James R. Ryan Lifetime Achievement Award – 2019 Winner

Lynn Green
Retired Director, Dane County Department of Human Services

Lynn Green retired earlier this year after 47 years with Dane County. She began her career with the state Division of Family Services in 1969 before becoming a social worker for Dane County in 1972. She was appointed administrator of the county’s Division of Children, Youth and Families in 2000 and was promoted to director of Human Services two years later. In her tenure as director, she presided over the implementation of several new initiatives to address the needs of children and families, including Children Come First, Joining Forces for Families, and the Early Childhood Initiative. Upon the announcement of her retirement, County Executive Joe Parisi told the Wisconsin State Journal: “Over four decades, Lynn has touched countless lives through her work with the Department of Human Services, navigating the ever-changing human services landscape with a steady hand and a deep dedication to our most vulnerable.”