A Moment of Transition and Opportunity
After more than a decade leading FUSE together, James Weinberg and Nancy Gage have decided to begin a thoughtful leadership transition over the coming year.
This decision is grounded in the shared belief that FUSE is ready for its next chapter and well-positioned for new leadership to continue its growth and deepen its impact.
Nancy will step away from her role as President & COO this summer, as the organization welcomes a new Interim Chief Finance & Operating Officer. James will continue to serve as CEO through the onboarding of a new leader in the fall, ensuring continuity and momentum throughout.
“Leading FUSE has been the most powerful work of my career,” said James. “Together, we’ve built something that delivers extraordinary results. This is the right moment to pass the torch to new leadership to take this work to the next level. I could not be more excited for the opportunities ahead.”
Nancy added, “It has been a privilege to help build this organization alongside the staff, fellows, alumni, funders, and government partners who truly make this work matter. I am proud of what we created together, and excited to see what comes next for FUSE.”
Strong Foundations
FUSE is taking its next steps from a place of organizational strength. From its beginnings over 15 years ago, the organization has grown from an ambitious idea into a nationally recognized model for increasing local governments’ capacity to work more effectively for communities. Through more than 500 executive fellowship projects, FUSE has partnered with over 250 government agencies across 60 cities and counties in 30 states.
That work has helped reach more than 35 million residents, about 1 in 10 Americans, and has delivered tangible progress on some of the most pressing challenges facing the country, from economic mobility and housing to healthcare access, climate resilience, and public safety.
Just as importantly, the model continues to prove itself:
• 90% of government partners request additional projects,
• 50% of alumni remain in civic leadership roles, and
• $100 million mobilized for fellowship projects, unlocking hundreds of millions more in federal, state, and private grants for communities.
“When we started FUSE, the idea was to bring new leadership and new thinking into government at a time when cities needed it most,” said Lenny Mendonca, Co-Founder and Former Chair. “The success James and Nancy have achieved is extraordinary. They’ve proven the model works. Now we are focused on what it will take to build on that success, and I’m incredibly inspired about the opportunities ahead for FUSE.”
Looking Ahead
“The Board is fully engaged in supporting this transition and ensuring FUSE continues to move forward from a position of strength,” said Jeff Hébert, Chair of the Board of Directors. “We are grateful for James and Nancy’s leadership and will be thoughtful and dedicated to identifying the right leader to build on this foundation and extend FUSE’s reach even further.”
The Board of Directors is now leading a national search for FUSE’s next CEO, with the goal of identifying a leader who will help shape the organization’s next phase of growth and impact, ensuring FUSE continues to deliver results while exploring how to achieve even more in the years ahead.
As the CEO search begins, FUSE’s fellowship program continues without interruption. All of our current projects throughout the country will remain on track toward their goals and continue unaltered beyond the leadership transition. To all of our executive fellows in the field and the government partners who are hosting them, we extend our gratitude for your commitment to this work.
FUSE remains dedicated to helping governments better serve their communities by bringing new capacity, new ideas, and new leadership into the public sector. Today, the scale of what FUSE can deliver for cities is greater than ever.
With a proven model, a broad national network, a deeply committed group of philanthropic partners, and a Board focused on thoughtful stewardship, FUSE is working every day to deepen our impact nationwide and help shape what effective local government can look like for the next generation and beyond.