Whitewater college radio station 91.7 The Edge (WSUW-FM) and TV station UWWTV. He was named Wisconsin Broadcasters Association’s Young Professional of the Year in 2023.He is a 2012 graduate of UW-Whitewater with a degree in broadcast journalism, and earned a master’s degree in sports administration at Central Michigan University.
Scott Brown
Scott Brown is corporation counsel for Milwaukee County, a post he was appointed to in July 2024. He joined the corporation counsel’s office in 2018 as Assistant Corporation Counsel, served as Deputy Corporation Counsel since 2021, and has been Acting Corporation Counsel since March of this year. While serving as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Milwaukee, Brown was the primary counsel to its health department during the COVID-19 crisis and successfully led the legal team defending the City of Milwaukee’s Election Commission in litigation following the 2020 Presidential Election. His career began with six years as a public defender in the City of Philadelphia, where he represented the city’s indigent population in criminal trials. He earned a bachelor’s degree at Wake Forest and a law degree at Rutgers.
Dr. Yolanda Shelton-Morris
Dr. Yolanda Shelton-Morris is a community resources manager for the City of Madison, where she develops policies, executes program planning, project management and evaluation to improve outcomes for children, youth, families, neighborhoods and communities. She is also a lecturer at the UW-Madison School of Social Work and owner of Divine Design & Organization, where she helps families and small businesses create, simplify, and sustain a productive and comfortable work or living space by providing professional, creative and hands-on organizing assistance. She joined the city of Madison after more than 10 years of service to the state at the Departments of Administration and Children and Family Services. She volunteers as an advisory board member of Madison Community Foundation’s Fund for Women, and a member of the board of directors of Serve Wisconsin. She previously served as as member of the board of Domestic Abuse Intervention Services. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Upper Iowa University, a master’s degree in social work from UW-Madison and a doctoral degree in social work from the University of Louisville.
Mark Edmond
Mark Edmond is executive director of the Family Service Association of Sheboygan, a role he took on earlier this year after almost two years as director of people & culture at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Sheboygan County. After graduating from Lakeland University in 2005, where he was a three-year starter on the football team, he played 10 years in the semi-pro MidStates Football League and worked with the YMCA in Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Ind., and Rockford, Ill. He returned to Lakeland in 2018 as director of residence life and cornerbacks coach, a role he continues to hold. He earned a master’s degree in leadership and organizational development at Lakeland in 2022.
This is the third of a five-part series. Part 1 is here and Part 2 is here.
Earl Arms
Earl Arms is a media and public relations strategist at Northwestern Mutual and host of Black Nouveau, an award-winning program offering messages that promote positive images, interviews and profiles of Black movers and shakers on Milwaukee PBS. He previously worked as director of communications for Milwaukee Public Schools and Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. He began his career as a sports and news anchor and reporter at television stations in Saginaw, Michigan; Milwaukee; and Jackson, Mississippi. He holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW-Whitewater.
Michael Etheridge
Michael Etheridge is executive director of The Road Home Dane County, a nonprofit organization that addresses homelessness in the Madison area. He came to Madison in August after serving 10 years as the executive director of The Haven of Manitowoc County, Inc., a men’s homeless shelter, according to a press release from The Road Home, and under his leadership, The Haven made significant strides, serving 490 men and securing permanent housing for 70% of them. He also spearheaded a shared housing expansion, providing a crucial bridge for guests transitioning to permanent housing. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music at UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in leadership and organizational development from Lakeland University.
Anjoli Rashid
Anjoli Rashid is a senior director with Procter & Gamble and plant manager of P&G’s Green Bay Paper Products site, where she has overall leadership and multi-faceted responsibilities for the end-to-end production and shipping of the Charmin, Bounty and Puffs branded products produced at the Green Bay manufacturing facility. She has more than 20 years of experience with P&G spanning a variety of roles within engineering, supply chain, innovation, start-ups and manufacturing across 6 North American P&G sites. She is also chair of the board of Brown County United Way. She earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering and minor in biomedical engineering from Cornell University and master of business administration degree from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Flagler Business School.
Christopher Canty
Christopher Canty is a large enterprise account executive at consulting firm Gartner, where he partners with billion-dollar companies in southern Wisconsin. He has previously held sales roles at LinkedIn, Grainger, Office Depot and Kraft Foods. He also serves on the Madison College District Board and the board of directors for 100 Black Men of Madison. He received their Mentorship Award of Excellence in 2018. Canty earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Isaiah Ness
Isaiah Ness is founder of Sun Bear Industries, a consulting firm specializing in connecting Wisconsin’s Indigenous nations with renewable energy in order to lower costs and work toward energy sovereignty. His entrepreneurial journey began while he was still a student at UW-Milwaukee, where he co-founded Project Green Energy and the clothing brand Sun Bear Trading Company. He went on to launch solar energy sales firm Array Energy in 2022 before starting Sun Bear Industries in 2023. He earned a degree in economics from UW-Milwaukee in 2022.
