SERVICE leadership
Richelle was elected to the Dane County Board in April 2020, and represents district 11 on Madison’s near west side. She is energized by working directly with constituents to make local government more accessible, and bringing collaborative problem-solving to complex local issues.
Richelle’s priorities
Richelle brings the energy, creativity, and fresh perspective needed to invest thoughtfully in Dane County’s neighborhoods, with a passion to ensure that programs and services meet the needs of all families. She believes that the Board must prioritize coordination across local government agencies and organizations that serve our communities. Proactive engagement with residents and infusing diverse voices into local decision-making are also key to her platform. The Dane County Board is not always the most visible local body, but a lot can be done to make sure that residents know who to contact, about what, and how their tax dollars are spent.
Contact
Richelle4DaneCounty@gmail.com | (414) 469-6664
Let’s get personal…
service
Service is important to Richelle. After college, she worked with children and families in a California AmeriCorps program for two years (similar to the domestic version of the PeaceCorps). As a volunteer coordinator, Richelle worked with elementary-aged youth, developed trainings and lessons plans, and was often the first point of contact for families with student concerns or program questions. Through this experience, she learned a lot about leadership, privilege, and the difference a person can make by paying attention and building true relationships.
Today, Richelle continues to be an active and engaged member of the community she calls home. In the last several years, she has volunteered to answer a survivor help line at the Rape Crisis Center, served on Madison’s Equal Opportunities Commission, and as a Board member for a UW-Madison alumni committee. In the last few years, Richelle has also volunteered as a Spanish medical interpreter at Meriter hospital, served as the Dudgeon-Monroe Neighborhood Association Transportation Chair and Vice-President, and rang hundreds of doorbells for local and statewide Democrats running for office.
the good stuff
When not out and about knocking on doors, Richelle can usually be found within hiking distance of a campsite, trying to find a hole-in-the-wall family diner, visiting Odana Dog Park with her 6-year old rescue pup, Roux (apple of her eye!), or listening to a podcast like WPR Politics, Planet Money, or The Weeds. Occasionally, she admits, a reality TV recap podcast will make it into the mix, too.
Here, she’s just completed the ‘Book Across the Bay’ near Ashland, Wisconsin, trudging across 10K of frozen lake at sunset, surrounded by dragons made of ice, bonfire soirees, and the best of friends. Believe it or not, it’s an annual highlight!
day job
Richelle is committed to both high-level systems change and addressing the local issues that create barriers for families seeking an opportunity to thrive. Richelle works in advocacy with state and federal policymakers to advance health care access and affordability for underserved individuals through the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association, the membership group for Wisconsin’s Federally Qualified Health Centers. Richelle is the organization’s lobbyist, advancing efforts in the state Capitol around stabilizing Medicaid and increasing the state’s rural health care workforce to serve under-represented populations.
Prior to this role, she worked in various health policy and research positions with the UW Madison Population Health Institute, Wisconsin Medicaid, and Public Health Madison & Dane County. For two years, Richelle was a Youth Employment Specialist with a local-nonprofit, working with both underserved teens and local businesses to identify early employment opportunities. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UW-Madison, most recently at the La Follette School of Public Affairs.
family
Richelle has lived in Madison for over 10 years, and grew up in the suburbs of Milwaukee. She also lived in Spain for 16 months and the Bay Area of California for three years. Her parents are retired and living in Door County, Wisconsin. When visiting, she will never pass up the opportunity to host a fish boil, visit the local bird sanctuary, find resale store gems or bake fresh bread with her mom (Marji), or help create a new trail with her dad (Dan).
Richelle’s parents instilled in her a love of adventure, appreciation for nature stewardship, strong sense of commitment, and a healthy sense of humor. They are her biggest fans!