ICMA’s Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) program is a career development opportunity designed to place recent MPA/MPP (or related programs) graduates in full-time, paid management track local government positions.

Finalists for the fellowship are selected based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to public service, communication skills, initiative, creativity, and positive attitude. Finalists then interview for 12-month fellowship appointments in local governments across the United States, during which they receive direct mentorship from a senior government leader at the organization, typically an ICMA member. Fellows may extend for a second 12-month fellowship, and many find employment in their host community after the program.

The LGMF program has produced more than 480 alumni since 2004, with more than 70 fellows now serving in CAO and ACAO roles. See where they are now!

Are you interested in becoming a fellow? Applications for the 2027–2028 Local Government Management Fellowship will be open until December 18, 2026. Get more information and apply.

Are you interested in being a host community? Apply to host a fellow or contact careers@icma.org.

This year, there are 40 fellows in the program who have been placed in 27 host communities throughout the United States. Learn more about them below:

Henry Albright
City of Kansas City, Missouri
Henry Albright is from Lebanon, Missouri. He graduated from the University of Missouri and Carnegie Mellon University. In his free time, he likes to read, play French horn, and hike. After his fellowship in Kansas City, he would like to work for a local community completing budget work or long-term city planning.

Abby Aquije
County of Loudoun, Virginia
Abby Aquije was born in New York but has spent most of her life in Northern Virginia. She earned a BA in psychology and an accelerated MPP at the University of Virginia before starting her local government career with Loudoun County's Department of Family Services. Abby is now working as a management fellow and continues to support initiatives that enhance organizational effectiveness and strengthen services for residents. In her free time, Abby enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and exploring new hobbies.

Henry Attivor
County of Sarasota, Florida
Henry Attivor is the 2026–2027 fellow with Sarasota County, Florida. Originally from Ghana, he recently earned an MPA from Old Dominion University. Before joining Sarasota County, he completed internships with the City of Chesapeake and the City of Norfolk, Virginia, and currently supports nutrition and food security programs at the Isabella Health Foundation. Henry is passionate about effective local governance, data-informed decision-making, and sustainable community development. He hopes to build a career helping local governments solve complex community challenges through collaboration and innovation.

Maura Baker
Sun N Lake of Sebring Special Improvement District, Florida
Maura Baker is originally from Brownsburg, Indiana, and currently lives in Sebring, Florida, where she works as the public engagement officer for Sun ’N Lake Special Improvement District. She recently earned her master of public affairs degree from Indiana University and previously served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, bike riding, and drawing. Maura hopes to continue growing her career in local government, with particular interests in community engagement, community and economic development, strategic planning, and budgeting.

Anisti Barrett
City of Wichita, Kansas
Anisti Barrett graduated with her MPA from North Carolina Central University College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities in 2025. She received a BA in sociology with a minor in Hispanic studies from North Carolina Wesleyan University in 2022. She is a member of Pi Alpha Alpha, the global honor society for public affairs and administration. Her research interests include intersectional studies (e.g. race/gender), community development and economic development, and examining how to improve the lives of residents. She is passionate about exploring policies and programs that promote equitable opportunities and improve quality of life, particularly for marginalized communities. She is currently a fellow with the City of Wichita, Kansas. She intends to pursue law school to advance a career in public service that promotes equitable access to opportunity for historically marginalized communities.

Vanessa Bittok
City of Overland Park, Kansas
Born and raised in Iowa, Vanessa graduated from the University of Iowa with a BA in political science and an MPA. Her professional background includes work in state government and local nonprofits. In her free time, she enjoys running and connecting with family and friends. She plans to have a long-term career in public service and hopes to create positive change in her community.

Emilie Boisedu-Poggi
City of Phoenix, Arizona
Emilie is an Arizona native, born and raised in the West Valley. She earned her bachelor of social work degree from Arizona State University, where she completed an internship with the Office of Senator Mark Kelly in Phoenix. Emilie graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a master of social work degree with a specialization in healthcare social work. In her free time, Emilie loves going to the movies, cafe hopping, and attending concerts.

Iyanuoluwa “Simon” Bolarinwa
County of Kalamazoo, Michigan
Iyanuoluwa “Simon” Bolarinwa is from Nigeria and graduated from Indiana University Bloomington. In his free time, he enjoys watching Manchester United play and reading about fascinating history. He plans to continue leading open government research, public finance initiatives, and civic education engagements.

Whit Buchanan 
County of Charlotte, Florida
Whit is from Birmingham, Alabama and is currently serving in his second year as a fellow with Charlotte County, Florida. He received his bachelor's degree in politics and international affairs from Furman University in 2023 and his MPA from the University of Georgia in 2025. Whit has a penchant for public service and aims to build a career in local government administration. Outside of work, Whit is an avid golfer and loves to experiment with food to concoct new recipes.