Laura Jones
Laura Jones is director of the Diversity & Intercultural Center at Lawrence University. Laura began her professional career at the Boys and Girls Club as a Scholars on Target to Achieve Results (STAR) Coordinator, focusing on closing the opportunity gap for Black and African American students. This role ignited her commitment to supporting underrepresented communities, a passion that led her to join African Heritage, Inc. as the Social and Community Outreach Service Director after years of volunteering with the organization. She continues to serve with African Heritage, Inc. as a member and volunteer, and as a mentor with the organization Lovin’ the Skin I’m In, which focuses on connecting and uplifting Black and Brown girls in Northeast Wisconsin. Laura also plays a key role in Umoja, a conference for transracial adoptees and their families, where she develops children’s curricula and recruits local college students to participate as mentors. Laura is co-author of Teaching Beautiful, Brilliant Black Girls and an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Laura graduated with a degree in sociology from St. Norbert College and in May 2021, earned her Master’s Degree in Student Affairs Administration. Sheshe is currently pursuing her Doctoral Degree in Educational Management at Hampton University, reflecting her dedication to lifelong learning and leadership in higher education.
Tenisha Grimmer
Tenisha Grimmer is chief financial officer at Access Community Health Centers, where she started more than eight years ago as a senior accountant. Tenisha is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a Certified Health Care Financial Professional (CHFP), an Inclusion Institute Certified Diversity Practitioner (IICDP) through the People Company.. She has served on the Boards of NAMI Wisconsin and the YWCA and is currently on the Asset Committee of the YWCA and the Finance Committee for Wisconsin Health+.Tenisha earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Quincy University and recently graduated with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Lyle Banks
Lyle Banks is the Vice President and General Manager of Morgan Murphy Media in Madison, which owns CBS affiliate WISC-TV, TVW (My Network TV), Channel3000.com, Madison Magazine and Phase 3 Digital agency. He has announced his retirement at the end of 2024. Prior to Morgan Murphy Media, Mr. Banks’s career in media included stints as Vice President & General Manager of WGCL-TV & Peachtree TV in Atlanta; President & General Manager of NBC in Chicag; and President & General Manager of WAVY-TV in Norfolk, VA as well as CEO of Banks Broadcasting, an owner and operator of television Stations, Digital Spectrum, and the Idaho International Film Festival. Banks and his stations have been recipients of many awards and honors including those from the Associated Press, the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), NATAS (Emmys), the Edward R. Murrow Awards, and various state associations. Banks is currently a Board Member of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and Member of the Advisory Board of The UW Carbone Cancer Center. Banks is a New York native and a graduate of Carleton College in Minnesota.
Daniel Kigeya
Daniel Kigeya is principal of Madison West High School, where he leads a school of about 2,200 students and 130 teaching staff – and the school he graduated from in 1997. Initially set on a career in law, he earned a degree in legal studies at UW-Madison, then had a change of heart. He entered the UW School of Social Work while also running the PEOPLE precollege program back at West. After earning a master’s in social work, he went on to earn another master’s degree in educational leadership and policy analysis and got his first taste of educational administration as an associate principal in Verona and then principal at Sennett Middle School in Madison before returning to West.
Dr. Angie Hicks
Dr. Angie Hicks is assistant superintendent for secondary schools at the Madison Metropolitan School District. A product of Madison schools, she began her career there 34 years ago as a clerk/typist before going back to finish her degree at UW-Madison. She went on to teach at several schools in Madison including Whitehorse and Emerson and went on to administrative roles as assistant principal at Sherman Middle School and Hamilton Middle School. After earning a doctoral degree at Edgewood College, she became principal at James C. Wright Middle School, which she led for 10 years before stepping into the assistant superintendent role.
Dr. Joe Gothard
Dr. Joe Gothard is superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District, a role he took on earlier this year. A Madison native and product of Madison schools, he started his education career as a teacher and then dean of students at La Follette High School then principal of Toki Middle School and assistant superintendent for secondary schools before being named superintendent of schools in Burnsville, Minnesota in 2013. In 2017 he was named superintendent of St. Paul Public Schools and earned the titles of Superintendent of the Year both for Minnesota and nationally in 2023. He serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for Edgewood College and Board of Directors of the United Way of Dane County. He spent four years as president of the Minnesota Association of School Administrators. He holds bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Edgewood College.
