Our Staff & Board
Brenda Konkel (she/her)
Executive Director
 Brenda has a long history of activism, advocacy and non-profit work in Madison for over 30 years. She has served on over 25 non-profit boards, worked with hundreds of staff and volunteers and has raised millions of dollars for various causes. She is a passionate believer that housing is a human right and that houselessness can be solved if there is the political will. She was instrumental in developing the city-owned campground run by Madison Street Medicine as well as the three tiny house villages for people experiencing houselessness that are self governed by members and residents of Occupy Madison.  She has a law degree from UW-Madison, was Executive Director of the Tenant Resource Center for 23 years, is a co-founder of the Social Justice Center, Occupy Madison, Inc. and the Affordable Housing Action Alliance. She is also a former Madison City Council member (2001-2009), blogger, WORT community radio and WYOU community television host and volunteer, videographer and editor. Outside of working or being an activist, she is a local music, camping and gardening enthusiast.
Crystal (she/her)
Outreach Specialist
Crystal is an experienced Case Manager, Certified Peer Specialist, and Parent Support Specialist with a strong commitment to advocacy, education, and community empowerment. A proud UW Odyssey Project Alumni, Crystal combines her professional expertise with her lived experiences to support underserved populations facing barriers related to housing, mental health, and family stability.Â
Her journey has shaped her resilience, compassion, and leadership inspiring her to continue promoting equity and positive change within her community. Through her work, Crystal remains dedicated to helping individuals achieve stability, confidence, and the resources they need to thrive.Â
Donna
Community Engagement Coordinator
Donna grew up in Chicago and graduated from Columbia College. Her lived experience left her with a deep understanding of the challenges unhoused people face. She loves bridging the gaps between people who want to help and those who need it. She is ecstatic to be a part of the Madison Street Medicine Team.Â
Elias (he/they)
Outreach Specialist
Elias is an Outreach Specialist who moved to Madison from California. He received a bachelor’s degree in American Studies with an emphasis in community Care & Public Health from the University of California, Davis and previously worked in harm reducation education, outreach, and research. Elias is committed to working towards low barrier and compassionate healthcare, and is excited to join the Madison Street Medicine team. In his free time, he enjoys reading fantasy novels, playing guitar, and spending time with his cat.
Gabriel
AmeriCorps State and National Member
Gabe is entering his first year as an AmeriCorps State and National service member at Madison Street Medicine. He lives in Waunakee, Wisconsin, and graduated from Ripon College in 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree and plans to graduate in December. Gabe has a passion for public service and is eager to serve the public while learning more about communities facing homelessness in Madison. He believes that in order to be an effective public servant, one needs to understand every community they are trying to serve and the challenges those communities face. In his free time, Gabe enjoys reading, spending time with friends, watching movies, and walking his dog.Â
Hatter
Outreach Peer Advocate
Hatter joined Madison Street Medicine in May of 2026. Having lived experience with homelessness and recovery of substance abuse, Hatter brings critical understanding and insight of the plight of our clients.Â
Jack (he/him)
Office Manager
 Jack was a previous AmeriCorps VISTA Volunteer who now helps facilitate the Madison Street Medicine office. He graduated from UW-Madison with a B.S. in Neurobiology and Psychology in 2024. He is excited to be working with the unhoused community in Madison where he grew up. In his free time he enjoys listening to music at the Union, playing video games, and spending time with friends. Â
Jamila (she/her)
AmeriCorps State and National Member
Jamila is entering her second year as an AmeriCorps member at Madison Street Medicine. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin- Madison in 2022 with a B.S. dual major in Genetics and Psychology with a Leadership Certificate. She is eager to continue to learn from MSM staff and the communities facing homelessness to better understand barriers to healthcare services, housing, and basic necessities and further engage in meaningful change in the community. In her free time, Jamila enjoys coaching soccer, running, hiking, coloring, and attending comedy shows.Â
Joanna, RN BSN
Outreach Nurse
 Joanna has worked as a nurse in the Madison area since graduating from UW-Madison with her BSN in 2011. Volunteering with Madison Street Medicine led to discovering a passion for working with individuals experiencing housing insecurity so she was thrilled to later join staff as an Outreach Nurse.
Jon (he/him)
Jon is originally from Chicago, coming to Madison for a Masters in Social Work Degree which he obtained in 2025. Having volunteered with the unhoused in Chicago and Madison, Jon is excited to be a part of the MSM team as a Case Workers and Outreach Specialist. In his free time Jon enjoys being lost as it makes everything an adventure, listening to music, and spending time with friends and his dog.Â
Kesia (she/her)
Outreach Specialist
Kesia is compassionate about advocacy and activism for unhoused persons. Kesia feels that the current housing systems impose many barriers, which contributes to housing instability and homelessness. She enjoys spending time painting, hanging with family, and naps. She is hoping to make it to Wheel of Fortune or any game show willing to give her a try. Â
LaRon
Outreach Specialist
LaRon is a down-to-earth outreach worker who connects with people through honesty, patience, and genuine care. He was a key part of the team that made the Dairy Drive shelters successful, helping them feel safe and welcoming for everyone who came through.Â
Before this work, LaRon served in the U.S. Navy, which taught him how to stay calm, work as a team, and show up for people when it matters. He’s big on simple kindness, good conversations, and helping folks take the next step that’s right for them.
