DSPS Leaders Recognized with Innovation and Community Service Awards

Safety and Professional Services Tony Evers, Governor

April 7, 2026 DSPS Communications 608-220-1553

Two DSPS Leaders Recognized for Work on Holiday Campaign

Madison, Wis. - Two Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) employees

recently earned recognition at the 2026 Partners in Giving Recognition Ceremony. DSPS Division of Performance Management Administrator Melinda Boyle-Prior earned an Innovation Events Award and Program Assistant Supervisor Advanced Monique Spencer earned a Doug Palm Community Service Award. "I want to thank the Partners in Giving Board for recognizing these two outstanding public servants," said DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth. "I also want to thank Melinda and Monique for their work on our agency's Partners in Giving Campaign and their overall work as leaders in our department." The awards honor select state, Universities of Wisconsin, and UW Health employees for their work on the 2025 Partners in Giving fundraising campaign, which raised a combined amount of more than $2 million for over 500 organizations that benefit from the campaign. "I am truly honored to have received The Doug Palm Community Service Award and deeply appreciate the recognition of my efforts in the campaign. It was such a joy to work alongside others in our agency, creating engaging activities that brought excitement to our cause," Spencer said. "I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to volunteer to do it, even just once. It's an experience that will stay with you forever. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to those who nominated me. Your support means the world to me." "I was inspired this year by our committee. Their hard work and enthusiasm helped us surpass our goal and almost double the number of participants from the year before,"

PRESS RELEASE--Contact DSPS Newsroom at dspsnewsroom@wisconsin.gov Department of

Dan Hereth, Secretary

Boyle-Prior said. "I had tremendous fun participating in our Pie in the Face event for meeting our goal, and I was honored to receive the award. I cannot overstate the positive impact and excellent contributions of the entire committee." The Partners in Giving Innovation Events Award honors individuals who initiated or conducted a special event or events which measurably improved a group's campaign over prior years. The Doug Palm Community Service Award goes to volunteers demonstrating creativity, resourcefulness, enthusiasm, integrity, and outstanding achievement. Spencer and Boyle-Prior were part of a committee that led the DSPS Partners in Giving campaign, adding new, fun events. The two received their awards at a recognition ceremony at UW-Madison's Union South on March 18.

About DSPS

DSPS issues more than 240 unique licenses, administers dozens of boards and councils that regulate professions, enforces state building codes, runs the state fire prevention program, and maintains the award-winning Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which is a key tool in the multi-faceted public health campaign to stem excessive opioid prescribing. A fee-based agency, DSPS is self-sustaining and receives no general fund tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. With five offices and 250 employees throughout Wisconsin, DSPS collaborates with constituents and stakeholders across a wide range of industries to promote safety and advance the economy.