Associate: Milwaukee Area Technical College
Bachelor’s: Alverno College
MBA: Concordia University
In 2023 Jackie Q. Carter was named director of Port Milwaukee, the first woman and first person of color to hold the position. In her two years at the helm, the port brought in nearly 5 million tons of cargo along with 57 cruise vessels and more than 25,000 passengers to the city. In this role, she oversaw business development, infrastructure and operations, while pursuing international partnerships to grow regional trade and tourism.
In July 2025, Carter was appointed director of the City of Milwaukee Department of Employee Relations, overseeing the city’s 7,000 workers, a role she will step into later this month.
Carter serves on the boards of the Milwaukee Harbor District, Wisconsin Marine Historical Society and Project Kindred. She is also a member of the Social Development Commission, a member of the Inland Rivers Ports and Terminals board (representing the Great Lakes River Basin), and a member of the NAF advisory board at James Madison Academic Campus.
Prior to joining Port Milwaukee, she worked in the local nonprofit and public sectors for more than 20 years.
