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 the FUSE Fellowship.
Over the last year or two, FUSE Executive Fellows partnered with city and county agencies to expand access to renewable energy, strengthen pathways to quality green jobs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and prepare local workforces for the opportunities of a rapidly evolving climate economy. Their efforts delivered measurable outcomes: securing millions in new funding, launching pilot programs, advancing policy recommendations, building public-private partnerships, and engaging thousands of residents in shaping programs that meet community needs.
Yet their impact extends further still. Many fellows have continued in government roles, carrying forward work they helped launch, while others have stepped into influential positions across sectors, advancing climate resilience, economic development, public health, urban planning, and community well-being at broader scales. Their trajectories underscore the enduring impact of the FUSE Fellowship and the transformative leadership that FUSE Executive Fellows bring to public institutions across the nation.
The following project highlights showcase the achievements and continued impact of our Fall 2024 cohort, from fellows who strengthened climate action infrastructure in their host governments, to those advancing opportunity and resilience in new leadership roles. Together, they represent what is possible when bold ideas meet community-driven solutions and dedicated leaders are empowered to drive change.
Funding Renewable Energy Expansion
Nikki Vandivort collaborated with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability to optimize federal resources, develop policies, and secure grants, thereby increasing accessibility to renewable energy and electrification infrastructure.
Key Highlights
- 39 employees trained
- 4 pilot programs launched
- $280,000 grants secured for initiative
Key Areas of Impact
- Outreach & Education: Led (7) webinars with 2030 District & Leadership Council for Nonprofits and (11) 1:1 consultations with 9 tax-exempt orgs; reached over 330 leaders, stakeholders, and individuals.
- Funding: Won $250,000 Municipal Investment Fund and $30,000 USDN grant. Guided funding agreements to officially establish the Cincinnati Green Bank and support a low-income home energy upgrade program.
- Strategy: Achieved SolSmart Silver designation for the City of Cincinnati.
Vandivort continues the work she began as a FUSE Executive Fellow with the City of Cincinnati as a clean energy & climate resilience manager, leading and supporting the facilitation of additional clean energy production to serve the needs of City facilities and the community in pursuit of Green Cincinnati Plan goals, advancing market-building activities that activate residents, the City, and organizations across sectors to pursue improved energy efficiency and clean energy solutions, and supporting the development of resilience hubs and climate resilience in Cincinnati.
Expanding Economic Opportunities Through Green Workforce Development
Thanapat Vichitchot collaborated with the City of Cincinnati’s Office of Environment and Sustainability to support the formation of a Quality Green Jobs Agenda, culminating in an inclusive green workforce action plan.
Key Highlights
- 127 private-public partnerships
- 3 pilot programs launched
- 20 residents engaged in program design
Key Areas of Impact
- Reporting & Policy Recommendations: Publicly released the commissioned formal Cincinnati green workforce landscape analysis report with partners and contributed to 8 of 10 report recommendations.
- Funding: Garnered $350,000 in support from a private foundation grant and a city council ordinance for sustainability and training contractor implementation.
- Training: Initiated the request for proposal process to secure a Building Performance Institute Trainer to provide contractor upskilling training to at least 25 individuals through the Building Analyst Professional certification.
Vichitchot continues the work he began as a FUSE Executive Fellow with the City of Cincinnati as a green workforce development manager, driving cross-sector collaboration and strengthening green economy career pathways aligned with the City’s climate goals.
Working with mid-career professionals who can self-service with their employer. That’s been a real strength of this model.
FUSE Government Partner
Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
Emily Stapleton worked with Washoe County’s County Manager’s Office to deliver the County’s first-ever Climate Action Plan (CAP), which County Commissioners adopted in March 2025.
Key Highlights
- 89 private-public partnerships
- 5 pilot programs launched
- 1000 residents engaged in program design
Key Areas of Impact
- Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Assessment: Delivered a Community-wide GHG inventory consistent with the US Community Protocol.
