2026 City of Milwaukee Employee Recognition Awards

• Alanda Bradley-Clayborne — Disease Intervention Specialist, Milwaukee Health Department 
  With nearly three decades of City service, Alanda was nominated for her longstanding commitment to public health and Milwaukee residents. Her career has spanned multiple Health Department programs, where she has connected residents to critical care, mentored colleagues, and become a trusted advocate for the people she serves.  

• Cynthia Barnes — Library Circulation Services Supervisor, Milwaukee Public Library 
  Cynthia was nominated for more than 20 years of leadership and service at Milwaukee Public Library. Colleagues credit her with mentoring generations of library employees, nurturing talent, and creating a positive environment that has benefited both City employees and library patrons.  

• James Kringer — Urban Forestry Technician, Department of Public Works 
  James was nominated for an extraordinary career in City service that began in 1968 and has been dedicated largely to Milwaukee’s urban forest. His decades of expertise, leadership, and contributions to tree preservation have left a legacy that extends beyond Milwaukee and will continue long after his City career. 

• Alicia Ekman, Fire Health and Safety Manager – Milwaukee Fire Department 
  Alicia was nominated for developing an early-intervention approach to employee injuries that has improved firefighter health while reducing workers’ compensation claims and associated costs. Her work demonstrates how thoughtful prevention can improve both employee well-being and the efficiency of City operations.  

• Ramona Ramos, Compliance and Engagement Deputy Director – Department of Compliance & Engagement 
  Ramona was nominated for her ability to navigate complex processes, connect people with the appropriate resources, and help work move forward efficiently and effectively. Her colleagues highlighted her responsiveness, institutional knowledge, and commitment to making City government work better for both employees and residents.  

• Scott Stange — Procurement and Compliance Manager, Department of City Development 
  Scott was nominated for bringing organization, consistency, and foresight to DCD’s procurement and compliance work. His attention to contracts, deadlines, requirements, and major projects helps prevent delays and keeps important City work moving efficiently.  

• Dominique Hyatt-Oates — Deputy Commissioner of Policy, Innovation and Equity, Milwaukee Health Department 
  Dominique was nominated for developing creative approaches to Milwaukee’s food-access challenges, including strategies to support small grocers, expand community fridges, and improve transportation access to food. Her work combines innovative thinking with community voices to address a pressing need facing Milwaukee residents.  

• Julia Zimmer — Senior Microbiologist, Milwaukee Health Department 
  Julia was nominated for helping bring cutting-edge disease surveillance to Milwaukee, including wastewater monitoring and air sampling for respiratory viruses in MPS schools. Her work is expanding how public health professionals can identify community illness beyond traditional clinical testing.  

• MD Ariful Islam, Programmer Analyst – Milwaukee Police Department 
  Ariful was nominated for developing an internal Case Management System for MPD’s Criminal Investigation Bureau rather than relying on a costly outside solution. The nomination credits his work with saving the department more than $1 million while creating tools to help investigators manage cases, deadlines, and alerts more effectively.  

• Deborah Moore — Events and Outreach Coordinator, Milwaukee City Clerk’s Office 
  Deborah was nominated for a commitment to community engagement that frequently extends beyond her regular responsibilities and workday. Through City events and outreach, she helps residents learn about programs, services, and resources while creating welcoming connections between Milwaukee residents and their City government.  

• Michelle Natarajan — Water Quality Manager, Department of Public Works 
  Michelle was nominated for making complex water-quality and lead-prevention information understandable and accessible to Milwaukee residents. Through community events, youth education, outreach training, partnerships, and direct assistance to residents, she helps ensure people not only receive information but know where to turn for help.  

• Nuducha Yang — Court Financial Operations Manager, Milwaukee Municipal Court 
  Nuducha was nominated for using her professional skills and lived experience to connect people, organizations, and City resources. Her service includes supporting Milwaukee’s elections, providing Hmong-language assistance, volunteering with community organizations, and helping build a stronger sense of belonging for AAPI City employees and residents.  

• Cole Hager, Environmental Sustainability Program Coordinator – Department of Administration 
  Cole was nominated for bringing initiative, collaboration, and a strong commitment to sustainability to his work early in his City career. His colleagues highlighted his ability to take ownership of projects, build partnerships, and translate environmental goals into meaningful work for Milwaukee residents. 

• Madison Goldbeck — Marketing & Communications Officer, Department of City Development & Port Milwaukee 
  Madison was nominated for quickly establishing herself as a trusted communications professional and taking on significant responsibility early in her City career. Her work has helped communicate Port Milwaukee’s role in the community and strengthen how the organization shares its work with residents, partners, and stakeholders. 

• Vanesa Carmona-Lewis — Associate Director, Department of Administration 
  Vanesa was nominated for demonstrating significant leadership and initiative in a relatively short period of City service. Her accomplishments include improving grant and RFP processes, creating professional-development opportunities, developing CDGA’s first Impact Report, and helping convene more than 100 organizations and stakeholders through a housing forum. 

Department of City Development

Mayor Johnson selected the Department of City Development in recognition of its leadership and outstanding work advancing Milwaukee’s Year of Housing. Throughout 2026, DCD has played a central role in expanding housing opportunities, strengthening neighborhoods, and moving forward key initiatives that support the Mayor’s goal of making quality, affordable housing more accessible across Milwaukee.