Meet the DRC Commissioners
The Disability Rights Commission consists of a Common Council member, and 12 resident members. All members reside in the City of Madison and are knowledgeable of the needs, rights, and collective aspirations of residents with disabilities. Our goal is to have leaders with diverse identities represent the diversity of Madison’s disability community.
Dr. Nakia Wiley, Chair
Visual description: African American woman with short black hair and glasses with blue frames
My name is Dr. Nakia Wiley, I am the Chair of the Disability Rights Commission for the City of Madison. I have served with passion, intentionality, and authenticity since 2021. I plan to continue serving with joy and gladness until the last breath leaves my African American/Black, Disabled, Cisgendered-Christian Heterosexual, light-skin, 5’3”, small/medium framed body.
Melissa A. Madole, Vice Chair
No photo or bio are featured.
Rebecca Back
Visual description: woman in late 20s with dark hair in braids and wearing glasses
I am one of the new commissioners that started in 2025. As an epilepsy awareness ambassador and a commissioner, I aim to inform and de-stigmatize invisible disabilities such epilepsy, mental health, and cognitive/learning disabilities. I hope to empower others with disabilities and show that their voices matter too.
Kathleen Cullen
Visual description: A middle-aged white woman with short wavy red hair and glasses stands in front of a brick wall smiling.
Kathleen joined the Disability Rights Commission in 2024. She has over thirty years of experience working and volunteering for social justice and human services focused nonprofit organizations in the US and UK. Guiding words of wisdom that she lifts up are from the Murri activist Lilla Watson “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Wendi Dwyer
Visual description: Middle-aged woman with long blonde hair in a blue dress being led by her yellow lab Guide dog on a sidewalk along an urban street.
Wendi Dwyer is an advocate and activist. Her own experiences have led her to focus on disability rights and pedestrian safety. A portfolio of her work can be found at wendidwyer.com.
Casey Edmonds-Estes
Visual description: pale-skinned person with blue glasses, blue eyes, and brown hair
My name is Casey Edmonds-Estes, and I’ve been a commissioner since 2023, with a focus on housing and technology policy. Previous advocacy includes climate activism and work on reducing political polarization in Maine. I can be found around town running around the lakes or waiting impatiently for a passenger rail line to Chicago.
Joe Frost, Commissioner
No photo or bio are featured.
Dr. Larry Love
Visual description: African-American man wearing a suit sits in front of a window and smiles for a photo.
Dr. Larry Love holds a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he is also a proud three-time Badger. He currently serves as a middle school principal and has been a member of the Disability Rights Commission since 2024. Passionate about special education, social justice, advocacy, and emerging policy work, Dr. Love has supported families in navigating educational systems to ensure meaningful involvement in decisions affecting their children with disabilities. His advocacy is complemented by published research in peer-reviewed journals, and outside of work, he enjoys traveling and life as a devoted dog dad to a spirited schnoodle.
Brett Makki
Visual description: man in a purple “Your story matter’s” t-shirt and sitting in his walker
Brett Makki has been on the disability rights commission since May of 2025. He is the vice president of the Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum Board of Directors. He enjoys watching the Packers, the Yankees and the Miami heat. Finally, he enjoys rock climbing as well.
Lynn Olson
Visual description: white woman with gray hair in a braid and glasses
Beginning in 2023, joining the commission was an easy choice for continuing Lynn Olson’s volunteering/advocacy efforts. Through the work of the commission Lynn has learned a tremendous amount about the City’s commitment to making our community more accessible, and safer for all. While reviewing city services, or planning, they are able to confirm or identify priorities through their various experiences to foster greater awareness of limitations in general, or design.
Joann Pritchett
Joann Pritchett, Commissioner.
No photo or bio are featured.
Nickie VanderMuelen
Visual description: blond female with medium-length blond hair wearing a navy blue scarf and a navy blue dress.
Nicki Vander Meulen has been a lifelong Disability advocate. As the first openly Autistic Board member in the country (elected April 2017) she feels she has a duty to help advocate for all people, especially children.