Denise Wandke was recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in June 2023.

By the initiative of Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis, some forty individuals and organizations were recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and presented citations in a special meeting on June 22, 2023. "Today, we recommit Milwaukee County to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those who make a substantial positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County," Supervisor Burgelis stated. "Today we are making up for lost time. We have dozens of people to recognize, not because so much has been done in the past year, but because decades and even years ago, there was little to no recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. I am thankful to work with a Chairperson who enables our County Board to honor these well-deserving individuals."

Recognitions were made in the categories of "Community Leaders and Activists," "Government Leaders," "Business and Cultural Leaders," and "Health and Wellness Leaders". Wandke's citation (in which they are largely self-described) read as follows:

• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke was appointed as President and Managing Director of Milwaukee Transport Services on May 19, 2023; and
• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke, began her work for the Milwaukee County Transit System (MCTS) as a bus operator, and worked her way up to eventually serve as interim Managing Director, overseeing millions of rides across Milwaukee County; and
• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke actively works to promote inclusion in Milwaukee County with the newly designed MCTS Pride Bus, and led an employee driven design selection process for a Pride Bus that will be in service for an entire year; and
• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke recognizes that public transit reflects what is happening in the lives of all Milwaukee County residents, and in doing so has initiated programs to help increase the visibility of the bus as a safe place for all, working with the Milwaukee Police Department to officially designate MCTS buses as LGBTQ+ safe spaces; and
• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke led efforts to secure a $1 million grant for a 3-year program aimed at helping bus operators develop techniques and best practices to safely navigate unique interactions with all populations served, regardless of their background; and
• WHEREAS, Denise Wandke is recognized for her work to create an inclusive space on Milwaukee County Transit System buses and her support of the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County; now, therefore,
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisor Kathleen Vincent, along with Supervisors, Peter Burgelis, Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Willie Johnson, Jr., Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Sumner, Sequanna Taylor, Steve F. Taylor, Sheldon A. Wasserman, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Denise Wandke for her dedicated efforts and contributions to the community, and wish her prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all her personal and professional endeavors.