Madison Bushong
City of McKinney, Texas
Growing up, Madison had the opportunity to live in a variety of states and countries, giving her a unique perspective on what makes a place feel like home. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in public service, earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Brigham Young University and an MPA with a certificate in urban planning from the University of Utah. She hopes to dedicate her career to strengthening communities and helping create places where everyone can thrive. In her free time, Madison enjoys traveling, listening to music, and trying new recipes.

Paulina Campos
City of Mountain View, California
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Paulina holds an MPP from Brandeis University and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Stanford University. She is currently a management fellow with the City of Mountain View, supporting city management and human services projects. Previously, Paulina served as a management analyst with the City of San Mateo, where she managed the citywide volunteer program. Before pursuing a career in local government, she worked in public relations and strategic communications.

Noah Champion
County of Loudoun, Virginia
Noah Champion is a Western North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his MPA. He is currently serving as a management fellow with Loudoun County, Virginia, where he is gaining experience across county government and building on his background in local government finance. Through the fellowship, Noah hopes to broaden his understanding of local government management, grow as a leader, and develop practical skills in areas such as budgeting and performance management. He ultimately aspires to serve as a city or county manager.  

Karrine Coleman
County of Doña Ana, New Mexico
Karrine Coleman is a Delaware native and graduate of the University of Delaware, where she earned both her MPA with a nonprofit and voluntary action certificate and a bachelor’s degree in communication. She previously worked with Delaware City for nearly three years as a community relations specialist, supporting resident engagement, municipal operations, and community development. Karrine is interested in economic development and mobility, affordable housing, and human resources. She hopes to advance social change through a future career in city management.

Ernest Dzomeku
Sun 'N Lake of Sebring Special Improvement District, Florida
Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Ernest Dzomeku is the assistant to the district manager at the Sun ’n Lake of Sebring Improvement District in Florida and LGMF fellow. He earned his MPA from Georgia Southern University, where he cultivated a passion for local government, public leadership, and community engagement while serving in several student leadership roles. In his current position, Ernest works alongside the district manager on strategic initiatives, organizational improvement, financial transparency, communications, and cross-departmental initiatives that enhance district operations and improve services for residents. He is passionate about servant leadership and believes that effective governance begins at the local level. His long-term goal is to serve in national public leadership, helping shape public policy and represent communities at the highest levels of government. Outside of work, he enjoys volunteering, mentoring aspiring public servants, and poetry.

Madeleine Gonzalez
County of Pinellas, Florida
Madeleine Gonzalez is from Miami Beach, Florida. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a master’s degree in public administration and public policy. She is in the first year of her fellowship with Pinellas County and is excited about everything she is learning and will continue to learn. She hopes to one day become a city manager or county administrator.

Matthew Gray 
City of Bellevue, Washington 
Matthew Gray was born and raised in the Puget Sound area of Washington. In his free time, he enjoys watching new shows and spending time with friends. Matthew earned his MPA from Seattle University and his BA from Arizona State University. After completing his fellowship, Matthew plans to pursue a full-time position with the City of Bellevue.

Trevor Hamilton
County of Doña Ana, New Mexico
Originally from Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, Trevor has lived along the northeast and southeast. He is a graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is transitioning from aviation to the public sector. Trevor is passionate about economic mobility, expanding access to transportation, and affordable housing initiatives. In his free time, he enjoys meeting new people, exploring new places, and competing in local trivia nights.

Avery Hudson
Sun 'N Lake of Sebring Special Improvement District, Florida
Avery Hudson is from Carson, California, a city located in Los Angeles County. He graduated with his MPA in 2024 from California State University, Long Beach, with an emphasis in Urban Affairs. In the future, he would like to become involved in urban planning, program management, and/or policy analysis and development. In his spare time, Avery typically hangs out with friends and family, listens to music, and watches sports.

Alex Hinojosa
City of Bakersfield, California
Alex was born and raised in Bakersfield, California. He is a first-generation graduate with both a bachelor’s in philosophy and MPA from California State University, Bakersfield. In his free time, Alex loves rock climbing and spending time with friends, family, and his girlfriend. After graduation, Alex would like to pursue an administrative career in local government or a local nonprofit where he can serve his community and make a positive impact.

