The National Academy of Public Administration announced that 42 leaders in the field of public administration have been elected to the 2025 Class of Academy Fellows. 

Congratulations to these ICMA members who were selected for this year’s class of Fellows:

Joshua Franzel, senior executive and director, research and data analysis, National League of Cities

Matt Hart, executive director, Capitol Region Council of Governments

Julia D. Novak, chief executive officer/executive director, ICMA

Sue Schwartz, president, American Planning Association and planning director, Greensboro, North Carolina

“It is an incredibly important time to be a public servant, and more critical than ever they lead by example, follow their oath of office, and ensure we have a strong representative government that serves the people,” said James-Christian Blockwood, president & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. “The newly elected Academy Fellows joining as part of the 2025 Class have already had hugely impactful careers and will contribute to our ongoing mission to help achieve a more effective, efficient, accountable, and transparent government.”

Induction of the new Fellows will occur during the Academy’s 2025 National Conference, which will take place November 2-4 in Washington, D.C. Fellows will attend a formal ceremony, and the conference will feature prominent Academy Fellows and other experts speaking on key national issues. 

Selection of the academy’s new Fellows follows a rigorous review of the individual’s contributions to the fields of public administration and policy. A Nominating Committee, selected by the academy’s board chair, makes its recommendations to the full fellowship, which then votes on those individuals nominated to be a Fellow. The individual must have a requisite number of votes before being elected. 

The 2025 Class joins more than 1,000 Academy Fellows, including former cabinet officers, members of Congress, governors, mayors and state legislators, as well as prominent scholars, business executives, nonprofit leaders, and public administrators.

Through its Fellows, staff, and partners, the academy has played a major role in advancing the field of public administration and supporting government at the local, state, and federal levels.