Eli

author/co-founder

he/him

Eli was born and raised in the Madison area. A lifelong learner and community-oriented leader, Eli brings a rich and complex set of experiences shaped by public service, personal transformation, and a commitment to justice.

Before joining the Madison Police Department in 2013, Eli had a varied resume – swim coach, lifeguard, English teacher in Spain, and assisted living caregiver. Over the eight years in patrol, primarily in the west and south districts, he served as a mental health officer, field training officer, background investigator, and member of the Chief’s Officer Advisory Committee. He was the first police officer to openly transition while working for the Madison Police Department.

His time in law enforcement gave him a close-up view of the systemic challenges facing individuals impacted by trauma, addiction, and poverty — experiences that would later take on personal meaning in his own life. After a disabling injury and struggle with PTSD and substance use, Eli found healing and purpose through recovery and community. As a secular participant in AA and NA, he is passionate about supporting others navigating the intersections of trauma, mental health, and addiction.

Eli’s lived experience informs his broader commitment to equity and systems change, especially for those often pushed to the margins. He is especially interested in the intersections of technology, justice, and accessibility.

A devoted dog dad to Remi and Ripley, Eli is a lover of nature and movement, from triathlons to fat tire biking and long hikes. He brings to Transform Dane a grounded perspective rooted in service, recovery, and trans resilience. Eli shows not just with his words, but also with his actions, that systems change begins with authenticity, accountability, and the courage to tell the truth.

Becky

president/co-founder

she/they

Becky is the Executive Director of Transform Dane, where she is fiercely dedicated to tackling injustices within the carceral system. Her core belief, deeply rooted in her identity as a queer, autistic, disabled individual, is that humans have an obligation to take care of each other if they have the means. Until everyone steps up a little, she’s committed to doing a lot. Her own lived experience from both sides of our mental health care and social assistance systems further informs her commitment to silencing the stigma around difficult issues.

Becky’s leadership at Transform Dane is fueled by an MBA from UW-Madison, providing a strategic backbone for innovative problem-solving. She thrives on bringing order to complex issues, operating with a unique brand of “organized chaos”—more planned spontaneity than actual disaster. This approach allows her to navigate intricate challenges and continually seek new avenues for reform within the system.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Becky enjoys a vibrant life in Sun Prairie, sharing her home with her ex-wife-turned-best-friend, two dogs, and two cats. This perfectly imperfect and delightful crew is a constant reminder of the power of unconditional love and unconventional family.

When she’s not immersed in the fight for social justice, Becky can be found pursuing her passions for scuba diving, and getting hands-on with tie-dye or intricate quilling projects. Her profound affection for animals and humans alike drives her commitment to building a more humane and just world. Becky is a firm believer in direct action against unjust systems of oppression, recognizing that what’s “right” on paper doesn’t always translate to what’s right for society. She’s ready to stand against and transform these systems for the next generation, armed with a commitment to civil disobedience.

Emrys

communications coordinator

he/him

Emrys is a Madison-based writer, researcher, and advocate whose work lives at the intersection of policy, lived experience, and collective care. Born and raised in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Emrys is a queer, genderfluid trans man whose personal journey deeply informs his approach to justice and transformation.

With experience in the Wisconsin and New Mexico State Legislatures, Emrys has worked on communications and policy efforts that center voices too often left out of the conversation. Guided by an abolitionist vision and a deep belief in the transformative power of love, he approaches this work not just with critique but with care—building tools for legal education, drafting inclusive and trauma-informed policy, and imagining alternatives to punishment rooted in healing, accountability, liberation, and self-reliance.

His background spans public libraries, electoral campaigns, state legislative chambers, and community organizing, always with a commitment to making knowledge more accessible and justice more personal. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee with a bachelor’s degree in Film Studies, Emrys brings a creative storytelling lens to his work.

Outside of organizing, he is a musician who plays synthesizer, guitar, and sings, having performed with several local bands in Albuquerque.

At Transform Dane, Emrys combines his expertise in advocacy, research, and communications with a commitment to decentralizing systems of power.

email Emrys