Caitlin Johnston
City of Phoenix, Arizona
Caitlin is a Phoenix native who earned her MA in journalism from Emerson College and her BS in journalism from the University of Idaho, where she also competed as a scholar‑athlete in women’s soccer. She currently serves as a management fellow with the City of Phoenix, building on previous experience supporting communications, resident engagement, and policy‑driven initiatives in a council office. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with loved ones including her two cats, cooking, and staying active through workout classes. She plans to continue using her communications and journalism background in public service to create meaningful, resident‑focused impact.

Asad Masood
City of Edina, Minnesota
Born in Roseville, Minnesota, but spending his early childhood in Karachi, Pakistan, with his family, Asad Masood was raised awash in stories of his grandfather’s career as a Pakistani diplomat. Hearing about his work in Thailand and China to his time in the Netherlands and England, Asad’s passion for public service was stoked at a young age. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2021, he returned to his high school alma mater as the auxiliary programs manager for St. Paul Academy and Summit School to develop his practical skills in program management and development, while also beginning his MPA at Hamline University the following year. After completing his fellowship with Edina and ICMA, Asad hopes to apply the skills and experiences he gains in communities all over the country.

Darah Meister
Town of Lexington, Massachusetts 
Darah is from Massachusetts and currently serves as the management fellow for the Town of Lexington. She earned her BSPA in 2017 and MPA in 2025 from Indiana University Bloomington. Before her fellowship position, Darah worked for nonprofits that specialized in land conservation policy, criminal justice and prosecutorial reform, housing policy, higher education, and environmental advocacy. She enjoys reading, cooking with family, and backpacking with her husband and dog in her free time.

Ashkon Mogharei 
City of Hayward, California 
Ashkon Mogharei was born and raised in San Ramon, California. He graduated from American University with a bachelor’s in political science and an MPA. His previous experience at the DC Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency inspired him to pursue a career in local government with future aspirations of becoming a city manager. He also likes to play soccer, hike, and cook new foods in his free time as he tries to keep his life constantly fresh and exciting.

Samsam Mohamud
City of Bellevue, Washington
Samsam Mohamud recently earned her master's degree in human-centered design and engineering from the University of Washington, and also holds a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and human rights. She is passionate about public service and brings innovative, collaborative, and community focused approaches to her work. In recent roles, she has advanced accessibility, equity, and inclusion across public institutions. Her experience includes conducting user-experience research at the Library of Congress; supporting EDI, accessibility, and event coordination at the UW School of Public Health; and supporting digital literacy classes with the Seattle Housing Authority. In 2025, Samsam received the Bonderman Travel Fellowship, exploring belonging and community through tea and informal cultural practices.

Mary Taryn Moran 
Town of Fort Collins, Colorado 
Mary Taryn Moran has been living in Fort Collins, Colorado for the past few years. She graduated from Colorado State University with an undergraduate degree in sociology and criminal justice and is currently pursuing her master's of public policy and administration. Taryn works for the City of Fort Collins as their graduate management assistant. In her free time, she enjoys baking, reading mystery novels, playing pickleball and spike ball, and spending time with her pug.

Mallory Myers
City of Douglasville, Georgia
Mallory Myers was born and raised in Smyrna, Georgia. She currently works as a fellow for the City of Douglasville. She has an MPP with a concentration in social policy from Georgia State University, where she also worked as a graduate research assistant. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in political science, with minors in sociology and Spanish. She has a passion for public service, and her personal mission is to foster better relationships between governments and constituents by enhancing the lives of marginalized and disinvested communities. Eventually, she would love to be the director of governmental affairs at a nonprofit or research center. When she is not working, Mallory can be found reading, trying new coffee shops, or spending time with her partner and her dogs.

Jaritza “Jari” Nunez 
City of Bakersfield, California 
Jaritza “Jari” Nunez was raised in the small town of Lamont, California, and recently returned to the Central Valley after completing her graduate studies at Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Jari is a second-year LGMF fellow with the City of Bakersfield, where she supports efforts to strengthen community partnerships and inform policy solutions. In her free time, Jari enjoys exploring local coffee shops with friends and family, reading non-fiction novels, taking her dogs on walks, and reconnecting with the community that raised her. She hopes to continue building equity-centered initiatives in the region and eventually take on a permanent leadership role in public service.

Seng Nu Pan
Borough of State College, Pennsylvania
Seng Nu Pan, originally from Myanmar, currently works at the Borough of State College, Pennsylvania, as a fellow. She recently graduated with an MPA from the University of Oregon and brings nearly 10 years of experience in humanitarian and development work with international NGOs and UN agencies, focusing on community engagement, government coordination, and advocacy. In her free time, she enjoys exploring new places, hiking, photography, and cooking. Her long-term goal is to advance climate and sustainability policy for vulnerable communities through international environmental governance.

