Renuka Mayadev is focused on improving the lives of children and families. Today, she works at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health in the Wisconsin Partnership Program as the Program Advisor for Maternal and Child Health. She works with community organizations, public health officials, academics, and providers to reduce the stark health inequities we see in maternal and birth outcomes across Wisconsin, disproportionally affecting our communities of color. Understanding the needs of infants and young children and a system of high-quality early childhood education, Mayadev is a Board Member of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA).  

Before joining UW, she was an executive at the United Way Central Ohio, overseeing the organization’s opportunity to bolster the success of public-school children, a portfolio of approximately $5M divided between early childhood education and supporting high school graduation investments.

Mayadev spent nearly six years as Executive Director of Children’s Defense Fund-Ohio (CDF).  Under her leadership, CDF emerged as a trusted voice for Ohio’s children. Mayadev and her team worked to improve children’s access to healthcare, expose the impact of zero-tolerance school discipline policies, and address the vital needs of children and families in urban and rural areas.  

Mayadev also served in the Ohio Governor’s (D) office as the lead policy advisor on juvenile justice, public safety, rehabilitation and corrections, and workers' compensation issues.  

Renuka Mayadev graduated from Northwestern University, where she majored in Economics with a concentration in Spanish. She received her law degree from the Georgetown University Law Center.  

She lives on the west side with her husband and two children.