Introducing the 2026-27 Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellows

Amal Elhachdani

Open Doors Academy

Amal Elhachdani is a Cleveland native and a recent summa cum laude graduate of Cleveland State University, where she earned bachelor’s degrees in urban studies and philosophy with focuses in public administration and pre-law. During her time at CSU, she served as president of the Campus Activities Board and secretary of the American Planning Association student chapter, helping foster a vibrant and connected campus community. Amal has also worked and volunteered with organizations including the Law and Leadership Institute and True2U, supporting college and career readiness for students across Northeast Ohio. These experiences strengthened her passion for educational advocacy and youth development. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to continue this work through her placement at Open Doors Academy.

Anaya Turner

City of Cleveland

Anaya Turner is a 2026 graduate of Fisk University with a strong interest in public administration and public policy. During her undergraduate career, she was selected to participate in the Harvard Du Bois Scholars Program under the leadership of Dr. Cornell Brooks, where she conducted research on the development of an HBCU think tank. At Fisk, Anaya completed a capstone project examining environmental injustice in Memphis and the role of street-level bureaucrats in shaping policy implementation and community outcomes. Her academic and research experiences have strengthened her commitment to creating equitable and effective public systems. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to serve in the Office of Mayor Justin Bibb, focusing on customer experience and permitting process improvements.

Cal Ransom

City of Cleveland

Cal Ransom is a Delaware native and a recent graduate of Oberlin College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with minors in computer science and journalism. Following graduation, he worked with the Environmental Dashboard, partnering with organizations across Greater Cleveland to advance environmental education and community resilience initiatives. Through this role, he collaborated with community partners including the Great Lakes Science Center and MidTown Cleveland, Inc. on projects focused on sustainability and public engagement. His academic and professional experiences have strengthened his interest in community-centered planning and civic impact. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, he is excited to contribute to the City of Cleveland Planning Commission and support the development of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

Cassidy Feng

Cuyahoga County

Cassidy Feng graduated summa cum laude from Case Western Reserve University with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international studies, along with minors in French and English. During her undergraduate career, she interned with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, IMAGO Immigration Legal Services, and the City of Cleveland, working to reduce barriers to resources for underserved communities across Greater Cleveland. On campus, Cassidy served as vice president of the University Program Board and Executive Board Chair of the Academic Integrity Board, supporting student engagement and promoting university values. These experiences strengthened her commitment to advancing community partnerships and expanding access to opportunity. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to support community engagement and empowerment through her placement with Cuyahoga County’s Department of Regional Collaboration and Treasurer’s Office.

Clara Morgan

Cuyahoga Land Bank

Clara Morgan is a recent graduate of Skidmore College and a native of Solon, Ohio, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies with a minor in political science. During her undergraduate career, she studied abroad in Bhutan, New Zealand, and London, gaining a global perspective on climate and public policy issues. Clara also conducted soil science research, worked with nonprofits focused on ocean sustainability and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and supported environmental policy advocacy efforts. Her experiences have strengthened her commitment to environmental justice and sparked her interest in a career in public interest environmental law. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to support environmental remediation, redevelopment, and nonprofit strategy through her placement with the Cuyahoga Land Bank.

Emily Reyes

Cleveland Tree Coalition

Emily Reyes is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, where she earned a degree in international studies with a minor in Spanish for the professions. During her undergraduate career, she developed a passion for cultural exchange and international affairs while serving as a global peer leader and interning with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. Since graduation, Emily has worked with diverse communities both locally and internationally, including serving as a presidential intern at Al Akhawayn University in Morocco and supporting community engagement efforts at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. These experiences strengthened her commitment to community building, cross-cultural understanding, and public service. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to support the Cleveland Tree Coalition and contribute to a greener, more sustainable Cleveland.

Evan Garcia

City of Cleveland

Evan Garcia is a summa cum laude graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he majored in political science and religious studies. Throughout his undergraduate career, he volunteered with numerous nonprofit organizations, co-chaired the college’s Spring Break Immersion Program, and completed internships with community organizations, congressional offices, and the White House. His academic research explored the intersection of religion, political discourse, and public policy, while his civic engagement focused on advancing equitable community development. Through these experiences, Evan developed a strong interest in addressing issues related to housing, immigration, healthcare, and environmental justice. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, he is excited to support Cleveland’s Home for Every Neighbor initiative and contribute to efforts that address the root causes of homelessness.

Genesis Chalmers

Cuyahoga County

Genesis Chalmers is a recent graduate of Oberlin College and a native of Newark, New Jersey, where she studied politics and law & society on the pre-law track. During her undergraduate career, she demonstrated a strong commitment to public service as a community engagement and educational outreach coordinator for a fair trade organization that partnered with artisan families in Ecuador. Her experiences strengthened her interest in serving communities and pursuing a career in law. Through the Violence Prevention Fellowship with Cuyahoga County, Genesis is gaining experience at the intersection of public service, violence prevention, and the criminal legal system. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to contribute to meaningful community impact while preparing for a career dedicated to public service and the law.

