The Brady Street Business Improvement District has named Anna Matel Antoine as its new executive director, the organization announced Tuesday.

Antoine, a Milwaukee native, most recently served as tourism director for the Town of Brookfield, a role she held for more than five years. According to the BID, she brings experience in tourism, business development and marketing to the position.

She succeeds Michael Sander, who began serving in the role in 2024.

Brady Street, located on Milwaukee’s Lower East Side, is home to a mix of restaurants, bars, retailers and residential buildings and serves as a major destination for both residents and visitors. The corridor also hosts a summer street festival.

“With a fully engaged board of directors, enthusiastic staff and dedicated business owners, (Antoine) will lead the Brady Street BID in its mission to continue creating a vibrant, safe and inclusive neighborhood in the heart of Milwaukee’s East Side,” said Michelle Eigenberger, BID chair.

“Having grown up in Milwaukee, I’ve seen firsthand how special Brady Street is,” Antoine said in the announcement. “I’m passionate about helping it continue to thrive by supporting our amazing businesses, attracting visitors, and building an even stronger sense of community.”

As executive director, Antoine will oversee the BID’s strategic initiatives and work with business owners, residents and community partners to promote economic development and support the Brady Street corridor.

In recent years, the BID has also been involved in discussions surrounding pedestrian and traffic safety along the busy corridor following several crashes involving pedestrians.

Beginning in December, the intersection of Brady Street and Humboldt Boulevard has operated under an all-red flashing signal, effectively functioning as a four-way stop. Additional traffic-calming improvements are planned this fall between Cass Street and Warren Avenue through a partnership between the BID and Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works. Potential upgrades include raised crosswalks, speed tables and curb bump-outs designed to slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. The BID also explored the possibility of fully pedestrianizing part of Brady Street in 2022 and 2023, though the proposal did not move beyond the study phase.