PRESIDENT

Elisabeth (Lis) Kuisis is a Wisconsin native, born and raised in Milwaukee, and has called Madison home since 2003. Lis has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Women’s Studies (now called Gender Studies) with a Certificate of Environmental Studies and Master of Science degree in Urban and Regional Planning with a focus on ecological land use planning, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lis started with the Department of Natural Resources in 2001 and has worked in the department in various capacities for the last 23 years working with diverse audiences throughout Wisconsin. Currently, she is a Grant Program Manager with the Community Financial Assistance Program administering several environmental grant programs. At one point in her DNR tenure, she was the Director of Green & Healthy Schools Wisconsin, a DNR-DPI partnership program providing information, resources and support for school staff, community members and others interested in green and healthy initiatives and activities for Wisconsin's public and private schools. Lis is a parent of a current BRMS 7th grader and a BRMS alumni 11th grader at LaFollette in the STEM Academy. Lis is eager to give back to the BRMS community and contribute to our charter renewal efforts. She is approaching this opportunity to serve the Badger Rock Community in the same way she approaches any endeavor: with 100% enthusiastic dedication. 

VICE PRESIDENT

Hello, I'm Quentin Riser, but you can call me "Q." Alongside my partner Jess, with whom I've shared a journey for 8 years, we're proud parents to three amazing children: Eden, who's 6 and a fashionista, Naz, our 3-year-old mini-me, and Jordy, who's so sweet and nearly 2. As an assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Human Ecology, I'm deeply committed to ensuring every child, regardless of their birth circumstances, has access to exceptional care and education. What truly excites me about BRMS is its vibrant culture, where innovation is the norm, not the exception. The instructors and administrators set a high bar for creativity and forward-thinking, and the students? They're simply remarkable. Their energy and potential are boundless, and I eagerly anticipate the impact they'll make in Madison and the world at large.

TREASURER

Mario Garcia Sierra is originally from Guatemala City, Guatemala. He moved to Madison in 2003, hoping to continue his higher education goals. Mario has been working with Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) since 2012. In June of 2022 he became the Director of the Residential and Community Service area. In his role, he oversees a vibrant and diverse team of eight people dedicated to promoting energy efficiency and conservation through innovating approaches centered around equity. Prior to MGE, Mario worked for Centro Hispano. He later had the honor to be part of the Board of Directors from 2014 to 2020. Mario is a father of an 8 th grade Badger Rock scholar. He is committed to supporting public education and contributing to a vibrant and sustainable community. Mario has been involved in many community efforts and organizations in the Madison area.

SECRETARY

Greetings All. Nan Youngerman here. I am proud to be a founding member of the Badger Rock Middle School Community, working since 2010 to create a school embedded in a neighborhood center that brings people together around common values of Place, Sustainability, Cultural Relevance and Inquiry/Design. I enjoy the challenge of supporting BRMS as it evolves, always reflecting the contributions of many partners, dedicated staff, students and families. My hope for students is that they practice being resilient during their middle school years and use that skill as a gift for the rest of their lives.  During my teaching career, I joyfully taught at Orchard Ridge, Falk & Crestwood Elementary as well as Cherokee & Spring Harbor Middle Schools. During those years I was recognized for innovative teaching practices and excellence in the teaching of Science / Math with a national Presidential Teaching Award. I worked on Teacher Action Research in the Madison Schools and nationally to help teachers seek answers to their own questions, which they believed would help them become more powerful professionals. I enjoy connecting with former students, some of whom are working in the Madison Schools and with the wonderful energy of today's learners. Always and always: I believe an emphasis on creativity, critical thinking and strong independent learning skills plants the seeds for a lifetime of success. I enjoy giving back to my community and I love traveling, biking, cooking and time with my friends and family, including four grandsons ages 3, 5, 6 & 8. They all keep me young. 

COMMUNITY

Hi everyone! My name is Candace Enis and I am a Police Officer with the City of Madison. I have been working in this role since May of 2020, with lots of years left. I worked Patrol and since May of 2023, I have been working in the CORE (Community Outreach Resource Education) Unit and I am the Southside Liaison Officer. In my off time you can find me reading or playing with my kids. I have two kids, a 2-year-old little boy and a 6 year old little girl. On Friday’s I join Badger Rock Middle School during their lunch/outside period and do different activities with the kids (Football, DoubleDutch, etc.) I am new to the BRMS Governance Council, and I look forward to bringing a different perspective and outlook as well as learning more about the amazing things they do that shapes and betters BRMS.

COMMUNITY

David Ahmann: UW graduate with a BS in History. Taught at the Work Learning Center for Madison Public Schools as my practicum location for my teaching certificate. I was hired by Landmark schools in Los Angeles in 1985, a school specifically for dyslexics. I then moved to Los Angeles Unified and taught in the Watts neighborhood in south central LA for 2 years at Locke High School. A career change happened when I moved to Santa Fe, NM as a newlywed in 1989. I started in the financial services industry. I returned with my wife and family to Madison in 1995 and started a financial planning practice with Raymond James. I have been honored to work on the Badger Rock Governance Council for 7 years. You may see me around Madison on the bike paths as I am an avid cyclist.

ROOTED/BRNC PARTNER REPRESENTATIVE & COMMUNITY

Hedi Rudd is the Deputy Director of Community Engagement and the Director of Badger Rock Neighborhood Center. She is a Madison resident who has been an active community organizer since being appointed to Mayor Bauman’s Task Force on Relations in 1998. In 2001, she joined Bauman’s staff as the Study Circle on Race Relation’s Coordinator, a program recommended by the task force. Hedi served on the City of Madison Equal Opportunities Commission, Madison Food Policy Council, Overture Center Community Advisory Board, Community Shares of Wisconsin Board and the United Way of Dane County Community Engagement Committee. Hedi was a staff member of the City of Madison Affirmative Action Department, prior to the creation of the Office of Civil Rights and was the Promise Zone Coordinator for the Urban League of Greater Madison.  After living in Las Vegas for 6 years, where she worked at Nevada Cancer Institute in various Executive Administrative positions, she returned to Madison and community organizing in 2011.  An avid photographer, Hedi is often seen at community events telling the story of communities of color through her lens for UMOJA Magazine, Capital City Hues, Madison365 and Love Wisconsin. Hedi is the 2019 recipient of Forward Community Investments Nan Cheney March for Justice Award and is a graduate of the UW Odyssey Project and Upstart. 

PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Badger Rock Middle School! 

As your principal, I look forward to partnering with you! It takes a village, and I am excited and honored to be a part of the Badger Rock village! During my time at Badger Rock, I have seen firsthand the dedicated staff, families, and community members committed to sustaining a school that provides deep and meaningful learning experiences for all students. I am committed to cultivating a deep sense of connection and belonging where all students feel welcomed, safe, and included. We will prioritize communicating our mission and core values while managing the tensions between adopting and implementing innovative practices (i.e., project-based learning and environmental justice) within the larger traditional school system. As your principal, I will work closely with the community to listen to and uplift the voices of our scholars, families, and staff to ensure our collective voice is heard and valued!