FUSE Blog
Spring 2022 Executive Fellows On Impacting Underserved Communities
July 6, 2022
The Spring 2022 Cohort is in full swing! Through their FUSE projects working with local cities and counties, FUSE Executive Fellows share their hopes to connect with and uplift historically underserved communities.… Continued
Increasing Economic Opportunities Through a Human-Centered Lens
July 5, 2022
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Autumn McDonald (2015-16) worked with the San Francisco Office of the Mayor to help lead a women's economic empowerment agenda, which included shaping policies and public-private initiatives, as well as designing the Bay Area Women’s Empowerment and Opportunity Summit.… Continued
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
May 31, 2022
In honor of this month, we are reflecting on the work of our executive fellows and how they are continuing to push the needle forward in the mission for a more equitable society.… Continued
Empowering Underrepresented Small Business Owners
May 19, 2022
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Rafael Bracero (2017-18) worked with the Los Angeles Office of Finance to improve how the city communicates its available services to underrepresented small business owners and streamline the registration and permitting processes for L.A. businesses. … Continued
Empowering Young Adults Through Education
May 2, 2022
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Patrice Berry (2018-20) worked with the Oakland Mayor’s Office to institute innovations and technology that empower young adults, giving them access to the resources they need to prepare for postsecondary education. In this role, she trained and educated counselors, advisors, students, and families on key resources, helped Oakland launch its multi-million-dollar digital divide initiative, and supported the development of a policy that enables schools and districts to apply for an extension for the state financial aid application during moments of crisis or emergency.… Continued
Historic Problems, New Solutions
April 1, 2022
The old adage “health is wealth” speaks to a pervasive human truth, particularly in New Orleans, where a hurricane season within a pandemic exposed a stark reality: the gap between Black and White health and wealth is widening. This isn’t news to a city where the link between the two is well documented, and where a complex history has blurred racial lines beyond simple definition.… Continued
From Founder to Accelerator
March 4, 2022
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Hua Wang (2018-19) worked with the District of Columbia Office of the City Administrator to help implement an integrated approach to customer service. … Continued
Leveraging Data to Re-Think Public Safety
January 27, 2022
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Dr. Jessica Herbert (2018-20) worked with the Los Angeles County Probation Department, Juvenile Services Division (JSD) to support JSD’s transition within juvenile justice reform.… Continued
FUSE Executive Fellowship Launches Much More Than Local Policy
December 10, 2021
Dan Correa helped inspire and catalyze American innovation in science and technology as a FUSE Executive Fellow (2014-15) in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. … Continued
Fall 2021 Fellows Share Their Inspiration and Hopes for Change
December 1, 2021
The Fall 2021 projects launched at the end of October! Recently, the FUSE Executive Fellows shared what inspired them about the FUSE fellowship and what they hope to achieve through their project.… Continued
From Investment Ecosystem Groundwork to Venture Development
November 16, 2021
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Stacy Cumberbatch (2019-20) worked with the Riverside County Economic Development Agency to develop an Opportunity Zone strategy that would lay the groundwork for an investment ecosystem that could effectively serve the local community.… Continued
Finding Efficient & Cost-Effective Ways to Reduce Energy Load in New Orleans
October 7, 2021
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Priya Dey-Sarkar (2017-19) worked with the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) to reduce its carbon footprint by finding efficient and cost-effective ways to reduce its energy load. She helped increase operational reliability through increasing data visibility, launched risk-prioritized power reliability frameworks, and created safety programs for a complex power and pumping network. Following her fellowship, Priya joined NV Energy as a Senior Engineer in gas distribution and operations.… Continued
Evaluating Pilot Community-Based Policing in Pittsburgh, PA
October 7, 2021
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Mica L. Williams (2019-20) worked with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police to evaluate a pilot community-based policing unit. As part of this work, Mica developed strategic recommendations for improving and replicating the model throughout the city. After her fellowship, she joined Foundation of HOPE, an inter-faith organization offering support services to youths and adults impacted by the criminal justice system.… Continued
Summer 2021 Cohort Details Why They Chose a Year of Impact
September 28, 2021
As our summer cohort sets out on their FUSE Executive Fellowships, they’ve shared their inspiration behind a year of service. Read more: Alli Chagi Starr The Covid-19 pandemic has impacted everyone, but especially those communities that have been historically and systemically marginalized. As a working, single parent, I experience the financial pressures of balancing childcare
Accelerating Impact and Innovation within Government
July 29, 2021
