Lucinda graduated with a degree in Sustainability and Urban Studies from McGill, and loves sustainable mobility. Growing up riding the 23 and later the BSL (B) to school, she became fascinated with public transit. She serves on the SEPTA Youth Advisory Committee, where she helps to produce the Keeping Up with SEPTA podcast. Lucinda fell in love with biking in Montreal and co-created a program to help other students build confidence with urban biking; she later became the Bike Engagement Intern for her school. She’s super excited to join the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems as the Vision Zero fellow to help promote traffic safety in Philly!

Tahis is the City College of Municipal Employment (CCME) Workforce Fellow with the Philadelphia Public Service Fellowship. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations from Rutgers University and a Master of Science in Digital Marketing Analytics from Montclair State University. Tahis is passionate about expanding access to education and career opportunities, strengthening community partnerships, and using data-driven communication to create meaningful impact in underserved communities.

Her background includes experience in digital marketing analytics, communications, social media strategy, and student leadership, where she has collaborated with community organizations and led initiatives focused on engagement and outreach. Originally from New Jersey, Tahis is excited to support workforce development efforts that connect Philadelphia residents with meaningful career opportunities. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with her dog, and making memories with her family and friends.

Sierra Barnes is an aspiring public health professional from Detroit, Michigan, who earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Health from the University of Pittsburgh. Her lived experiences and studies have led her to focus on the lasting effects of policies that shape where and how people live. Through her academic, professional, and volunteer experiences, Sierra has explored how barriers to stable housing and economic security can affect health, education, and opportunity. She is particularly interested in policies that address the root causes of these disparities rather than placing the responsibility solely on individuals.

This year, Sierra will serve as a Housing Insecurity and Poverty Policy Fellow, where she hopes to deepen her understanding of housing policy and contribute to practical solutions that make stability more attainable for Philadelphians and their families.

Johannes is a graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. His work experience includes Early Childhood Education, Non-Profit Operations Management, Camp Counseling, and an internship with the Philadelphia City Council and it excited to serve as the Infant and Toddler Homelessness Resource Fellow. He is passionate about community engagement and implementing quality-of-life improvements for all Philadelphians. In his spare time, Johannes enjoys playing guitar, fitness, and walking his dog, Brahms.

Maya Hairston is a recent graduate of NYU Wagner, where she studied policy analysis. With a professional background in education, Maya is passionate about public service and ensuring that all children have access to a quality education. Throughout her academic career, she conducted research focused on equity and access for marginalized populations. Originally from Pennsylvania, Maya is excited to serve as the Data and Performance Management Fellow in the Mayor’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

Alex Kolodney is a May 2024 graduate of Sarah Lawrence College with a Bachelor of Arts in LGBT Studies. Their interests include community engagement, research, and public education. Their previous work has included presenting research on engaging and supporting nonbinary high school students to the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages national conference with Dr. Julia Spiegelman.

Alex is originally from the Boston area, and has been living in Philadelphia for two years. Alex is excited to serve as the City Digital Navigator Program Fellow while they prepare to pursue a Master’s degree in Library Sciences, with a focus on archives. In their free time, Alex enjoys crafting with friends, playing board games, and performing in drag.

Cuong Nguyen is a University of Pennsylvania graduate who studied Philosophy, Politics & Economics and Cognitive Science and is now pursuing an M.S.Ed. in Education Policy at Penn. Originally from Tây Ninh, Vietnam, he has built his work around education, public service, student support, and making complicated ideas and systems a little easier for people to navigate. His experiences span admissions, higher education, student leadership, digital communications, and community engagement, including work with Penn Dental Medicine and the Global Water Alliance.

Outside of work and school, Cuong loves singing, performing a cappella, exploring new places, and having conversations that somehow turn into hour-long yap sessions. He is especially passionate about educational access, immigration, law, and creating spaces where people feel they can fully participate and be themselves. This year, he is thrilled to join the community as a City Digital Navigator and is looking forward to meeting, learning from, and probably laughing with everyone along the way.

