Building a Fair Wisconsin
Learn more about some of the issues we’re working on:
- » Protecting LGBT Couples: Learn about Wisconsin’s new Domestic Partnership protections and how Fair Wisconsin is working toward marriage equality.
- » Supporting Gender Identity & Expression: Find out more about Gender Identity and Expression, Wisconsin's discrimination laws, and how Fair Wisconsin is working toward change.
- » Focusing on Children & Families: Find state and local resources for LGBT families, learn about current issues, and find out what you can do to help.
About the Staff
Katie Belanger, Executive Director
Katie Belanger has extensive experience in Wisconsin politics, campaign and nonprofit fundraising and grassroots organizing. Katie joined Fair Wisconsin as the Legislative Director to shepherd Wisconsin’s first pro-fairness legislation in over two decades, domestic partnership protections, through the 2009-2011 biennial budget process. In July 2009, Katie became Fair Wisconsin’s Executive Director.
Prior to joining Fair Wisconsin, Katie was the Deputy Campaign and Program Director for Advancing Wisconsin, one of the largest state-based voter contact and issue advocacy organizations in 2008. Katie also served Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for multiple cycles as both campaign Finance Director and PAC Director for The People’s House PAC. Katie’s fundraising background also includes several state and federal campaigns and the Democratic Party of Wisconsin. Before transitioning to fundraising, Katie was the Scheduling Director for Governor Jim Doyle.
Katie currently serves as the Board Secretary for the Equality Federation, the national alliance of state-based LGBT advocacy organizations, representing over 50 organizations in 41 states.
Megin McDonell, External Relations Director
Megin McDonell has extensive experience working in nonprofits, including grant writing, media and communications and program development and implementation. Before joining Fair Wisconsin in 2011, she was the Program Director at the Tenant Resource Center in Madison for fourteen years. She has been extremely active in local politics and elections, including serving for eleven years on the Madison Equal Opportunities Commission and working on numerous aldermanic, county board, assembly and congressional campaigns.
Megin serves as President of the Social Justice Center Board of Directors, and is a member of the NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Board of Directors. She is married with two daughters. She hopes that her daughters will be able to marry (or not) whomever they want when they are adults, without regard to sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and that they will be able to choose to become parents (or not) regardless of the same.
John Smallwood, Field Director
Mary Sykes, Office Manager
Mary Sykes joined the Fair Wisconsin (then Action Wisconsin) staff at the end of 2004 and rode the waves of the 2006 campaign. Her duties include staffing the Boards of Directors, and providing general administrative management and support. Prior to working for LGBT rights, she worked for many years in the disability rights movement. She lives on the east side of Madison with her life partner. She and her partner were the 6th couple to register as domestic partners in Dane County. She looks forward to the day that they can marry in Wisconsin!
Carolyn Foster, Accountant
Carolyn Foster moved to Madison 9 years ago from California. She has worked many years in nonprofit accounting, because “I like to make a difference” for the good of the people, not a corporation. When she’s not making sure that the funds raised go to fighting for fairness, she enjoys camping and hiking.
Abbi Huber, Finance Assistant
After completing an internship with Fair Wisconsin, Abbi joined the staff as the Finance Assistant in 2011. An activist at heart, Abbi was excited to join such a devoted staff to advance the fight for LGBT rights. Along with the rest of the staff, she most enjoys seeing the impact that the organization’s accomplishments make on the people of Wisconsin. Abbi is currently in her third year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, working towards degrees in Political Science and Sociology.
Cheryl Hayden, Accounting Assistant
Cheryl joined the Fair Wisconsin staff in 2012 after completing an accounting degree at Madison Community College. This is her first accounting position with a non-profit organization, and she looks forward to working for an organization that supports freedom of choice.
Susie Earley, Development Volunteer
Upon retirement as an RN working in Washington, D.C., Susie returned to her home state of Wisconsin. While in D.C., she volunteered for the Clinton Health Care Initiative. Susie started volunteering for Fair Wisconsin with the kickoff to the 2006 amendment campaign. Being a believer in volunteerism, she is gratified to be part of realizing the goals of Fair Wisconsin.