Uniting Stakeholders to Build a Safe, Healthy, and Educational Life for D.C.’s Children

About Us
About Us
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to engage communities, advance racial equity, and work more effectively for everyone.
About us Overview
Our Model
The FUSE Model centers around a one-year full-time public service role in city or county government and includes three primary phases from start to finish.
Our Fellows & Alumni
FUSE Executive Fellows and Alumni are experienced leaders committed to advancing equity through action-oriented partnerships with government agencies.
FUSE Careers
FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to engage communities, advance racial equity, and work more effectively for everyone.
Our Team
The FUSE team and board of directors are committed to driving equitable change locally and nationally.
Work with FUSE
Work with FUSE
The power of government. The experience of community. The impact of new ideas. Together we can build better systems
Work with FUSE Overview
Partner With FUSE
The FUSE Model centers around a one-year full-time public service role in city or county government and includes three primary phases from start to finish.
Executive Fellowship Program
FUSE Executive Fellows and Alumni are experienced leaders committed to advancing equity through action-oriented partnerships with government agencies.
Newsroom
Read more about our work, partner success, and updates.
Our Projects
Our Projects
Through strategic collaboration, these initiatives harness innovative solutions and practices to bridge gaps in healthcare access.
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Health
Expanding access to affordable health care and mental health resources to improve key indicators of community health.
Justice
Enhancing public safety and reform of criminal justice by changing policing, 911 dispatching, bail, sentencing, probation, reentry.
Education
Improving options for childcare, early education, STEM, out-of-school-time, and post-secondary enrollment and affordability.
Climate
Building new infrastructure, disaster resilience, renewable energy, green economy jobs, and plans to reduce emissions.
Housing
Addressing issues of homelessness, housing insecurity, gentrification, and the need to preserve and build more affordable housing.
Jobs
Increasing the number of living-wage jobs and preparing for the future of work through expanded job training.
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FUSE Executive Fellow Lisa Gans focused on changing the strategic approach of the Washington D.C. Promise Neighborhoods Initiative (DCPNI), a local coalition providing youth development support to ensure that children in the Parkside/Kenilworth neighborhood reach adulthood ready to participate in the economic and civic life of their community. During her fellowship, Lisa successfully developed a five year strategic plan that engaged DCPNI’s more than 40 partners. Lisa quarterbacked the grant that enabled DCPNI to win a historic $28 million investment to increase educational outcomes for our students through the provision of wraparound services and support to families.

LISA GANS (2012-13) has a background in human rights law and international development. She began her legal career at the firm of Debevoise & Plimpton in New York and went on to work on human rights and development issues around the world with non-governmental organizations, including the Egyptian Organization for Human Rights Legal Aid Project, The International Rescue Committee, the International Bar Association, the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, Medica Mondiale, and the International Medical Corps. Most recently, Lisa founded Aperture Innovation Labs, providing a range of strategic planning, innovation, and legal services to a broad range of clients. Lisa earned a B.A. from Harvard in Near Eastern languages and civilizations and a J.D. from Columbia Law School.

Lisa Gans

2012-2013 | Washington D.C. - D.C. Promise Neighborhood Initiative

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