Executive Director: Stephanie Franklin

Stephanie puts her 20+ years of development experience to work raising funds and awareness for our amazing Madison Parks. She grew up in McFarland, just outside of Madison and has had the pleasure of enjoying Madison parks for her entire life. She is proud to be the Foundation's first employee (since 2013) furthering its mission of ensuring access and inclusiveness to our 280+ Madison Parks.

President: Ty Beck

Ty is a Vice President of Business Banking at Oak Bank. He was born and raised in Oshkosh and has lived in the Madison area for more than 20 years. Ty is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Anthropology with an emphasis in Archaeology. He worked six years as a research archaeologist in the back country of Alaska prior to starting his finance career in 2002. Ty and his family are very active, and they enjoy most outdoor activities, particularly running, triathlons, and cycling. Ty is dedicated to the mission of the Foundation and is truly passionate about doing his part to pass on the gift of parks for the generations to come.

Vice President: Kyle Engelke

Kyle grew up in New Glarus and fondly recalls the many childhood trips to Vilas Park for a picnic and visit to the zoo. He has called Madison home since he began his undergraduate studies for a journalism degree and finished with a law degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, proudly calling himself a “Double Badger.” Today, Kyle is a partner with the law firm Stafford Rosenbaum LLP, and as a trial attorney, he advocates for his clients by telling their stories - a role he tries to fill for the Foundation as well. Kyle discovered the Foundation when he learned that his firm traces its origins to John Olin, the same man who helped found the Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association. Now that he and his wife, Mary (and their Australian Shepherds) have put down their roots in Madison, Kyle is honored to serve on the board and play a small part in helping preserve and cultivate the legacy built by others in the city he now calls home.

Treasurer: Julie Bogle

Julie was born in Monona, Wisconsin, across the street from Winnequah (Dream) Park. As a child she watched Eric and Beth Heiden, before they became famous, skate on Madison’s ice rinks. After living in other, less beautiful places, she returned to Madison to attend UW-Madison, where she received a B.A. and a law degree. She is tax partner at BDO USA, LLC.

Past President: Maureen Lokrantz

Maureen recently retired from U.S. Bank, Private Wealth Management. While not born in Madison, she has lived in the Madison area for more than 30 years and loves Madison's parks. “Our parks are the few places where everyone in the community comes together, whether to relax, play, exercise, spend time with family, neighbors or pets, show support for a cause or just to connect with nature. I believe parks reflect their surrounding neighborhoods and like everything, they need care and support. The Foundation is dedicated to keeping parks accessible to all and to the preservation and development of our parks and green spaces.”

Board Member: Joe Clausius

Joe served four terms as Madison City Council Alder for District 17 (far east side). During that time, his favorite assignment was alder representative for the Madison Parks Commission. A native of Richland Center, he earned a bachelor's degree in political science from University of Wisconsin-Platteville and spent 33 years as a health lobbyist at American Family Insurance. Joe has also served as an alder on the Sun Prairie City Council and spearheaded the construction of the first community aquatic center in Dane County. Joe is an officer in the Clarendon Hills Homeowners Association and supporter of Friends of Starkweather Creek. He is affiliated with the summer “Concerts on the Square” series since its inception and is currently the concert volunteer coordinator. Joe and his wife, Marti, consider our park system to be on of Madison's greatest assets and serves and support the Foundation with a passion.

Board Member: Neil Fauerbach

Board Member: Eric Fritz

Board Member: Alec Hillbo

Board Member: Kristin Kupres

Kristin is a senior account supervisor at Kennedy Communications, a Madison-based advertising agency. In 2017, she served as the youngest president in the history of the American Advertising Federation - Madison Chapter and was also named one of InBusiness Magazine's 40 under 40. Although Kristin did not grow up in the Madison-area, she fell in love with the city, culture, and green spaces while attending UW-Madison where she graduated with a communication arts degree. While many enjoy the parks in the warmer months, Kristin prefers to use area parks during the winter season for cross country skiing and ice skating, and thawing out by the fire afterward. Her love of the outdoors and preserving natural spaces led her to the Madison Parks Foundation. Kristin formed the Foundation's Marketing Committee to build awareness of Madison Parks and raise funds for their enhancement and preservation.

