Boys and Girls Clubs Names Leslie Petty CEO
Dr. Leslie Petty, a longtime board leader and Madison College dean, will become the organization's next chief executive in January 2027.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in People
Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County named Dr. Leslie Petty as its next CEO, succeeding interim CEO Taylor Jackson on January 4, 2027. The announcement was made Wednesday in Madison, Wis.
Why it matters
The appointment fills a leadership gap left after former CEO Michael Johnson died unexpectedly in June 2026. Petty's long involvement with the organization, including her tenure as board chair, positions her to guide the Dane County nonprofit through its transition.
Petty has more than 30 years of experience in education and leadership and has been involved with the organization for more than a decade, including serving as board chair from 2019 to 2021. Figures on the organization's budget, staffing or program reach under her leadership were not provided in the announcement.
The players
Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County
A youth-serving nonprofit that operates programs for children and teens across Dane County, Wisconsin.
Leslie Petty
An education and workforce leader who serves as dean of the school of academic advancement at Madison College and previously chaired the organization's board.
Taylor Jackson
The interim chief executive who has led Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County since June 2026 and will hand over leadership to Petty.
Michael Johnson
The former chief executive of Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County who died unexpectedly in June 2026.
The details
Petty advanced from education committee member to committee chair, then to Board of Directors member and board chair before being named CEO. She is currently dean of the school of academic advancement at Madison College and chairs the McKenzie Regional Workforce Center Advisory Board.
Timeline
June 2026: Former CEO Michael Johnson died unexpectedly.
2019 to 2021: Petty served as board chair.
Wednesday, November 11, 2026: The organization announced Petty as next CEO.
Friday, November 13, 2026: Petty joins the Youth of the Year program.
January 4, 2027: Petty begins her role as CEO.
Leadership Transition
Petty's move from Madison College's academic advancement division to the top job at Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County follows a pattern of local education and workforce leaders taking on nonprofit leadership roles. The change comes after the sudden loss of Michael Johnson and a period under interim leadership.
Families and youth enrolled in Boys and Girls Clubs of Dane County programs will see the organization under new executive leadership starting in January 2027. The transition from interim leadership gives the organization a permanent CEO who has long worked with its board and programs.
The takeaway
Long-serving board members with deep community ties are often well positioned to step into top leadership during periods of transition. Organizations facing sudden leadership losses benefit from continuity when a successor already knows the mission and staff.
What happens next
Petty joins the Youth of the Year program this Friday, November 13, 2026, and officially begins as CEO on January 4, 2027.
Further reading
For more coverage of leadership moves in the region, see People in Madison business news.
