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Peer Advisors
What is a Peer Advisor? Peer Advisors are a trusted contact for City employees, available for advice and support on a wide spectrum of issues in the workplace, from disrespectful or unkind behaviors to harassment and discrimination as outlined in City of Madison policies. The MAC/WIC Peer Advisors program was created in response to the 2019 MAC/WIC Workplace Climate Report and especially centers on the experiences and concerns of employees of color and marginalized genders. Advisors are available to all City employees.
Laurel Franklin (she/her/hers)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 7:00 am – 3:00 pm
(608) 320‑7123
lfranklin@cityofmadison.com
Hello! My name is Laurel Franklin and I work for the Parks division in the City of Madison. I studied Gender and Environmental Studies at UW Madison as an undergrad. My experience with the city of Madison started in 2017 as a seasonal in the Conservation division in Parks. From there I became a Parks Worker, where I was given the opportunity to gain experience in almost all of the different Parks divisions including Forestry, Construction, Forest Hill Cemetery, and General Parks East, West, and Central. I got placed full time at Central Parks as a Parks Maintenance Worker, and just recently was promoted to a new position within the Parks division called Land Stewardship Technician.
In this new position I am responsible for doing land management on areas of parks that do not get regularly mowed. I am an active member of the citywide RESJI Equity team (Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative), as well as an active member of the city’s Women’s Initiative Committee (WIC). Throughout these few years I have navigated many aspects of the city, and networked with many different departments. I look forward to being a Peer Support to anyone experiencing any difficulties navigating themselves. Please feel free to contact me.
Abigail Ferguson (she/her/hers)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
(608) 261‑9649
aferguson@cityofmadison.com
Hey there! I’m Abigail Ferguson and I’m the Customer Service Coordinator for Information Technology. Passionate about all things communications, I strive to make lasting impacts on City employees and the Madison community by blending communication tools to deliver quality messages, providing meaningful connections in this ever-changing digital world. I focus on process improvement, team building, incident management, change management, outreach, and targeted education.
My journey with the City of Madison began in 2017, when I was hired as a photography intern through the AASPIRE college internship program. While I’ve only been with the City for three years, I have learned so many valuable lessons from my peers and strive to continually adapt as our organization grows. As an individual that has experienced trauma, I deeply value the mission of the Peer Advisor program. I look forward to connecting staff with vital resources and providing a safe space for those working through their own experiences. My virtual door is always open!
When I’m not working, I enjoy powerlifting (lifting heavy stuff), running with my dogs, Louie and Lucia, and doing life with my fiancé.
Michael Miller (he/him/his)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
(608) 267‑8721
mmiller2@cityofmadison.com
I’m Michael Miller and I have worked for the City of Madison for 10 years. I am a Business Assistance Specialist in the Office of Business Resources (OBR). As a Business Assistance Specialist I provide one-on-one assistance to businesses seeking information and services, conduct research, and coordinate special projects to support the City’s business climate. I came from the private sector and adjusting to public sector work has been challenging and fulfilling. Prior to working for the city I owned a restaurant for 13 years.
I also worked on a few citywide initiative projects like the Racial Equity Social Justice Initiative (RESJI) and Neighborhood Resource Teams. I enjoy listening and creating relationships and am excited to assist with the Peer Advisor program.
Nancy Saiz (ella/she/hers)
(608) 266‑6433
nsaiz@cityofmadison.com
Madison has been my home since 1993 when I moved to Madison to attend UW and receive a background in Social Work. I began my work for the City of Madison at DPCED - CDD in 2010.
I am a member of the Latinx Community Engagement Team (LCET) and the Multicultural Affairs Committee (MAC). I also participate in citywide initiatives such as Neighborhood Resource Teams (NRTs) and Racial Equity Social Justice (RESJI). My schedule changes day to day, but I will make sure to reach out within 24 hours.
Binta Ceesay (she/her/hers)
Office Hours: Monday – Friday, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm;
Tuesday, Wednesday, 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
(608) 288‑6160
bceesay@cityofmadison.com
Heya! My name is Binta Ceesay. I am originally from The Gambia, West Africa. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the UWWhitewater. I spend most of my free time advocating for the protection and empowerment of women and children as well as Social Justice for all.I want to see a just world, where women, children, and all marginalized people are treated with love, respect, and dignity. This passion and my experience in communication led me to join the City’s Women’s Initiative Committee, Multicultural Affairs Committee, and the Racial Equity and Social Justice Initiative. I serve on the RESJI Communications team and I am also a member of the Madison Public Library’s Racial Equity Change Team.
My experience with the City of Madison commenced as an AASPIRE Intern with the Department of Civil Rights where I built collaborative relationships with DCR staff and members of other city departments and community organizations. We successfully reviewed and created a balanced interview panel database with diverse genders and racial backgrounds across the city of Madison. This was an opportunity to ensure that every hiring interview panel was balanced enough to create representation for the interviewee to be able to relate with interviewers and be comfortable in expressing themselves. I later became the Language Access Program Assistant in the same department. Currently, I work as an Assistant Librarian with the Madison Public Library- Meadow Ridge Neighborhood branch.
Having experienced discrimination and subtle acts of exclusions, I promise to stand by my colleagues and always be ready to lend a helping hand when needed. I will be available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm on Zoom, email or any preferred way of communication but you can reach me at the Library on weekdays from 11:00 am - 7:00 pm.