Melissa Kristen Agard (born March 28, 1969) is an American small business owner and dedicated public servant. A lifelong resident of Madison, Wisconsin, she graduated from Madison East High School and earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1991.1
Before entering politics, Senator Agard co-founded Opacolor LLC, a digital photography and print studio. Her commitment to community service led her to seek a seat on the Dane County Board of Supervisors, where she served as part of the liberal majority for four years, chairing the Health and Human Needs Committee.
In 2012, Senator Agard was elected to the Wisconsin State Assembly, where she served four terms. In November 2020, she was elected to the Wisconsin State Senate, representing the 16th Senate district. During most of 2023, she also held the position of minority leader in the Senate.
Senator Agard’s vision for a better Wisconsin continues to drive her public service and community activism. She resides on Madison’s Northside and is a single mom to four sons. Her dedication to moving Wisconsin forward remains unwavering.
