Today, Melvin Carter begins his tenure as Chief Executive Officer of FUSE, a national nonprofit that helps local governments accelerate solutions to complex challenges. Through an executive fellowship program, FUSE places experienced leaders within local government agencies to help address issues related to economic opportunity, affordable housing, public safety, climate resilience, and more.
Carter joins FUSE after two decades in local and state government, most recently as Mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota. His signature accomplishments include founding the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood, creating universal college savings accounts for children born in the city, securing a 20-year infrastructure investment for city streets, parks, and bikeways, making historic investments in housing, and cutting gun violence by 70 percent through a Community-First public safety framework co-designed with residents.
A founding member and former national co-chair of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, Melvin was one of five mayors invited to testify at the inaugural hearing of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Climate Crisis, and is the subject of two case studies published by Harvard Business School. He has written on poverty, public safety, and civic leadership for CNN, Newsweek, and Stanford Social Innovation Review.
As CEO, Carter will continue to build on FUSE’s flagship fellowship program and strengthen relationships with local leaders, helping turn what works in one city into progress that can benefit the entire country.
“Local communities are a powerful engine of innovation and progress,” said Carter. “I’m excited to join FUSE and continue helping civic leaders execute, innovate, and work together to lead our country forward.”
Carter was selected following a months-long national search that considered more than 1,100 applicants.
“When the Board set out on this search, we wanted someone who wouldn’t just build on what FUSE has accomplished, but carry that momentum forward with real conviction,” said Jeff Hébert, Board Chair of FUSE and CEO of HR&A Advisors. “Melvin was our first and unanimous choice. He’s spent his career building systems that last, and he understands how to turn that kind of change into real results. That gives us a lot of confidence and excitement about where he’ll take this organization.”
Carter succeeds James Weinberg, who has served as CEO since 2014. Under Weinberg’s leadership, FUSE led over 500 executive fellowship projects in more than 250 city and county agencies across 33 states. Weinberg will remain engaged as a senior advisor through the end of this year to support a smooth transition.
“It has been the greatest honor of my career to lead this organization,” said Weinberg. “Alongside a remarkable community of staff, fellows, civic leaders, and funders, FUSE has helped governments across the country work more effectively for their communities and accelerate systems change. I cannot imagine a stronger leader for what comes next than Melvin Carter, and I am excited for him to carry this work forward.”
Lenny Mendonca, Co-Founder and Chair Emeritus of FUSE, also reflected on FUSE’s last 15 years. Mendonca is a Senior Partner Emeritus at McKinsey & Company and is the Former Chief Economic and Business Advisor for the State of California.
“FUSE believes local leaders are closest to their communities, and that the right people, in the right roles, at the right times can help turn ideas into action,” he said. “James helped bring that vision to life, building a fellowship model that has helped hundreds of local governments tackle some of their toughest challenges. Melvin embodies that same belief in the power of local leadership, and I’m excited for him to carry this work forward.”
About FUSE
Founded in 2011, FUSE is a national nonprofit that strengthens local government by embedding experienced leaders alongside public servants to accelerate solutions to complex challenges.
Through its Executive Fellowship program, FUSE Executive Fellows spend one to two years working with local government agencies on issues ranging from public safety and affordable housing to economic opportunity and climate action. The fellowship model helps local leaders launch programs, advance policy, build organizational capacity, and create solutions that last beyond a Fellow’s tenure.
More than 250 city and county agencies across 33 states have partnered with FUSE, which is supported by some of the nation’s leading philanthropic organizations.
To learn more, visit fuse.org.