Mark Chambers, Jr.
Mark Chambers, Jr. was elected to represent Milwaukee’s Second District as alder in 2022 in his first bid for elected office. Alderman Chambers grew up in the Westlawn Projects and is a lifelong resident of the Second District. After graduating from Bay View High School, Mark attended Milwaukee Area Technical College where he served as Vice President of the Black Student Union. He worked briefly as a Correctional Officer before entering the finance industry with Wells Fargo Bank, PNC Bank and Peoples State Bank. He has also worked as a business consultant for Community Related Training (CRT) in Milwaukee. He is also a member of the Greater Milwaukee African American Business Resource Group (GMAABRG) and an advisor for Governor Evers’ Financial Literacy Council where he continues to teach financial literacy courses for members of his community.
Nyra Jordan
Nyra Jordan is Associate Vice President of Community and Social Impact at American Family Insurance. As one of the founding directors of the American Family Insurance Institute for Corporate and Social Impact, she leads efforts to address major social challenges, including economic insecurity, educational disparities, systemic racism, mass incarceration, and climate change. In her role as Social Impact Investment Director, Nyra invests in high-impact social entrepreneurs, startups, and transformative public-private partnerships aimed at increasing access to opportunity, social equity, and financial mobility. Nyra’s work focuses on supporting individuals impacted by the criminal and civil justice system, believing in the power of people-centered technology solutions designed by and for those directly affected. She co-leads a coalition to bring funding to underrepresented founders in the justice tech sector, driving systemic change through innovation. She was chosen as Large Business Executive of the Year in the 365 Leadership Community Choice Awards in 2024. She holds an undergraduate degree in mass communications from the University of Wisconsin and master’s degrees in sociology and criminal justice administration from Valdosta State and social innovation from Edgewood College.
Tiffany Wynn
Tiffany Wynn is regional senior director of marketing at Ascension in Milwaukee. She stepped into that role early in 2024 after consulting independently for two and a half years on marketing and especially inclusive marketing practices. She previously served as vice president for marketing and communications at Carroll University, marketing director at Vivent Health and marketing manager at GPS Education Partners. She earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations at Mount Mary University and an MBA at Alverno College.
Kenneth Ginlack
Kenneth Ginlack is CEO and Executive Director of Serenity Inns, a drug treatment center for men in recovery. Before helping launch the organization in 2021 and opening its first facility in 2024, he served as the Director of Outpatient Programs for the Milwaukee County Behavior Health Division (BHD), and as an ad-hoc instructor at the University of Wisconsin Continuing Education extension program. At UW-Milwaukee, Ken instructs professionals on best practices for clinical supervision. He is the President of the Board of Directors for Revive Youth and Family Services, a Board member for SALS Recovery Houses & Coaching, and previously served as Vice President of the Board of Directors for Daystar Inc. Most recently, Ken was invited to become a member of the Milwaukee County Mental Health Board. Mr. Ginlack is a recipient of the President’s Award at Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC) for his academic achievements and outstanding work in the community. At the 2022 National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Wisconsin Annual Conference, Ken was honored with the IRIS Award for Outstanding Mental Health Professional. He earned his undergraduate degree from Upper Iowa University in human services and a graduate degree from Loyola University in social work.
Carmen Jeschke
Carmen Jeschke, CPA, is the vice president of finance and operations for the Madison Community Foundation. As chief financial officer, she has spearheaded the management and growth of the foundation’s $400 million in total assets. She brings a unique perspective to the foundation, leveraging over 20 years of accounting experience from multiple industries, including public, for-profit, and nonprofit organizations. Carmen received a BA in Journalism from San Diego State University and an associate degree in accounting from Madison College before becoming a CPA. She holds professional certifications in nonprofit management from the University of Reno and foundations of management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Anna Mercer
Anna Mercer is director of constituent services for Governor Tony Evers, a role she took on in the summer of 2023 after five years in the office of US Representative Gwen Moore as constituent liaison and outreach specialist, and as district executive assistant and scheduler. She began her career in government as a legislative aide for Milwaukee County, where she managed the offices of three County Board Supervisors. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations and affairs at Marquette and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from Northwestern.
