Kara Pennoyer

Kara Pennoyer currently serves as Chief of Staff to Chairperson Summer Strand at the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, a position held since March 2023. Previously, Kara held the role of Deputy Chief of Staff under Governor Tony Evers from January 2019 to March 2023. Additionally, experience includes serving as Chief of Staff to Senate Democratic Leader Jennifer Shilling for nearly a decade, along with roles as Legislative Director and Legislative Aide within the Wisconsin State Legislature. Kara's early career included positions as a Project Coordinator and Research Assistant at the University of Illinois Chicago's Survey Research Lab, and Development Coordinator at New Horizons Shelter & Outreach Centers, Inc. Educational qualifications include a Master of Public Administration focusing on State and Local Government Management and Survey Research from the University of Illinois Chicago, and a Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Communication Studies, and Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. Participation in the Women in Government Leadership Seminar occurred in 2014.