Seneca is a senior Criminal Justice major at Temple University and proudly serves as the Food Service Engagement Fellow. As someone from West Philadelphia, she is passionate about education, community engagement, and creating opportunities for young people to thrive. Through her service with Jumpstart AmeriCorps and DREAM, she worked closely with children and families while developing strong leadership, communication, and program coordination skills. Seneca is committed to advancing equity through public service and making a meaningful impact in my community. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, spending time with family and friends, and finding new ways to give back to the communities that have shaped her.

Libby Sheldon will be the 2026-27 Welcoming Network Fellow. Libby grew up in Central New York, where she pursued a B.A. in International Studies and B.M. in Performance from SUNY Potsdam. This education matured her perspective on migration, in the scope of both power dynamics and systemic forces.

Born in China from the One-Child policy, she recognizes the vastly different circumstances people migrate under, and that no move ever comes without hardship. Libby is committed to understanding the challenges immigrant communities face in Philadelphia, and how best to address them. Additionally, she is a piano instructor with the Meridee Winters School of Music, and an active volunteer with HIAS PA.

Isaiah Thompson recently moved to Philadelphia from Bear, Delaware, in 2024. He graduated from the University of Delaware in 2017 with a master’s degree in sociology. He also received two bachelor’s degrees from the same university, one in Human Services and the other in Women’s and Gender Studies in 2015. He is currently enrolled in an asynchronous online program at the University of Colorado Anschutz, where he is getting his second master’s degree in public administration. He has worked in the private sector within the field of revenue cycle management and health insurance for the past 8 years, and his last position was in Corporate Education.

He is now making a career shift to the public sector, where he hopes to work in program coordination and implementation in fields of LGBTQ+ equity, racial justice, housing, education, and healthcare. Isaiah loves the city and enjoys everything it has to offer. He also really enjoys exercise and eating at restaurants. He will be joining this cohort as a Health and Human Services (HHS) Healthcare Access Fellow.

Takoda Wells is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice while competing on the Women’s Rowing team as a student athlete. As an undergrad, she was a two-time Commitment to DEI award-winner and a co-recipient of the 2026 Hawk Legacy Award.

She spends her time journaling, logging films on Letterboxd, and coaching field hockey and lacrosse at Germantown Friends School. Takoda is from Montgomery County. After serving as the Food Security Initiatives Fellow this year, she plans to attend law school next fall to pursue a career in public interest law.

Bella grew up in Nashville, TN and graduated from Wesleyan University with BAs in science and technology studies and environmental studies in 2024. After moving to Philly, she worked at Achieve Now, a Philadelphia-based literacy nonprofit, for two years. Bella is excited to bring her background in facilitating phonics instruction, supporting volunteers, and developing community-based programming to the Philly Reading Coaches Program as the Volunteer Coordination Fellow this year.

Nasif Khan is a recent graduate of Temple University, where he earned his Bachelors in Political Science. He will be serving as a Consumer Protection Engagement Fellow this year, contributing to research on issues in Consumer Protection trends and crafting educational materials for community members, city departments, and partner organizations.

His experience working in community outreach and advocacy through Asian Pacific Islander Political Alliance, where he engaged community members and local residents on the proposed Sixers Stadium, language access, and racial discrimination. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Nasif is looking forward to serve and contribute to the same communities that have helped shape him.

Daniela is a recent graduate of Saint Joseph’s University, where she earned a B.A. in International Relations. Her experiences studying abroad in Australia and Italy and supporting asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border have shaped her commitment to building more connected and inclusive communities.

Inspired by her Ecuadorian-Venezuelan roots, Daniela has focused her early career on expanding access and support for communities through humanitarian aid, advocacy, campaigns, and education. As a Career Pathways Fellow, she is excited to bring these experiences to Philadelphia and contribute to expanding opportunities for its residents.

