The Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) is a career development opportunity designed to attract recent MPA/MPP (or related programs) graduates to be placed in full-time, management track local government positions. Finalists are selected based on academic performance, demonstrated leadership potential, commitment to public service, communication skills, initiative, creativity, and positive attitude. They then interview for 12-month fellowship appointments at local governments across the country, during which they receive direct mentorship from a senior government leader at the organization. (Appointments may be extended beyond the one-year term). This year, 22 fellows were selected and placed throughout the United States.

 

D'Angelo Baker| Tacoma, Washington 

D’Angelo is originally from Auburn, Alabama, and graduated from Auburn University with an MPA. He now works as a fellow for Tacoma, Washington. D’Angelo is drawn to many areas of public service and hopes that this experience will help him decide what area he is most passionate about. He hopes to have a fulfilling career in local government.

 

Jazmine Christen| Bellevue, Washington 

Jazmine graduated with a bachelor’s degree in ethnic, gender, and labor studies from the University of Washington and her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga. She is interested in and passionate about social justice, DEIB, environmental justice, and animal liberation, so she wants to figure out how to tie her values and passions into work in local government leadership. Jazmine enjoys spending time with her partner and their three cats, trying new vegan recipes, and learning to be more environmentally sustainable in her free time.

 

Kat Consador  | Phoenix, Arizona 

Kat graduated with a master’s degree in global management from Arizona State University and is now a fellow with Phoenix. She aims to work in areas that interest her and add value to diverse departments while expanding her network by connecting with as many people as possible. Kat volunteers for PCFR to foster positive international relations. Her future goal is to hold leadership positions in government and contribute to international relations or community and economic development. She loves ballroom dancing and rock climbing.

 

Johnathan Gates| Phoenix, Arizona 

Johnathan is from Wichita, Kansas, and moved to Phoenix to attend Arizona State University. He has a bachelor's degree in urban planning and political science from ASU and completed a master of urban and environmental planning. Johnathan accepted a fellowship with Phoenix to understand local government better, hoping to learn where he would best fit as a public servant. He plans to work in or with the public sector to serve communities as a planning and transit advocate or policy advisor. Johnathan enjoys hiking and attending music festivals.

 

Amanda-Marie Goode  | State College, Pennsylvania 

Amanda-Marie was born and raised in Connecticut. She received her bachelor's degree in sociology from Eastern Connecticut State University and her master's in public policy from the University of Connecticut. She hopes to gain experience and knowledge about town planning through her fellowship. She plans to work in local government for the foreseeable future and hopes to become a town planner. She enjoys reading science fiction and horror novels, swimming, playing RPGs, video and board games, and listening to podcasts in her free time.

Sara Kasel | River Falls, Wisconsin 

Sara grew up in southern Minnesota. She received her bachelor's in political science and peace studies from Gustavus Adolphus College and a master's in public policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Through this fellowship, she hopes to gain a comprehensive understanding of what goes into the everyday operations of a city, as well as several management and leadership skills. Sara lives in Minneapolis with her two cats and enjoys being outdoors and baking. She plans to have a career in local government and move out west soon.

 

Lacey Lingelbach | Largo, Florida 

Lacey is from Hobe Sound, Florida. She received her bachelor's in environmental science from the University of Florida and a master's in public affairs from Indiana University. Lacey hopes to learn more about the budget process and how it influences the city's efficiency. She is also excited to be a part of the process and work with departments to meet their needs and ensure they align with the community's priorities. In her free time, she likes to hike and cook.

 

Melissa Mata  | Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

Melissa was born and raised in San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora in Mexico. After high school, she lived in Tucson, Arizona, for nine years, where she completed her MPA at the University of Arizona. Coming from a small border town, she hopes to learn the insights of city departments from a big city and understand the different strategies implemented based on population, economic growth, and services provided. She hopes to build a career in economic development to improve and build economic prosperity in communities. Melissa enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her community.

 

Danya Morman  | Eau Claire, Wisconsin 

Danya is from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, a city of about 70,000 people, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a degree in mathematics and political science. Danya hopes to work in data analysis, specifically in government.