As a FUSE Executive Fellow, Niles Friedman worked with the State of California to establish an Office of Innovation for the California Health and Human Services Agency (CHHS). Niles went on to serve as a Strategic Advisor with the Los Angeles County CEO’s Office, where he supported the launch of their first Analytics Center of Excellence.… Continued
Bridging Passions for Justice Reform and Entrepreneurship Through Barbecue
June 4, 2021
After his fellowship, Carlos realized his longtime dream of opening a restaurant and catering business—Memphis Mac in Baton Rouge, Louisiana—that employs and trains formerly incarcerated staff, a project that came together with the help of his wife, a former public defender.… Continued
Our Spring Cohort Shares What Motivated Them to Become FUSE Fellows
May 21, 2021
As the FUSE Spring 2021 cohort embarks on their journeys to advance racial equity and ensure a just recovery from the pandemic, they share their personal motivations for becoming FUSE Executive Fellows. Read more.… Continued
Transforming Critical Infrastructure at the National, State, and Local Levels
April 30, 2021
Since his FUSE executive fellowship, Jeremy Goldberg has held leadership roles in three city governments and the State of New York. Read more about his journey to local government, state government, and most recently the private sector.… Continued
Channeling Sisyphus
April 28, 2021
Our newest board member, Miguel Solis, couples a passion for public service with deep expertise in education policy and community-based economic development. Read more about his journey and inspiration into public service.… Continued
Strengthening Higher Education in St. Louis
March 30, 2021
Applying FUSE mindset to strengthen higher education at St. Louis Community College by redesigning systems and practices.… Continued
FUSE Stands with the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community
March 19, 2021
This week we mourn the lives of eight people in Atlanta, Georgia, six of them, Asian American women. Hate, misogyny, and racism all played a critical role in this attack, which has not yet been designated as a hate crime despite the number of Asian victims and the fact that Asian businesses were targeted.… Continued
Catalyzing Economic Resilience In and Out of Local Government
March 1, 2021
Building climate and economic resilience through an entrepreneurial lens.… Continued
Our Fellows Are Ready to Make an Impact in Cities Across the Country
February 5, 2021
The new winter cohort speaks to what led them to a year of public service.… Continued
Championing Smart Technology in the Fight for Clean Air
January 29, 2021
Empowering L.A. communities suffering from pollution to improve their health and environment with data.… Continued
Addressing Systemic Barriers to Education in Fresno
January 5, 2021
Actively incorporating the voices of students historically left out of the education planning process.… Continued
Meet Our Fall 2020 Fellows
November 19, 2020
Our fall 2020 fellows discuss why they chose to dedicate a year to public service.… Continued
Reimagining the Future of Transportation
November 6, 2020
Co-founding a transportation venture at the intersection of sustainability, technology, and smart cities.… Continued
Addressing the Juvenile Justice System in L.A. County
October 19, 2020
Working to reduce recidivism by bolstering leadership and engaging the community.… Continued
How Legacy Processes Change on Your Watch
September 25, 2020
Concrete steps for changing long-standing processes in government.… Continued
Solutions to Empower Small Business Owners in D.C.
September 1, 2020
Helping underserved entrepreneurs thrive in Washington D.C.… Continued
Bringing Equity to the Forefront of Local Justice Systems
August 18, 2020
Bridging the gap between criminal justice and behavioral health in St. Louis.… Continued
Why Organization Leaders Should Support Employee Self-Care
July 30, 2020
Prioritizing and investing in self-care in the workplace.… Continued
Developing Technology to Make a Broader Impact
July 6, 2020
Rethinking innovation in the education technology space.… Continued
A Networked Model Will Create the Organizational Leaders You Really Need
June 30, 2020
Applying an organizational framework to unlocking leadership potential.… Continued
We Can Work Together. History Tells Me So
June 24, 2020
Perspectives from a FUSE fellow who worked with law enforcement professionals and the Black community they serve.… Continued
A City Innovates for Its Survival
June 22, 2020
While median income and poverty rates point to a larger economic struggle in the face of COVID-19, Fresno is leveraging innovative strategies in its push for progress.… Continued
Communities of Color Should Not Need to Protest
June 16, 2020
Our nation needs to understand how individual acts of racism are a reflection of systemic acts of racism.… Continued
A Purpose-Driven Vocation
May 27, 2020
Creating equity for young people of color through her purpose-driven firm.… Continued
These Changemakers Are Ready for Their Year of Public Service
May 19, 2020
Our spring cohort shares what drew them to a year of impact in local government.… Continued
When the COVID-19 Crisis Hit, Here’s How FUSE Fellows Moved Into High Gear
April 14, 2020
FUSE fellows take on resilience support in health, housing, economic development, and more.… Continued
Social Impact From a Human Resources Lens
March 31, 2020
Working at the intersection of public policy and human resources.… Continued
Expanding Digital Inclusion to Reach Angelenos
March 2, 2020
Providing better access to digital connectivity and literacy training.… Continued
I Am Proof of Both Failure and Success
February 11, 2020
Understanding both individual and community needs to enact sustainable juvenile justice reform.… Continued
Redefining Responsible Development in Washington D.C.
