leadership & Community

Overview of Madison Public Market Foundation staff, leadership, and board.

Modern black and white Madison Public Market building exterior with landscaping

meet the foundation staff

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.

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.

Madison Public Market brown logo

our leadership

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.

Keisha Harrison, Chief Executive Officer

Steve Sisson serves as the Operations Manager for the Madison Public Market, where he is responsible for managing operational services and overseeing the organizations that keep the building running smoothly.

He brings a diverse wealth of local management experience to the role, including nine years working in administration at UW-Madison. Additionally, Steve has honed his leadership and logistical skills by running operations at his childhood summer camp and helping produce local theater productions right here in Madison. His goal is to make the market a welcoming, vibrant space for merchants, vendors and guests alike.

Steve Sisson, Operations Manager

Operational Partners

Portrait photo of a Madison Public Market team member

Stacey Diehl -Intentional purpose events-
Events Manager

-TrueFinish Edge- 
Custodial Services

Abstract pink and orange gradient circle logo

-Speak.Studio-
Advertising Management

Signal company logo in blue and orange

-Signal security-
security services

foundation Board members

Nichole Crust

Director of Entrepreneurship at WEDC

Matt Koenig

Thoughtworks

Larry Palm

(Treasurer) Madison Metropolitan School District

Anya Firszt

(President), General Manager, Willy St. Co-op

Char Smith

(Vice President), Business Community Manager, MG&E

Adam Haen

(Secretary), Small Business Consultant, Mad Llama, LLC.

Peter Robertson

Entrepreneur

Erik Larson

Center for Community Stewardship

The Foundation manages the day-to-day operations of the Market. The Foundation leads vendor selection, the employee hiring process, applies for grants, and works closely with the City on the architectural design.

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