Gerhardt was elected to represent District 2 in April 2020. In her six years on council, she championed sustainability, housing, and public transit. Gabriella has successfully advocated for the new Hosto Hoci park and community center on Traceway Drive (opened November 2025), a more affordable police facility that came in $10 million under budget (broke ground September 2025), and expanded bus and paratransit service (coming summer 2026).
Because of her leadership, the city was able to create a Sustainability Plan (adopted April 2025), built a USGS water monitoring station in Swan Creek, and has expanded its fleet of electric vehicles. She has been an important voice advocating for affordable housing initiatives within the city, including the Efficiency Navigator Program and a pilot for workforce housing in market-rate apartment buildings.
She currently serves as Council President, chairs the Finance Committee, and sits on Plan Commission, Transportation and Transit Committee, and Housing Advisory.
About Gabriella
Gerhardt spearheads fundraising at Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, strategically guiding initiatives that expand affordable homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income (LMI) families and provides essential home repairs for LMI homeowners. A trained geologist, she also demonstrates extraordinary dedication and focus outside of her professional work, holding five Guinness World Records related to four-leaf clovers, including the world’s largest collection of 118,791 clovers.
Previously, she was the Membership Manager at the Madison Children’s Museum, where she was instrumental in implementing the First Time Parent Membership and expanding the Family Access reduced price membership program.
Gabriella lives in Fitchburg with her husband Patrick and their two cat, Brienne. In her free time, she is a Girl Scout leader for a troop of Cadettes and enjoys rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving, knitting, and collecting four leaf clovers.
Gabriella and her husband Patrick after a Badger game.
Gabriella is a Girl Scout leader and Gold Award Girl Scout.
Gabriella used to work at the Madison Children’s Museum.
Gabriella collects four leaf clovers.
Gabriella has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and did graduate work at UW-Madison.
Gabriella works for the Morgridge Institute for Research, a non-profit biomedical research institute.
Gabriella holds the Guinness World Record for “Most four leaf clovers collected in 8 hours” with 887 four leaf clovers.
Gabriella is a rock climber.