February 3, 2020
Founding his own think tank to pursue poverty reduction through education, public health, and community development.… Continued
Ensuring Everyone in Allegheny County Has a Home
January 23, 2020
Building on innovative problem-solving approaches to prioritize homelessness in Allegheny County.… Continued
Can Government Be Delightful?
January 9, 2020
FUSE alum Hua Wang details key lessons from a year of public service.… Continued
Finding Her Roots From the 45th Floor
December 11, 2019
Pursuing her passion for San Francisco and affordable housing beyond FUSE.… Continued
Taking on the Opioid Crisis
December 11, 2019
Connecting lived experience to professional experiences in order to address the opioid epidemic.… Continued
Why I’m Committing to a Year of Social Impact
October 24, 2019
Learn why these changemakers decided to take on a year of public service.… Continued
Dedicating a Year to Public Service
July 16, 2019
What made these talented professionals switch gears and work with civic organizations?… Continued
How Innovative Government Agencies Use Data to Better Serve Their Communities
May 21, 2019
Sharing innovative insights from San Francisco, New Orleans, and Pittsburgh. … Continued
How Three Government Agencies Are Helping Underserved Communities
February 4, 2019
Helping better serve their most vulnerable residents.… Continued
What It Takes to Lead Transformational Change
January 24, 2019
It takes the right combination of leadership styles and a diverse set of skills.… Continued
How to Design for Catalytic Change in Government
December 5, 2018
What it takes to create a high-impact project that will drive change.… Continued
The Lasting Impact of a FUSE Project
November 7, 2018
Culture change, collective learning, and catalyzing new ways of thinking are a few of the intangible yet valuable outcomes of our fellowship program.… Continued
Why I Chose a Year of Public Service
November 6, 2018
"I could not pass up the opportunity to play a critical role in facilitating change that is so important." … Continued
Increasing Financial Aid Access to Make College More Affordable
August 23, 2018
A bad "customer experience" should not be a barrier to getting a college degree.… Continued
A Tale of Two Maker Cities: What One Silicon Valley City Learned from a Trip to Pittsburgh
August 16, 2018
FUSE fellow Parker Thomas is bringing the maker education lessons he learned while visiting schools and libraries in Pittsburgh to Fremont.… Continued
The Promise of Higher Education for Stockton Youth
January 31, 2018
A $20 million grant is the first step to help get Stockton youth to college.… Continued
Meeting of the Minds: What They Learned
January 10, 2018
Five strategic ways to tackle the most complex challenges.… Continued
Transparency: That’s the Key to Equitable Government
November 8, 2017
The San Francisco Ethics Commission was established to … Continued
The Challenges and Opportunities of Driving Innovative Change
October 26, 2017
It all comes down to people skills. … Continued
Building Trust Through Transparency
September 22, 2017
Be tactful, democratic, and consistent.… Continued
Why One Year Is Enough
July 19, 2017
Meaningful improvements can happen in just one year.… Continued
What I’ve Learned About Building Meaningful Connections
June 27, 2017
Hint: Check your ego at the door.… Continued
Furthering California’s Data Efforts
October 14, 2016
When government data are freely available for everyone to use and republish as they wish, they can drive social change.… Continued
FUSE Fellows at CGI America: A Unique Opportunity
July 20, 2016
"Our efforts to support the immigrant communities of Los Angeles, whether from the perspective of an entrepreneur or a naturalizing citizen, are also happening in similar ways in communities across the country."… Continued
Helping San Francisco Youth Succeed in STEM Fields
July 6, 2016
"I realized that all the work I was doing wasn’t just about getting a good return on investment or reaching a certain metric. It was about helping these youth achieve their dreams."… Continued
How to Build an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem
April 5, 2016
Civic innovators from three sectors share tools and tips.… Continued
Top 5 Reasons to Become a Fellow
September 9, 2012
Working hand-in-hand providing strategic support and helping to implement this program, Jeremy is at a grass roots level, seeing first-hand how a local government can begin to change the way corporations reach out and...… Continued