Board Member: Sam LeMense

Sam is a life-long Wisconsin resident, having grown up in Ashwaubenon and living in Madison for almost 20 years. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he received his BBA in Finance, Investment and Banking. Sam has worked in finance his entire career, starting in banking and now working in Treasury at Exact Sciences for the past three years. His previous board experience includes serving as Treasurer for both the Children's Theater of Madison, and the Madison Youth Arts Center. Sam and his wife are Madison park lovers, having been both engaged and married at parks in Madison, naming their dog after Olin park and frequenting many neighborhood parks with their young son.

Board Member: Catie McDonald

Prior to moving to Madison in 2007, Catie was spoiled by living incredibly close to national parkland. She grew up in lower Alabama, just a short drive from the Gulf Islands National Seashore and then later attended grad school right outside of the Smoky Mountain National Park. It is easy to take this access for granted, so she’s incredibly thankful to serve on the Madison Parks Foundation Board to be able to preserve this access for generations to come.
Catie serves as the Madison Board of Park Commissioners liaison to the Madison Parks Foundation Board. Outside of parks, she is employed in the credit union industry and has served on a local credit union board. Catie is very active in her neighborhood association and was instrumental in creating the Eken Park Festival. She enjoys traveling, hosting parties, learning anything and everything, yoga, spending lots of time with her dog, Ozzie, and has recently become obsessed with gardening. Catie is a graduate of the University of Alabama and has a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee.

Board Member: Claire Oleksiak

Claire's love of parks is fueled by a deep appreciation for the environmental and community connections. Her perfect day is one spent in a Madison Park and she enjoys exploring different parks around the city. Some of her favorite park activities include playing on a playground or in natural areas with her children, swimming at the beaches, sledding down a snow covered hill and enjoying a run/bike along a park path. Born and raised in Madison; she holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree from Oxford University. She has worked on local community and economic development, including park planning and operations, in Washington, DC. Upon returning to Madison, she worked on staff at the City of Madison Parks Division where she facilitated public-private partnerships, managed community facilities, and implemented the Connecting Children to Nature Initiative. Currently, Claire is the Executive Director of Sustain Dane, a non-profit with the mission to inspire, connect, and support people to accelerate sustainable actions for community well-being. Claire is passionate about innovation, collaboration, public space activation, diversity & inclusion, and social impact. She is thrilled to be a part of the Madison Parks Foundation Board.

Board Member: Pierce Sullivan

Pierce is a Program Veterinarian within the Research Animal Resources and Compliance department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He and his wife moved from Memphis, TN in the fall of 2017 having never lived anywhere outside of the South. One of the first things about Madison they noticed were the number and quality of public parks they saw while exploring the city. Being a person who loves the outdoors (even the winter activities), he has enjoyed experiencing and learning more about the many opportunities the park system within Madison provides for families. He now looks forward to serving on the Board and providing any support he can to help preserve and improve the park system so that future generations will be able to enjoy them, as well.

Board Member: Ben Williams

Ben grew up in Madison playing soccer and basketball in the parks and now enjoys hiking, biking, and skiing with his wife and kids in the many parks Madison has available. Ben believes that parks are a defining component of a neighborhood’s identity and contribute to the sense of community and wellbeing for those connected to them. Ben serves as one of the Madison Board of Park Commissioners liaisons to the Madison Parks Foundation Board. Madison’s parks are an incredible asset that Ben hopes to help preserve, develop, and enhance to be accessible and inclusive places for everyone. Ben graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison with degrees in marketing, management & human resources and psychology and received his Master’s degree in Public Affairs from the La Follette School of Public Affairs. He is passionate about helping leaders and organizations define and reach their goals by supporting their development of strategies, business models, and partnerships. Currently, Ben is the Director of Business Development and Member Services for the Wisconsin Primary Health Care Association where he develops relationships and resources to improve the health of patients and communities facing financial, cultural and linguistic, or geographical barriers to high-quality, affordable health care.