Mayor

Hello, I’m Mayor Cory Mason. Thank you for taking the time to visit the City of Racine’s website!

I have the honor of serving as your Mayor. Hearing your thoughts, concerns, and opinions is the most important part of my job. Please take the time to browse the City’s website for more information about your local government and other resources related to our wonderful City.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me using the online web form or by calling my office at 262-636-9111.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Cory Mason

Mayor

Mayor's Office Staff:

Vicky Selkowe

Manager, Strategic Initiatives & Community Partnerships

vicky.selkowe@cityofracine.org

262-636-9286

Vicky is a City of Racine resident who joined Mayor Mason's team in March of 2019. Vicky is as public interest attorney with more than 25 years of Wisconsin experience in policy advocacy, systems-change, legal representation of individuals with low-incomes, and building partnerships.

Vicky's work for the City focuses on addressing longstanding disparities and inequities by scaling up programs that work, bringing resources to residents to meet pressing needs, collaborating with an array of community partners, and empowering marginalized residents. Vicky is especially focused on designing and implementing evidence-based initiatives that help residents earn their high school credential, access post-secondary education and training, increase their financial resiliency, and become homeowners. Her responsibilities include serving as the Local Government Manager for the Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) and overseeing the GROW Racine initiatives. Vicky loves Racine's lakefront, especially North Beach, and will encourage anyone who'll listen to swim in Lake Michigan with her in the summer.

Kischa Buford

Youth Employment Officer

Kischa.Buford@CityofRacine.org

262-636-9335

Kischa Buford is the City's new Youth Employment Officer for the City of Racine’s Mayor’s Office. Her role entails building a youth employment program that allows City of Racine residents ages 16-24 to gain experience and insight within City government. She has 10 years of Recruiting, Community Relations and Workforce development experience working within the public and non-profit sectors.

Prior to taking this role, Kischa was the Recruiter for the City of Milwaukee’s Fire and Police Commission where she oversaw the recruitment, community relations and marketing campaigns for the Milwaukee Fire and Police Departments. Her main objective was to increase diversity and inclusive practices within the recruitment and testing process as well as, educate the community on the importance of residency and community-serving positions.

Damian Evans

Equity Officer

Damian.Evans@CityofRacine.org

262-636-9399

Damian is a City of Racine resident and member of the City's Affirmative Action and Human Rights Commission. Damian has spent more than two decades at UW-Parkside serving in a variety of leadership roles, including most recently as Executive Director of Student Development and Engagement, and Assistant Dean of Students.

Damian brings to the role of Equity Officer extensive experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion work; facilitation, training, and community connections. Damian is focused on making sure the City prioritizes equity and inclusion throughout all City Departments and in the process of developing and have the Common Council adopt the City’s first Workplace Equity Plan.

Shayla Malone

Outreach & Communications Fellow

Shayla.Malone@cityofracine.org

Thanks to grant funding from Results for America, the Mayor's Office was able to create a part-time, limited-term Outreach & Communications Fellowship. Shayla Malone was hired and began her Fellowship in October 2021. Shayla is working with the Mayor's Office and community partners to promote the YWCA Southeast Wisconsin's free 5.09 HSED program and the Racine Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), which the City runs in partnership with Housing Resources, Inc. Shayla is a lifelong Racine resident.

In addition to her Fellowship, Shayla is a full-time Transition Specialist at Gateway Technical College, and brings years of community connections to her work with the City. Shayla’s work is to help ensure city residents know about the resources and programs that are available to them.

Krysta Venegas

Outreach Specialist

Krysta.Venegas@CityofRacine.org

262-636-9383

Krysta was born and raised in Racine and recently moved back to the City after graduating from UW-Green Bay. As Outreach Specialist, Krysta works with a number of the City’s Departments to assist in the promotion of City programs through community outreach and engagement. Programs include YWCA SEW’s 5.09 HSED, WRTP/BIG STEP’s & YMCA’s First Choice Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, and the Financial Empowerment Center.

In her role in the Mayor’s office, Krysta hopes to open doors for those who with diverse backgrounds, whether racially/ethnically, or economically. She believes in bringing more chairs to the table to create room for more Racine youth and adults to not only identify their opportunities and challenges, but also help ensure they have equitable access to seize the opportunities the City of Racine create to better support its residents.