For more than 50 years, Briarpatch Youth Services in Madison has served as an important organization to the youth of Dane County providing services, resources, and counsel. In February 2023, the organization announced that Jill Pfeiffer will lead the organization as its new executive director, succeeding Gloria Reyes, who stepped down in July of last year.

“Briarpatch provides critical programs to Dane County youth and I am thrilled to be joining the team. I am entering this role with humility and a deep understanding that our youth are experiencing a time of both significant challenges and opportunities to flourish,” Pfeiffer stated in a press release. 

“Building upon years of fund development experience, it is my hope to bring resources into the agency that will allow staff and youth the opportunity to develop solutions and programs that help youth to thrive,” she continued. “I am grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside the Briarpatch staff members, board members, volunteers, partners, funders and supporters with the shared purpose of strengthening the lives of youth and families.”

Through collaboration with non-profit organizations and local government, Briarpatch is able to give aid to around 2,000 at-risk youth a year in the Dane County area, along with aiding families of at-risk youth. Pfeiffer spent her undergraduate at UW-Madison and has worked in the non-profit sector for 25 years, which began by running afterschool
programming at the Wexford Ridge Neighborhood Center in the mid-90s.