Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.
Dwayne Marks has a diverse work experience spanning various industries and roles. Dwayne started their career as a Dept. Manager at Toys R Us, where they successfully increased sales and provided training to new hires. Dwayne then transitioned to the International Church of Christ, where they served as a Campus Leader, overseeing large groups, conducting fundraising activities, and organizing conferences. Dwayne later pursued higher education and obtained a Master's degree in MIS from Concordia University-Wisconsin.
In their professional career, Dwayne worked at Wellpoint Care Network as a Fiscal Liaison and later as the Vice President of Child and Family Wellbeing. Dwayne demonstrated strong financial and data analysis skills, ensuring financial integrity and providing critical information for decision-making.
Dwayne also gained experience in the public sector, working at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families as a Research Analyst Advanced. Dwayne played a key role in developing research and implementation plans for pertinent legislation.
Most recently, Dwayne held the position of Founder, President, and CEO at Black Orchid Research, a company specializing in using data to drive insights for organizations and policy-making. Currently, they serve as the Vice President of Operations at Wisconsin Community Services, Inc., overseeing various functions such as human resources, fund development, compliance, and quality assurance. Dwayne collaborates with other executive leaders to improve program service delivery and mitigate risks.
Dwayne Marks holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Management Information Systems from Concordia University-Wisconsin. Prior to that, they obtained a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In terms of additional certifications, Dwayne has completed the "Data Science Orientation" course at Coursera, and they have also attained the "Oracle Database Foundations Junior Associate" certification. Furthermore, Dwayne is in the process of obtaining a Project Management Certification from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc.
For 110 years, Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. (WCS) has served individuals who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in the behavioral health system and the justice system, as well as other vulnerable community members. As one of the state’s oldest and largest criminal justice and behavioral health nonprofit community-based organizations, the agency has developed an outstanding skill and competency to provide quality services that are effective, welcoming, compassionate, and responsive throughout southeast Wisconsin. We provide a continuum of support and care, enabling individuals to build skills and overcome adversity, such as substance use, mental health needs, criminal justice involvement and employment obstacles. WCS addresses the individual and systemic barriers that prevent members of our communities from leading productive and healthy lives. In 1912, when the agency began, its name was the “Society of the Friendless” as it primarily served men returning to the community from prison. From 1912 through 1918, the society was a one-person show, small, but vitally important to the many men aided on their journeys from prison to responsible citizenship. In 1941 the “Society for the Friendless” was legally incorporated as “The Wisconsin Service Association. In 1966, the agency once again changed its name. It became Wisconsin Correctional Services (WCS). Under that title, the agency grew from a staff of 10 to more than 200 by 2003 when the agency adopted its current name of Wisconsin Community Services, Inc., (WCS) reflecting, not a change in mission, but an expansion and adaptation. WCS began as a tiny effort and its impact has grown beyond what its Wisconsin founders likely ever envisioned. Today, as a 501c3 non-profit, WCS serves more than 15,000 individuals annually through more than 50 unique programs. The agency has 460 employees and a budget of almost $45,000,000.