Blogs

As communities across the country confront the accelerating demands of the climate crisis, local governments are stepping forward with ambitious plans, and increasingly, they are turning to FUSE Executive Fellows to help bring them to life. The Fall 2024 cohort exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration, applied innovation, and community-centered leadership to drive systems change that endures well beyond their fellowship.

See how FUSE Executive Fellows help cities modernize utilities, cut energy costs, reduce flood risk, and build community trust.

Across the country, local governments are addressing some of today’s most complex challenges, including expanding affordable housing, strengthening small business ecosystems, accelerating climate action, and building inclusive pathways to opportunity. This fall, 20 FUSE Executive Fellows are partnering with city and county leaders to drive bold, community-centered solutions that advance resilience and economic mobility.

The current energy and infrastructure transition in the United States might seem incremental—even slow. But considering the breadth of plans emerging from cities across the country, the work ahead represents an incredible shift. According to the NRDC, “Achieving net zero by 2050 [a goal in line with many city and regional energy plans] will require generating 84 to 95 percent of the U.S. energy supply from renewable sources.”

Serving on the City of Cincinnati’s Energy Team as a FUSE Executive Fellow, I have contributed my federal climate policy expertise and aided in connections with diverse community stakeholders and organizations as a member of the Cincinnati Green Bank (CGB) Steering Committee.

Los Angeles County is embarking on a transformative journey to fundamentally reimagine its approach to justice through a groundbreaking “Care First, Jail Last” initiative that prioritizes community-based care over incarceration. After two decades of addressing jail overcrowding, the County has committed to closing Men’s Central Jail (MCJ) while simultaneously building a robust network of community … Continued

As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Martin Challinor (2024—25) worked with the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish a Project Management Office (PMO) aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and responsiveness. He introduced a structured, gateway-based project governance framework to align initiatives with strategic objectives. He also led the development and execution of a comprehensive database and process solution to support DEP’s multi-billion dollar 10 year capital budget planning, while laying the foundation for the creation of the agency-wide Office of Performance and Program Management (OPPM)—securing resources, tools, and devising processes.

Bernalillo County, New Mexico is working to preserve agricultural land and expand access to land-based opportunities. The County is partnering with FUSE for the first time to accomplish this goal, where a FUSE Executive Fellow will spend 12 months developing and implementing strategic recommendations to strengthen landowner-grower connections, enhancing public outreach, and supporting inclusive engagement … Continued

The Spring 2024 Cohort may have concluded earlier this year, but the impact our fellows have made in local communities is ongoing. We are highlighting a couple of standout projects that have made some tangible outcomes for local governments and the residents they serve. Plus, see where our Spring 2024 fellows are now!