Michael Miller
Michael Miller is a business development specialist for the City of Madison, where he provides one-on-one assistance to businesses and entrepreneurs seeking information and services through the City’s Office of Business Resources. He oversees a number of programs including the Commercial Ownership Assistance Program, the Public Market’s Market Ready Program, and has worked to forge a partnership between LISC Milwaukee and the City of Madison to sponsor future multicultural Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE). Prior to becoming a business development specialist in 2016, he served nearly seven years as the city’s grants administrator. Before joining the city he was an entrepreneur himself, owning and operating Kipp’s Down Home Cookin’ for nearly 13 years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from UW-Whitewater where he was an all-American football player.
Anthony Miller, Jr.
Anthony Miller, Jr. is the director of community engagement and equity for the Oshkosh Area School District. In this role, Miller collaborates with students, families, staff, and community partners to develop strategies that promote an inclusive culture, equitable opportunities, and celebration of the unique contributions across the OASD community. He joined the school district in 2023 after almost 10 years at Fox Valley Technical College, where he managed the Scholars for Success program and served as an African American recruitment and retention specialist. He is a 2013 graduate of UW-Oshkosh with a degree in communications and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership two years later.
Darrol Gibson
Darrol Gibson II is an experienced political operative who most recently worked as Wisconsin coalitions director for the presidential campaign of Kamala Harris. As a consultant, he has recently worked as campaign manager for Rep. David Bowen’s run for lieutenant governor, ran the Nicolet Forward Referendum campaign and administers the Sherman Park Housing Advancement Cooperative. He has previously served as Wisconsin state director for Run for Something and has worked on a variety of other campaigns from the county board to the presidency. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Marquette.
Dr. Torsheika Maddox
Dr. Torsheika Maddox is senior operations officer and chief of staff for the UW-Madison Division of Diversity, Equity, and Educational Achievement (DDEEA). She has worked for the university for over 18 years in a number of roles supporting contributions towards efforts to improve access, empower inclusive community, and enhance diversity, belonging, and equity for the university and greater Madison community. These roles have included leadership in research, direct student services for underserved student communities, education, data analysis and program evaluations, and leading organizational excellence. Dr. Maddox is also a proud member of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and an active member of the Madison Pentecostal Assembly where she also serves as Trustee. Recently, Dr. Maddox was also a key leader in supporting an ad hoc work group on the Black Experience with UW Madison. After earning a degree in sociology from Rutgers in 2006, she earned master’s degrees in sociology and population health and a doctoral degree in sociology, all from UW-Madison.
Julian Walters
Julian Walters is founder and CEO of Eminent Development Corporation, the lead developer on two major residential projects currently underway in Madison. Before becoming a Developer, Walters was a Realtor and manager of the Homebuyers 2.0 Program through the Urban League of Greater Madison, a program that successfully invested $5 million into Dane County, selling newly renovated homes to Black families. Following the role with the Urban League, he took a role with Commonwealth Development Corporation, a nationally recognized leader in the affordable housing space that specializes in utilizing federal tax credits to build multi-unit apartments. He was a member of the InBusiness 40 under 40 class for 2024 and the Forward 48 Cohort 2024. He is also founder and organizer of the annual Ju-Ju’s Block Party community event on Madison’s south side. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Alamaba A&M, a master of public administration degree from North Carolina Central and an MBA from Morgan State.
Rahsaan J. Dunn
Rahsaan J. Dunn is the manager of student development and engagement at Fox Valley Technical College, a role he took on two years ago after 12 years at Waukesha County Technical College, first as an academic advisor and then as assistant director of student life. He began his career in higher education as a minority recruitment coordinator and pre-college programs assistant director at UW-Platteville, where he earned both a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in education. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in education at Alverno College.
Sgt. Tommy Foy
Tommy Foy is a Sergeant with the Sun Prairie Police Department (SNPD), where he has served as a school resource officer and a district liaison officer. He initiated SNPD’s inaugural Youth Academy, which provides middle and high school students exposure to law enforcement training. Prior to SNPD, Sgt. Foy worked with the Dane County’s Sheriff’s Department for seven years and served eight years in the United States Navy supervising flight operations on the USS Wasp and USS Enterprise. Sgt. Foy also coaches youth basketball and football in the Sun Prairie area. He is the executive director of the Youth Basketball Association and Co-Founder of Saving Our Youth Lives, an organization aimed at engaging at-risk youth through basketball. Sgt. Foy holds a bachelor’s in general studies from Columbia College of Missouri and will be concluding an M.S. in Criminal Justice from UW-Platteville in the summer of 2025.
Who did we miss? Email [email protected] to let us know who should be on the list next year!