 

Elijah Ishmel Pipersburg   | Wichita, Kansas 

Originally from the Golden State, Elijah has dedicated his professional life to public service. Upon graduating from the University of California, Elijah interned in Washington, D.C., before enrolling in a dual-degree MPA/JD program at Southern University in Louisiana. He hopes to gain a greater sense of the impact he can have at the local level of government. Elijah plans to start a law firm with a focus on municipal, employment, and environmental law. In his free time, Elijah volunteers as a life coach for young and at-risk adolescent males to alter young men’s emotional and mental problems.

 

Michael Randle  | Dakota County, Minnesota 

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Michael is a recent MPP graduate of the Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. This fellowship experience will help him further develop the skill sets needed to be a well-rounded administrator. Michael’s career goal is to become a city/county Manager. He enjoys listening to music when he has free time.

Salma Rashid  | Durham, North Carolina 

Originally from Woodbridge, Virginia, Salma earned her bachelor's degree from the College of William and Mary and her MPA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. One thing she hopes to learn from this fellowship is the type of organization where she would like to work in the future. Salma plans to continue working in local government and find ways to encourage international cooperation and learning across cities. In her free time, she likes to read, try new foods, and hike.

 

Mack Schroeder   | Needham, Massachusetts 

Mack is originally from South Florida and is looking forward to the clam chowder in Boston. A recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a dual master of social work and master of public policy, Mack looks forward to deepening his understanding of the budgeting process and how it shapes a government's capacity to accomplish its goals. He will be supporting Needham's efforts to enhance its employee benefits offerings. Mack enjoys doing improv comedy, reading with a cup of coffee, playing board games, and trying different NYT Cooking recipes.

 

Claire Tramontozzi  | Loudoun County, Virginia 

Originally from San Francisco, California, Claire earned her bachelor’s degree in political economy from UC Berkeley and her MPA from Tulane University. She comes to local government from teaching, so she is still determining her plans after the fellowship, but she hopes to learn and serve communities for years to come. In her free time, she likes to get outdoors by running, hiking, and walking her dog.

 

Brian Ulbircht   | Pinellas County, Florida 

Brian is originally from Oregon. He served nine years in the United States Army. After military service, he graduated from the University of Georgia with an MPA. Through this fellowship, he hopes to continue learning about local government, focusing now on county government. Additionally, he hopes to gain more experience in local government and network in Florida. He plans to secure a full-time position with Pinellas County post-fellowship. Brian enjoys hiking, fishing, and watching sports in his free time.

 

Gaonou Vang  | Dakota County, Minnesota 

Gaonou Vang is pursuing an MPA at Hamline University and hopes to complete her program by the end of this year. Through this fellowship, she hopes to become an even more competent and effective public servant who enables others to live their lives with dignity. In her free time, she likes to hang out with friends, explore foods from other cultures, and watch horror movies. In the next five years, Gaonou hopes to become proficient at gardening and become self-sustainable!

 

Ruairi Vaughan  | Albemarle County, Virginia 

Originally from Scotland, Ruairi moved to the United States in 2018. He received a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Saint Andrews and master of public affairs from the University of Texas's LBJ School of Public Affairs. Through this fellowship, Ruairi hopes to gain local government that he can use to demonstrate expertise to future employers. He plans to use his background in journalism, the knowledge he gained from his degree, and the practical experience of the LGMF program to kick start a career in public administration, ideally ending up in New England. Ruairi and his wife have a toddler, so much of their free time revolves around her. They are avid readers who love walking and cycling. 

 

Jessica Whitley   | State College, Pennsylvania 

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Jessica has a background in fine arts and enjoys sculpture, painting, and pottery. She hopes to understand multiple stakeholder engagement within a community setting and would like to learn more about local government processes and expectations of community leaders. Jessica would like to move into program design and implementation for youth advocacy or public arts. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, travel, and visit new places.

 

 

Fellows Not Pictured:
 

Elizabeth Ewers | Sedgwick County, Kansas

Julie (Heeyun) Kim | Bellevue, Washington 

Lynne Ogubere | Wichita, Kansas 

 

Are you interested in being a fellow? Applications for the 2024-2025 Local Government Management Fellowship are open! Get more information and apply. 

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