Julia Byrnes was born and raised in Philadelphia, where growing up in the city created a passion for cities and working for the people who call them home. She studied Geography at Penn State, focusing on human geography and the question: Why are people, places, and things where they are?

During college, Julia volunteered for THON, a student-run organization that raises money for childhood cancer; participating in the organization’s 46-hour dance marathon. She also loves to read, watch movies, play the piano, and throw pottery in her free time. This fall, Julia is excited to serve as the Community Engagement & Neighborhood Data Collection Fellow for the Targeted Storefront Improvement Program.

Seamus is a Philadelphia-born and raised Cartographer who graduated from Masterman High School and Temple University in 2016 and 2020, respectively. He has worked for the U.S. Census Bureau as a GIS Specialist since 2023.

Seamus has also worked in many restaurants and food establishments across the Philadelphia area. These include small diners and food trucks to high-volume chains such as Iron Hill Brewery and Barcelona Wine Bar. He continues to do so to earn extra income and stay socially active in the service and bartending world. Seamus joins as Riverfront North Partnership Fellow and is excited to begin work, specifically on the city parks which he grew up with.

Nene Ibezim is an education and development professional passionate about using research, data, and community engagement to make public systems more inclusive and accessible. She holds a Master of Science in Education in International Education Development from the University of Pennsylvania, and worked across Nigeria, India, Malawi, and the United States on education, research, program evaluation, and community development initiatives. Her experiences working with diverse communities have deepened her interest in understanding how language, culture, and access shape people’s ability to engage with institutions and receive the services they need.

As a Philadelphia Public Service Fellow, Nene will serve as the Language Access Development Fellow with the Office of Immigrant Affairs, supporting efforts to use data, research, and community insights to strengthen language access resources for Philadelphia’s diverse communities.

As a West Philadelphia native, Angel has always aspired to contextualize the experiences of local residents by using sociological frameworks and data analysis. This led her to receive her bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Urban Studies from Boston University and her master’s degree in Urban Spatial Analytics from the University of Pennsylvania.

During her time at Penn, she has interacted with local community organizations, learning the significance of small businesses and commercial corridors in high-poverty communities. As a Small Business Data and Engagement Fellow, she hopes to use her understanding of design, community engagement, and data analysis to bring strategic improvements to current programs dedicated to helping small businesses.

Messiah A.A. Touré is a Philadelphia-based strategic planner, community organizer, and founder of SIMCo., a strategic planning collective of social impact leaders helping organizers build the impact that matters. His work sits at the intersection of organizational infrastructure, community power, narrative justice, and sustainable impact, with a particular focus on helping mission-driven organizations build the systems and strategies required to grow without losing connection to the communities they serve.

Messiah brings experience across youth literacy, poetry, community programming, and social impact work in Philadelphia, alongside a commitment to making strategic planning more accessible to grassroots and community-rooted institutions. He is passionate about literacy, storytelling, community development, and creating spaces where young people and intergenerational communities can see themselves as authors of their own futures. As a Community Schools Initiative Fellow with the Philadelphia Public Service fellowship, Messiah’s goals are to deepen his practice, learn alongside other emerging city leaders, and continue building SIMCo. as a vehicle for stronger, more community-rooted organizations.

Zaya will be working as a Community Schools Initiatives Fellow, which will allow her to meld direct community engagement with data analysis – an approach she feels is integral to the success of social support services.

In her position at Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, Zaya worked 1-on-1 with clients to guide them through the pardon process, while creating a study to better understand what attributes can create a successful pardon application. This position inspired her to continually question the efficacy of current systems and dream up new possibilities. While attending Drexel University, Zaya worked as a research assistant on the Energy Rights Project run by Professor Ali Kenner. This project helped understand utility access vulnerabilities across Philadelphia through first-hand community member accounts and data analysis.

As she continues in her career, Zaya hopes to support pathways for communities to meaningfully address systemic challenges through resource allocation, strong relationships, and collective empowerment.