Marco (he/him)
Outreach Specialist
Marco is a case manager with Madison Street Medicine who brings care, patience, and deep respect for lived experience to his work. He previously worked in workforce development at Centro Hispano and in corporate IT at TDS Telecom, building a strong foundation in digital security and systems support. With expertise in cybersecurity and a growing interest in how systemic oppression shapes data privacy, Marco is committed to helping people navigate complex systems. Off the clock, he’s usually immersed in a pixel-art game, researching medieval armor, or foraging for mushrooms.Â
Michael (he/him)
Outreach Specialist
Michael is a Madison local who moved home after living in San Diego working as a 911 EMT in order to work at MSM as an Outreach Specialist. He is passionate about community resource access, political education, and reducing wealth inequality. Michael earned a bachelor’s degree with majors in Chemistry and Health & Society from Beloit College, and since then has worked in a variety of industries including pharmaceutical manufacturing, food manufacturing, customer service, and more. He is excited to combine his varied professional background with his off-the-clock mutual aid and organizing experience into his role with MSM.Â
Ryan (he/him)
Peer Support Specialist
I’m a retired train rider from Kansas City, MO. I’ve been on and off the streets for the last 12 years or so. I currently reside wth Occupy Madison and I also serve on the Board and I give new folks Orientations, plus I’m a Shop Manager with OMI. I’m a helper. Helping others helps me, that’s why I do what I do.Â
I’m a musician of 36 years, main focus being percussion. I also have and play the guitar. If I’m not playing my guitar or working for OMI or MSM, you’ll most likely find me cruising around town on my new e-bike! I love pizza, unless you put vegetables on it. Like dang, why’d you ruin that pizza with all those veggies!
Stacy
Outreach Specialist
An Outreach Specialist with Madison Street Medicine, Stacy has been working with individuals struggling with many social issues such as poverty, homelessness, and mental health issues. She is incredibly passionate about serving the community and building relationships with everyone she encounters. Stacy has a long history of working in the community as a youth coach and mentor.
Stacy is a certified rehabilitation worker through Dane County CCS. She provided outreach and case management services for Kabba Inc. clinical programs and provided case management to clients at Dairy Drive.
Tabby
Outreach Peer Advocate
I’m an Outreach Peer Advocate with lived experience and I want to use it to support others who may be struggling with addiction, mental health, and housing insecurity. Through my own recovery, I’ve learned that positive change is possible and I hope to remind others that they don’t have to go through difficult times alone. I want to listen without judgement, offer support, and help people connect with resources that may be helpful on their own journey. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my son, thrifting, exercising, and watching or reading any vampire/supernatural related books and movies! 🙂Â
Terrence
Outreach Peer Advocate
Terrence joined Madison Street Medicine in May of 2026. With a passion for serving others, Terrence is eager to bring his uplifting spirit and humor to foster meaningful connections throughout the community and Madison Street Medicine team.Â
Tim
Outreach Peer Advocate
Tim joined Madison Street Medicine in August of 2021. His associate degree in Computer Administration has made him the unofficial IT department for MSM.
TJ (he/him)
Facilities Lead
Tim joined Madison Street Medicine in Nov. 2021 at Dairy Drive where he gets to apply his technical savvy to development and maintenance of the site and thereby supports everyone living and working there. This extends Tim’s efforts started in Chicago building soil to be gardened by and for the community and continued upon return to Madison through full-time commitment to a combination of the Madison Mutual Aid Network (MAN) and Occupy Madison, now serving as a working board member to both Occupy and the international networking cooperative, HUMANs (Humans United in Mutual Aid Network).
Vishnu
AmeriCorps State and National Member
Vishnu is an AmeriCorps State and National Member working with Madison Street Medicine this upcoming year. A senior at University of Wisconsin-Madison, she is completing her biology degree with a certificate in Health and the Humanities. Vishnu has a strong interest in public health, and has found serving people on the street and working alongside passionate co-workers to be an incredibly valuable experience. In her free time, she loves to have board game nights with her friends, be her partner’s sous chef in their home kitchen, and read dense fantasy novels.
Board of Directors
Deb Lange
Member
Deb is a member of Madison Street Medicine’s Resource Development and Finance Circle. She is a seasoned attorney in a private practice who also applies her experience to help organizations focused on housing and immigration issues. She has served Madison Street Medicine since 2019 and strongly believes that housing is healthcare.
Doug Clark
Member
Doug Clark is President and CEO of Karavan Trailers and brings extensive experience in executive leadership, operations, and governance. Doug applies his background to support mission-driven organizations focused on strengthening systems, accountability, and long-term sustainability. He believes that stable operations, strong leadership, and access to care are foundational to healthy communities and that being able to meet people where they are is a core fundamental in accomplishing the mission of Madison Street Medicine.Â
Fred Turkington
Member
Fred has called Madison home since 2012 and has worked in healthcare for that whole duration. As a student in Ohio, he worked with the Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences to help their continuing education department modernize their course tracking database, which sparked a passion for bringing the power of technology to nontechnical users.
Haley Kovac
DNP, MSN, RN, CENP
Treasurer
Haley Kovac is a seasoned healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience. As the RN Director of Ambulatory Operations at UW Health in Madison, WI, she champions patient-centered care and evidence-based practice. Haley’s innovative leadership in the Emergency Department improved patient flow and care quality. She holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Leadership from Edgewood College of Nursing and advanced degrees from Chamberlain College of Nursing. Haley actively fosters community partnerships to enhance healthcare delivery.
John Lewis
Member
John brings extensive experience leading finance, strategy, and development initiatives across healthcare organizations. Most recently, he served as an executive at a company focused on improving the lives of seniors through technology and innovation.Â
Throughout his career, John has built solutions from the ground up and partnered with universities, startups, and technology experts to address complex challenges in healthcare. His work is grounded in empowering people to solve meaningful problems, drive innovation, and create lasting value for those who need it most.
Katie Gillespie
DNP, RN, CPH, FAAN
President
Katie has many years of working as a healthcare and public health nurse. She advocates using a systems approach to address the social issues that impact a person’s health and well-being. She believes that all policies affect health and must consider mental and physical health parity.