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Leadership

Madison Public Market Foundation Staff

Keisha Harrison, Chief Executive Officer

Keisha Harrison is the inaugural CEO of the Madison Public Market Foundation. A native of Chicago, she is a dynamic leader with extensive experience in project management, strategic planning, and change management, most recently serving as the Executive Director of the historic Indianapolis City Market. Recognizing the importance of having a third place, Keisha is excited about the opportunity to help create a new tradition for Madison’s public market, envisioning it as a cherished space where generations come together. Keisha’s leadership style emphasizes fairness, encouragement, compassion, and empathy, values that have guided her through significant changes and crises. As CEO, Keisha is committed to fostering positive stakeholder relationships and promoting growth through innovative strategies, aiming to make a lasting impact on the Madison community.

Community Leadership

Community is at the center of the Madison Public Market. For nearly two decades, community leaders have been working on bringing the Public Market to Madison. The City of Madison has partnered with the Madison Public Market Foundation to help make our Market a reality.

Check out what community leaders are saying about our Public Market!

Madison Public Market Foundation

In May of 2017, the Madison Public Market Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, was created to lead the fundraising efforts and community engagement during the Public Market development phase. Once the doors open, the Foundation will manage the day-to-day operations of the Market. The Foundation will lead vendor selection, the employee hiring process, apply for grants, and work closely with the City on the architectural design.

The Madison Public Market Foundation Board members include:

Javier Acevedo, Chief Development Officer & Managing Director of Operations, Wisconsin Latino Chamber of Commerce (WLCC), Latino Economic Gateway (WLEDC)
Nathan Acevedo, Business Development Specialist, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Sujhey Beisser (Secretary), Park Bank & Five Senses Palate
Karen Crossley (President), Community Leader
Nichole Crust, gBETA Urban League Director at gener8tor
Anya Firszt, General Manager, Willy St. Co-op
Adam Haen, Small Business Consultant, Mad Llama, LLC.
Vanessa Ineza, Regional Economic Development Director at Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
Sarah Larson, Director, Food Finance Institute
Larry Palm, Madison Metropolitan School District
Anne Reynolds, Madison Public Market Development Committee
James Shulkin, Artist
Willa Aldstadt, (Treasurer), Retired
Jamaal Stricklin, SuperCharge! Foods
Amanda White, Amanda White Consulting

Madison Public Market Foundation Committees and Workgroup are:

    • Arts & Cultural Expression, James Shulkin, Lead
    • Business Development/Fundraising, Amanda White & Nathan Acevedo, Co-Leads
    • City Interface, Anne Reynolds, Lead
    • Executive Committee, Karen Crossley, Lead
    • Finance Committee, Willa Alstadt, Lead
    • Marketing & Communications, Nathan Acevedo, Lead
    • Personnel, Anne Reynolds, Lead
    • Search Committee, Karen Crossley, Lead
    • Vendor/TruStage/Operations, Nichole Crust & Javier Acevedo, Co-Leads

We encourage those who are interested in getting involved, to join one of our workgroups and committees. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

Madison Public Market Advisory Council

In the past, a group of diverse community leaders and supporters became  the Madison Public Market Ambassador Advisory Council. They provided expertise and guidance to the Madison Public Market Foundation. Their contributions are sincerely appreciated. They are:

  • Betty Banks, African American community historian and organizer
  • Craig Bartlett, Associate Publisher-Owner, Isthmus Publishing
  • Peter Cavi, First Vice President, Merrill Lynch
  • Al Cooper, Coordinator, Dane Dances
  • Suzanne Fanning, VP of Marketing Communications, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
  • Greg Frank, VP of Community Relations, Food Fight Restaurant Group
  • Peter Gray, Executive Search Consultant
  • Alison Helland, Attorney, Boardman & Clark
  • Jonny Hunter, Co-Founder, Underground Food Collective
  • Ken Monteleone, Owner, Fromagination
  • Helen Sarakinos, Executive Director, REAP Food Group
  • Trey Sprinkman, Owner, Sprinkman Real Estate
  • Steve Suleski, VP Board Relations, CUNA Mutual Group
  • Missy Tracy, Municipal Relations Coordinator, Ho Chunk Nation/Ho Chunk Casino

“I just love supporting our LOCAL business owners! Hearing that the Public Market was coming to Madison was so exciting. It’s so awesome knowing I’d have the opportunity to experience a variety of local vendors in one spot! Personally, I look forward to bringing my family, knowing the quality the Madison Public Market will bring… It just feels good.” - Suzanne N. Johnson, Vice President Branch Banking, Park Bank

See What People are Saying
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