Title
Report of the Mayor submitting resident committee appointments (introduction 3-10-2026; action 3-24-2026).
Body
I hereby submit, for your consideration and approval, the following resident committee appointments.
*2/3 vote required for confirmation of non-city residents.
Pursuant to Sec. 3.30(2) of the Madison General Ordinances, “…provision shall not apply to a member of or candidate for appointment to a City of Madison board, committee or commission where, in the judgment of the Mayor and two-thirds (⅔) of the Common Council, the best interests of the City will be served by the appointment of a non-resident member who is particularly well qualified by reasons of education, background, and experience with Madison business concerns or other Madison-based employers and the Mayor specifies fully to the Common Council the reasons why he or she is recommending such appointment.”
COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE
*DAVITA P. WALKER, Fitchburg - appoint to the position of Social Service Needs Representative.
TERM EXPIRES: 4-20-2027
Rationale: Davita Walker is a certified peer support specialist and recovery coach with Safe Communities. She has worked in the human services field for over ten years including time with the Salvation Army as shelter support staff.
DISABILITY RIGHTS COMMISSION
MISO KWAK (2nd A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term to the position of Adult City Resident succeeding Nakia Wiley. Miso Kwak is a Ph.D. candidate studying Special Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has experience teaching children with disabilities and has served on UCLA’s University Committee on Disability.
TERM EXPIRES: 4-30-2028
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES COMMISSION
MICHELLE GARCIA SMITH (15th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term and to a full three-year term to the position of Adult City Resident succeeding Brian Benford. Michelle Garcia Smith is a bilingual child care licensing specialist with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
CURRENT TERM EXPIRES: 4-21-2026
NEXT FULL TERM EXPIRES: 4-17-2029
DIAMOND A. BLACK (6th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term and to a full three-year term to the position of Adult City Resident succeeding Araceli Esparza. Diamond Black is an operations manager at the Urban League of Greater Madison. She is actively engaged in the community and is a member of several bodies including the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.
CURRENT TERM EXPIRES: 4-21-2026
NEXT FULL TERM EXPIRES: 4-17-2029
HOUSING POLICY COMMITTEE
SHARON G. JOHNSON (14th A.D.) - appoint to the position of Resident Member. Sharon Johnson is a contractor with 1000 Friends of Wisconsin. She has worked to support housing stability and was the lead organizer for Madison for More Neighbors.
TERM EXPIRES: 4-30-2027
JOINT CAMPUS AREA REVIEW COMMITTEE
JANE M. RICHARD (4th A.D.) - appoint to the remainder of a three-year term to the position of Capitol Neighborhood Resident Representative succeeding Ronald Luskin. Jane Richard is a retired UW administrator and librarian. She is a long-time Capitol neighborhood resident and has been on the neighborhood association for 26 years.
TERM EXPIRES: 5-1-2027
MADISON’S CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID) BOARD
Note: Per the Business Improvement District [BID] Operating Plan as approved by the Common Council, “Wisconsin Statutes section 66.1109(3) (a) requires that the Board be composed of at least five members and that a majority of the Board members shall either own or occupy real property in the District. If the actual property or business owner is an entity, that entity shall designate a representative to act on its behalf.”
JASON E. SALUS (18th A.D) - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of Capitol Square Area - Commercial Property or Business Owner. First appointed 4-25-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 1-18-2029
*EMILY GRUENEWALD, Edgerton - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of Tax Exempt Entity Representative. First appointed 4-25-2023.
TERM EXPIRES: 1-18-2029
Rationale: Emily Gruenewald is a Co-CEO and Chief Development Officer for the Overture Center for the Arts. In addition, she is a member of the Downtown Rotary and has served on the DMI Quality of Life Committee and the Bartell Theater Foundation Board.
VICTOR VILLACREZ (4th A.D.) - reappoint a three-year term to the position of Downtown Resident. First appointed 10-30-2018.
TERM EXPIRES: 1-18-2029
JOSHUA D. BERKSON (6th A.D.) - reappoint to a three-year term to the position of King Street Area - Commercial Property or Business Owner. First appointed 2-13-2024.
TERM EXPIRES: 1-18-2029
Respectfully submitted,
Satya Rhodes-Conway
Mayor