Jack Freer

Cleveland Public Market Corporation

Jack Freer resides in Shaker Heights and works as a fellow with the Cleveland Public Market Corporation (CPMC). A recent graduate of the College of Wooster, he majored in global media and digital studies and minored in urban studies. Last summer, he worked as an operations and marketing intern with City Fresh, a farm box program that serves the greater Cleveland area. His senior thesis focused on the Southeast Side based Community Development Corporation NuPoint, exploring the organization’s legacy as a CDC, paired with the short documentary NuPoint and Community Development on Cleveland's Southeast Side. Jack is passionate about formation of community networks, media’s influence on society, and food justice. His personal pursuits include filmmaking, supporting Cleveland’s music scene, and local history. During his time with CPMC, he will assist in completing fundraising efforts for internal renovation of the Westside Market and creation of an annual fund to ensure future generations will be able to enjoy the market. 

Kerrigan Ponsart

Greater Cleveland Works

Kerrigan Ponsart is a Cleveland native and a summa cum laude graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international studies. Her commitment to community development has included internships with Magis Americas, the Cleveland Foundation Summer Internship Program at the May Dugan Center, and the Cleveland Council on World Affairs, as well as service through the Alaska Fellows Program with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska. Most recently, Kerrigan served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador, supporting youth development initiatives through leadership programs, English-language instruction, and life skills workshops. These experiences strengthened her passion for grassroots development and creating opportunities for communities to thrive. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to join Greater Cleveland Works and help connect individuals to quality careers while supporting local employers in building strong talent pipelines.

Kimberlee Welch

Trust for Public Land

Kimberlee Welch is from Westerville, Ohio and recently received her bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University, where she studied biology, public health, and professional writing. As an undergraduate, her research focused on social justice and diversity in academic spaces. In addition, she founded an award-winning organization for East Asian students, worked as a volunteer leader, writing tutor, and resident assistant, and served on the board of the East Central Writing Center Association. She has interned and volunteered at twelve local Cleveland nonprofits, including Asian Services in Action, the Ohio City Farm, and MotivAsians. She is passionate about sustainability, public health, and building community across cultures. In her free time, Kimberlee enjoys creative writing, global literature, and singing. As a fellow, Kimberlee is excited to work on green space initiatives and advocate for equitable park planning and stewardship.

Manon Reagans

Assembly for the Arts

Manon Reagans is a recent graduate of Oberlin College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics with a minor in dance. During her undergraduate career, she served as Chair of Sisters of the Yam, leading campus programming that celebrated creativity, community, and Black sisterhood. Manon also worked as a research assistant on an NBER-affiliated project and for Oberlin’s Economics Department, deepening her understanding of how public policy shapes economic opportunity and access. Her internship with the City of Cleveland’s Department of Development provided hands-on experience supporting neighborhood investment and commercial corridor revitalization through research, fieldwork, and data analysis. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to support Cleveland’s arts and culture sector through her placement with Assembly for the Arts.

Nafeh Ahsan

Cuyahoga County

Nafeh Ahsan is a recent graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where he earned degrees in political science and psychology. During his undergraduate career, he served as P\president of the Interfraternity Congress and worked as a Democracy Fellow with the Campus Vote Project, experiences that strengthened his commitment to leadership, civic engagement and public service. Originally from Pakistan, Nafeh came to Cleveland for college and quickly became engaged in the community, developing a deep appreciation for the region and its people. His experiences have inspired an interest in housing policy, neighborhood development, and the role of local government in improving quality of life. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, he is excited to support Cuyahoga County’s Department of Development and contribute to projects that strengthen communities across the county.

Sabrina Shaffer

Zygote Press

Sabrina Shaffer is a Chinese American artist and community organizer originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and a recent graduate of Georgetown University, where she studied East Asian Studies and Mandarin Chinese. During her time at Georgetown, she was involved with a grassroots advocacy organization supporting longtime working-class residents of Washington, D.C.’s Chinatown. Following graduation, Sabrina spent nearly a year teaching English in Penghu, Taiwan, gaining valuable experience in cross-cultural education and community engagement. As a photographer and graphic designer, she is passionate about community arts and the role creativity can play in strengthening local connections. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to serve as development and nonprofit operations coordinator at Zygote Press and explore how printmaking can empower and build community.

Stella Goldberg

Starting Point

Stella Goldberg is a recent graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in legal studies with minors in criminal justice and education policy. During her undergraduate career, she worked as a research assistant with the Lab for Family Wellbeing and Justice, contributing to a project evaluating a medical respite shelter program for families experiencing homelessness. Her academic and research experiences strengthened her interest in supporting children and families through community-based services and systems change. A Cleveland native, Stella is passionate about connecting families to the resources and support they need to thrive. As a 2026–2027 Public Service Fellow, she is excited to join Starting Point and contribute to strengthening outcomes for children and families across the region.