Launched in 2016, the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship immerses talented, emerging leaders from across the country in the work of Cleveland’s public sector, providing them an opportunity to develop their skills, enhance their networks, and jumpstart a career in public service. With the goals of attracting and retaining emerging talent in Cleveland and fostering a commitment to public service, partnerships with local organizations have aligned with national recruitment efforts to build a ninth cohort of 17 fellows. The Public Service Fellows started their year on Aug. 1, 2024.
We are pleased to announce the 2024-25 Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellows:
Ailady Saucedo is a recent graduate of Case Western Reserve University and majored in English and sociology. As an undergraduate, she focused on social justice advocacy that included incarceration issues, increasing voting initiatives, public education and housing. She is originally from San Antonio, and has been matched to Cuyahoga County Regional Collaboration, where she has been working with boards & commissions, relationships with public officials, and promoting collaboration with municipalities.
Alexander Sojourney (he/him) graduated from Arizona State University in May 2020 with a B.A. in political science and a minor in justice studies. In 2021, he was awarded a Marshall Scholarship, allowing him to earn a master’s degree in politics, development, and the global south from Goldsmiths, University of London. He then obtained a second master’s degree in comparative social policy from the University of Oxford. Alexander is deeply passionate about advocating for fair housing in Black and Brown communities and creating policy-based solutions to address systemic barriers. As a fellow in the mayor’s office, he contributes to revitalization efforts on the Southeast side.
Alexander Wadley is from Cleveland originally, recently returning after working at 13 Action News in Toledo, Ohio. Here as a public service fellow, he is working with the Cleveland Foundation as a multimedia production fellow. Alexander is passionate about community and storytelling, and in his off time likes to attend community events or visit the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Alicia Howell grew up in Parma, Ohio and graduated from Kent State University. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in public health, concentrating on community health development and outreach. She is passionate about public service, which is why she decided to pursue a master’s in public health with a focus on health policy and management. She is placed at City Hall in the Mayor’s Office of Capital Projects, which has allowed her to assist in developing long-term initiatives that change the context in which people interact with their everyday environment.
Ava Carubia is originally from Atlanta, and recently graduated from Oberlin College, where she studied history and environmental studies. She is particularly interested in local history and its impact on the social and built environments of cities. As a fellow, Ava will be assisting Union Miles Development Corporation with neighborhood sustainability initiatives. She is excited to live in Cleveland for the first time and is looking forward to learning from community members on the Southeast side.
Brooke Meznarich is a December 2023 Summa Cum Laude undergraduate of Cleveland State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts majoring in environmental studies, and a minor in environmental science. During her time at CSU, she interned in the University’s Sustainability Department. She was also president of the Student Environmental Movement (SEM). Some of her interests include renewable energy and brownfield remediation/redevelopment. As a fellow, Brooke is excited to be working with Cuyahoga County’s first ever Chief of Sustainability. She will assist Cuyahoga County’s Sustainability Department with projects as well as with internal and external sustainability initiatives for the year.
Camilla Rivas is from Greensboro, North Carolina and is placed at the Strategic Initiatives section within Cleveland City Planning. She recently graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with bachelor’s degrees in political science and history. She is interested in using data mapping tools to advocate for equitable solutions to issues within the city. In her free time, Camilla likes to read, hike, and attend community events with friends.
Emily Saxton is a 2021 graduate of Michigan State University, where she got her Bachelor of Psychology, and a 2024 graduate of Case Western Reserve University, where she got her Master of Social Work. Emily has completed research and work experiences in public health, antiracism, age-friendly communities, and sexual violence prevention, and during graduate school, she lived in a multicultural cooperative house with 16 other graduate students. Together, these experiences further made her want to pursue a career in shaping a more just and equitable world. Even though she is a native of St. Louis, Emily has come to love Cleveland and is passionate about the growth and revitalization the city is undergoing. Consequently, she is excited to be starting her career in the city by serving in the fellowship this year at Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation.