- Community Outreach: Conducted multi-channel, accessible, culturally competent community outreach to over 1,500 people and 50 organizations to understand local climate impacts and priorities.
- CAP Implementation: Developed CAP performance management dashboards, the beginning of a Building Performance Standard (BPS), a SolSmart Bronze application, and a plan to increase walking, biking, and transit trips to Washoe County facilities.
Stapleton is currently an investor & limited partner at Emmeline Ventures, a women-led venture fund that invests in founders building game-changing businesses that empower women, particularly in managing their health, building their wealth, and living in a cleaner, safer world.
Developing a Climate Action-Ready Workforce
Nathan Chai collaborated with the Salt Lake City Department of Sustainability to inform workforce planning and analysis under the new Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), aiming to increase green job opportunities for residents.
Key Highlights
- 21 private-public partnerships
- 2 innovation labs hosted
- 50 residents engaged in program design
Key Areas of Impact
- Reporting & Analysis: Completed Salt Lake’s first clean energy regional jobs landscape and gap analysis, sharing forecasts required to support a $1M+ city grant.
- Partnerships & Innovation: Hosted two innovation labs for the city and engaged over 50 internal, community, and potential partner leaders to map the current workforce
development landscape. - Strategy: Developed a strategic plan for apprenticeships city-wide. Designed a program approach for a waste and recycling apprenticeship for certified drivers
Chai now serves as an executive consultant at the University of Utah, launching a workforce enablement and development strategy that accelerates small businesses and key regional employers in the energy and infrastructure sectors.
More Fellows, More Impact
Gary Campanella and Ni Kal S. Price are each continuing into Year 2 of their FUSE Fellowships, further deepening their partnerships, expanding their bodies of work, and building on the foundations established during their first year of impact. Their extended service reflects both the complexity of the systems they are transforming and the value they bring to their host agencies as long-term strategic partners.
- Sheronda Helton supported the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s comprehensive needs assessment and helped develop a five-year plan focused on expanding access to youth-friendly healthcare, including mental health resources. She is now a Universal PreKindergarten (UPK) research specialist with the Department!
- Stephen Kelch collaborated with the City of Columbus Department of Public Safety to develop a data-driven framework for selecting and siting advanced sensor technologies, benchmarking best practices from other cities, and establishing a public safety advisory committee to guide decision-making. Kelch continues his role as a managing member of Kelch Consulting, LLC., providing specialized consulting services in AI/IT-driven business process redesign, cloud infrastructure, and IT project management across logistics, retail, and public safety sectors.
- Linda Frazier collaborated with the City of Cleveland Mayor’s Office to manage the North Coast Connector project, foster relationships with stakeholders, oversee its development, and establish a team and processes for its ongoing operation beyond her fellowship tenure. She now continues her work in private practice as a strategic legal advisor and consultant to corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and corporate foundations, as well as supporting the foundation she founded for people living with spinal cord injuries and diseases, the Stephen Barry Foundation.
- Fred A. Clay assisted the City of Hayward Department of Public Works & Utilities in executing transportation-related Climate Action Plan strategies to increase the use of alternative, active transportation methods among residents. He now continues his work as a principal consultant with Clay Leadership and Consulting.
- Valerie Feinberg partnered with the City of Jacksonville Mayor’s Office to design and implement ordinances, policies, and strategic plans that will increase urban forestry solutions that decrease Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. She continues her work as a consultant in urban planning.
- Maria Yuan collaborated with the Travis County Office of Emergency Management to develop a comprehensive Countywide resilience plan that addresses the growing climate emergencies and weather hazards the county faces. Yuan continues her work as a strategy consultant, as well as the CEO of IssueVoter, a nonpartisan nonprofit she founded to increase voter turnout, education, and engagement.
I absolutely would do it all over again. FUSE provides a wonderful experience and opportunity to kind of get that foot in the door.
Fall 2024 Year 2 FUSE Executive Fellow
Ready to take your career to the next level? View our open fellowship opportunities >>
