About Carmella
Rooted in the Northside. Driven by Resilience.
A Life Shaped by the Northside
Carmella Glenn doesn't just represent District 18; she lives it. Along with her husband, a fellow Northside native, Carmella chose to buy a home on School Road because this community has always been her "village." As a parent of children who attended Gompers, Blackhawk, and East High, and now as a grandmother, she has a multi-generational stake in the future of our neighborhoods.
Turning Lived Experience into Leadership
Carmella’s journey is defined by what she calls "breaking the chains." Having navigated the challenges of addiction, domestic violence, and the impact of incarceration within her own family, she brings a perspective to the Common Council that is rarely heard but desperately needed.
"I don’t believe people need a savior. They need someone who can show them that they have the power to change their own lives. I am the people I serve." — Carmella Glenn
A Career of Community Care
Before joining the Council, Carmella spent over a decade leading Just Bakery, a vocational training program that helps individuals returning from prison find dignity and a living wage through the culinary arts. Today, she serves as a Violence Prevention Supervisor for Dane County, where she works daily to address the root causes of harm and build safer neighborhoods through connection rather than just "checking boxes.”
At the Table for You
In 2025, Carmella ran for office because she saw the gaps in the system from the inside. She currently serves on the Plan Commission, the Board of Park Commissioners, and the Alcohol License Review Committee, ensuring that the Northside’s voice is present in every major city decision—from zoning for new homes to the $10M expansion of the Warner Park Community Center.
Beyond Council
Carmella is a black-identifying woman, who is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. She is a believer in the power of "synchronized growth"—the idea that our city can grow while still making room for everyone. She is an advocate of transparency and ethics in government, especially local government.