Isabelle Kolleth graduated in 2024 from Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa, with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and a concentration in environmental studies. During this time, she was heavily involved in low-income student advocacy, environmental programs, and badminton club. She is originally from Akron, Ohio, and is excited to be back home for the year. For her placement, she is working with The Greater Cleveland Partnership as a program manager of sustainability initiatives. She looks forward to helping improve Cleveland and contribute to important sustainability work!
Katura Pleasant graduated magna cum laude from Cleveland State University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and international relations. Additionally, she is an MPA candidate at CSU’s Levin School of Urban Affairs expecting to graduate in May 2025. She used her gap year to serve in AmeriCorps as a reading tutor in an elementary school which jumpstarted her commitment to education equality and public service. She is placed at Cuyahoga County where one day a week she provides support to the Old Brooklyn Welcome Center to help refugees, asylees, and immigrants from various countries signup for public assistance and guide them to supportive services in the great Cleveland Area.
Lane Mikkelsen, born and raised in Oregon, graduated from Willamette University in 2024 with a degree in economics. During university, she worked as a sexual assault advocate, assistant to the Economics Department, and as a land steward at her favorite nature preserve in her hometown of Eugene. Lane moved to Cleveland to learn about community development, and as a fellow, she will be working at Jefferson-Puritas West Park CDC. She is excited to help the CDC enhance its community outreach, develop a marketing strategy, and prioritize the needs of the neighborhoods that it serves.
Luis Rivas is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s in psychology and a minor in marketing. Currently, He is serving as a Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellow at Metro West Community Development Organization, where he contributes to community development and art initiatives. Previously, as a College Success Advisor at Esperanza, Inc., he developed and implemented programs aimed at boosting student retention and facilitating successful transitions to college life. He hopes to continue to make an impact on his community and continue to learn and refine the skills to make my community more empowered and a better place.
Morgan Ashley (she/her) is a dedicated social worker originally from Columbus, Ohio. After moving to Cleveland for school, she fell in love with the area and its vibrant community. With a Master’s of Social Work from Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, Morgan is passionate about policy and systems change, focusing on advancing LGBTQIA+ rights and protections, racial equity, and legal system reform. Currently placed at Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services, Morgan is engaged in impactful research to improve community outcomes and advocate for marginalized populations.
Morgan Lewis is a Cleveland native and a graduate of Heights High. She currently serves as the community health needs coordinator for Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc. As a fellow, Morgan aims to make a meaningful impact in the community where she spent her childhood. In 2023, she earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities from Ursuline College. In her free time, she enjoys supporting local businesses, reading, and engaging in advocacy work.
Rebekah Utian is a Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellow at Tremont West Development Corporation (TWDC), where she focuses on marketing, public art, and cultural programming. She is also working to develop TWDC’s annual fundraising events and is gaining experience in economic and real estate development. Rebekah holds a Master’s in art history, a graduate certificate in public humanities from Case Western Reserve University, and a Bachelor’s in Art History, Studio Art, and Italian from Kenyon College. She has been recognized with the Keithley Fellowship and the Eva L. Pancoast Memorial Fellowship. Through her work in the arts, she aims to make the humanities more accessible and community-oriented.
Sally Wooster recently graduated from Willamette University, where she completed a bachelor’s degree in economics and a minor in data science. During her time in college, Sally participated in advocacy work and interned at HUD. As a fellow, Sally will work with the Famicos Foundation’s Real Estate Department. In her role, she will support processes for rehabilitating single-family homes in the Glenville and Hough neighborhoods and investigate new funding sources for Famicos’ projects.
Sophie Gilson is a 2022 graduate of Denison University, summa cum laude, where she completed bachelor’s degrees in political science and economics and was awarded the Presidential Medal for academic achievement and community leadership. Originally from Cleveland Heights, she is excited to return home to Cleveland following work as an investment analyst at Gallatin Point Capital in Greenwich, CT. As a fellow, Sophie joins the City of Cleveland Finance Department, where she will support advancement of the City’s strategic initiatives.
Learn more about the Cleveland Foundation Public Service Fellowship.
