Makda Fessahaye

Makda Fessahaye is the Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Human Resources Officer for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she works closely with the Vice Chancellor for the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to find ways to support and engage the workforce. She previously served as the City of Milwaukee’s Chief Human Resources Officer and supported the employee resource groups and advocated and created an annual budget for their events and initiatives. Prior to that role, served in Governor Evers’ administration as the Administrator for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections’ Division of Adult Institutions. She served as the executive sponsor for the DOC’s Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee. Before stepping into leadership roles, Makda worked as an attorney for the Department of Corrections.

Currently, Makda serves on the board of directors for the Milwaukee Tennis & Education Foundation, MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, and City Year Milwaukee. She also serves on the Girls Scouts of Wisconsin Southeast’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee. She is a past president of the Wisconsin Association of African-American Lawyers (WAAL).
Makda has been recognized for her various accomplishments by her peers; her recognitions include Wisconsin Women in Government Rising Star Award, Madison365’s Most Influential Black Leaders, In Business Greater Madison’s 40 Under 40, and Milwaukee Business Journal’s 40 Under 40.

Makda received her undergraduate degree in Communication Studies from Northwestern University in 2011, and Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in 2014.