Jill Parsons
City of Franklin, Tennessee
Jill Parsons is from Overland Park, Kansas, and earned her bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in Spanish from the University of Kansas, where she is also pursuing an MPA. As a fellow with the City of Franklin, Jill is excited to gain hands-on experience in local government. In her free time, she enjoys playing pickleball, reading, and cycling.

Kallysia Raymond
County of Pinellas, Florida
Kallysia Raymond is originally from New Milford, Connecticut, and earned her MPA and BA in political science from the University of Connecticut. She currently serves as a fellow with Pinellas County, where she rotates across departments and works on projects related to organizational efficiency, policy, budgeting, and community development. Outside of work, Kallysia enjoys running while catching up on her favorite podcasts, practicing hot yoga, and exploring the Tampa Bay area with her partner and their black lab. She hopes to build a career in local government focused on strategic planning, economic and community development, and creating more resilient and equitable communities.

Emma Roniger
City of Wichita, Kansas
Emma is a born and raised Kansan who received her bachelor's in political science with minors in management and honors law and public policy from Wichita State University. She is currently pursuing her MPA at the University of Kansas as a city/county management fellow. She has interests in urban planning, economic development, and emergency management. She hopes to pursue a career in government once finished with her MPA to help build beautiful and prosperous communities. In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, and being with her friends and family.

Alex Saldana
City of Phoenix, Arizona
Alex Saldana is from San Luis, Arizona, and graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s in business administration. He enjoys staying active through sports, especially soccer, and working out. He is currently building his career in local government, where he has found meaningful opportunities to grow and serve his community. In the future, he hopes to continue advancing, ideally into a director-level role.

Jody Schum
Sun 'N Lake of Sebring Special Improvement District, Florida
Jody is the public information officer for the Sun 'n Lake Improvement District in Sebring, Florida. After a successful career as a freelance pianist and music director in New York City, he transitioned into local government with a passion for fostering meaningful community engagement and strengthening public trust. He returned to school to earn an MPA from Binghamton University, where he received the Alpha Award, the university's highest student honor. As a fellow and communications lead for his organization, Jody looks forward to gaining experience across all facets of municipal operations as he prepares for a career in city or county management.

Matthew Spencer
City of Hallandale Beach, Florida
Matthew Spencer is from Greensboro, North Carolina, and had the fortunate opportunity to graduate from Indiana University Bloomington. In his free time, he is either playing with his dogs or out fishing his nearest lakes, streams, and coasts. In the future, he wants to continue helping local governments meet the housing needs of their residents.

Adrienne Stacy
City of Kansas City, Missouri
Adrienne Stacy graduated from George Washington University with her MPA. Originally from southeastern Virginia, Adrienne enjoys local government because that’s where she can see the impact of her work. In her free time she enjoys walking, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her cat. She looks forward to working on housing and grant programs in the future.

Berlinder Wobriba-Prah
County of Sedgwick, Kansas
Berlinder Wobriba-Prah is originally from Ghana, and recently completed her MPA at Wichita State University. She is interested in public policies that improve the well-being and quality of life of communities. As a management fellow with Sedgwick County, she looks forward to gaining valuable experience in local government. She hopes to pursue a career in academia and enjoys cooking in her free time. 

Nicole Wasomi
County of Sedgwick, Kansas
Nicole Wasomi was born in Nairobi, Kenya. She is a recent MPA graduate from Wichita State University. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science with a concentration in international and comparative politics. Most of her previous work experience comes from the nonprofit sector, including three years with the International Rescue Committee. She has also worked as a graduate research assistant for the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs. Nicole pursued the county internship because she wanted to observe the inner workings of government, and she is enjoying the experience so far. In her free time, she enjoys reading, singing, and taking afternoon walks.

Rory Wilson
County of Clark, Nevada
As an Arizona State University alumna, Rory earned her MPA with a concentration in urban management in 2026, along with dual bachelor’s degrees in public service/public policy and sociology in 2024. Her experience spans cities, intergovernmental organizations, nonprofits, and community boards. Whether through community engagement initiatives, local government research, or cross-departmental collaboration, Rory enjoys finding ways to help connect people, ideas, and public service. Outside of work, you can find Rory at a local library, a coffee shop, or adventuring around Nevada.

Jessie Yuan 
City of Durham, North Carolina 
Jessie Yuan is from Jacksonville, Florida. She received a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of Florida and master's degrees in public administration and social work from Florida State University. Jessie hopes to use her knowledge and experiences to create positive change in the world. In her free time, Jessie likes to hang out with her cats and enjoy nature.

Not pictured:

• Jo Janiski, County of Doña Ana, New Mexico