For more than two decades, the ICMA Local Government Management Fellowship (LGMF) Program has served as a vital bridge between academic preparation and professional practice. Designed to address both workforce gaps and leadership development, the program continues to prove its value—not only to emerging professionals but also to the communities they serve.

In a recent ICMA Member Spotlight conversation, the LGMF program lead and several participants reflected on how the fellowship is transforming careers and organizations alike.

A Program Built for the Profession’s Future

“The LGMF program was created as a way to provide recent MPA and MPP graduates with crucial early career experience,” explained David Lang, senior program manager for career advancement at ICMA.

The fellowship’s inception in 2004 was in response to a looming challenge: a wave of retirements paired with a shortage of experienced candidates ready to step into leadership roles. At the same time, many highly qualified graduates struggled to land their first professional opportunity.

“The fellowship is essentially a win-win for all those involved,” Lang reflected. “Recent graduates find meaningful full-time employment, and host communities fill critical staffing gaps with highly qualified individuals.”

Now more than 20 years in, the LGMF program has produced more than 450 alumni, many of whom return as hosts, contributing to what Lang describes as a “self-sustained ecosystem” of mentorship and professional growth.

A Leadership Perspective on Hosting Fellows

For Scott Andrews, CEO and county manager of Doña Ana County, New Mexico, the value of the program is clear. “I believe that the LGMF program is a natural win-win scenario. It provides growth opportunities to both the fellows as well as the organizations that inherit these growing leaders.”

Andrews has hosted fellows for more than a decade across multiple organizations, consistently bringing the program with him as he advances in his own career. He credits fellows with bringing “fresh perspective, energy, and a desire to learn and contribute.”

At Doña Ana County, that impact has been tangible. “Daniela quickly climbed from serving as our fellow to becoming the leader of our housing area,” Andrews said of Daniela Andrade, LGMF fellow and housing manager of Doña Ana County. “She may have come to us as a fellow, but she will lead and make an amazing assistant county manager in the very near future.”

Andrews also highlighted LGMF fellow Melissa Ochoa’s versatility, from launching a youth commission to contributing to the county’s first two-year budget cycle. “It has been a complete joy watching both of these rock stars grow,” he beamed.

Fellows Driving Real Impact

For fellows themselves, the program offers more than exposure; it delivers real-world responsibility and influence. Melissa Ochoa entered the fellowship with a clear goal of transitioning from state to local government to make a more direct impact. “The LGMF allowed me to gain hands-on experience and explore multiple departments,” she noted. “The most valuable part has been learning from the executive level.”

One of Ochoa’s proudest accomplishments was helping to establish a youth commission for local high schools. “I helped design and create a program that introduces the students to local government and allows them to voice their opinions on policies that impact them.”

Andrade brought extensive international experience to the fellowship, having worked in Ecuador’s government for eight years. For her, the program provided a pathway into the U.S. council-manager form of government. “I realized that the ICMA path offered a way to make technical, evidence-based decisions at the highest level of government.”

Her impact was immediate and significant. Within months, Andrade transitioned into a leadership role as housing manager, where she helped establish the county’s first housing department. “We successfully added the creation of a community land trust, projected to provide permanently affordable housing for approximately 800 households,” she said.

Andrade also emphasized the importance of working directly with elected officials. “It provided a masterclass in navigating the political-administrative interface.”

Professional Growth Through ICMA

Beyond fellowship placement, ICMA itself plays a critical role in supporting participants’ development. “Having the opportunity to go to the ICMA Annual Conference is a huge deal,” said Ochoa. “This is the best conference to attend, especially for networking and having meaningful conversations.”

Both fellows highlighted the importance of mentorship, networking, and access to national insights. “For a manager, having access to that collective intelligence is invaluable,” Andrade said, referencing ICMA’s webinars, publications, and professional community.

Andrews echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his own career journey. “I met amazing mentors that I still maintain relationships with many years later,” he reflected. “I have worked hard to pay it forward.”

A Call to Future Hosts

For local governments considering participation, both Lang and Andrews offer a clear message: get involved. “I would absolutely recommend the fellowship program,” Andrews said. “It is a fantastic way to bring high-quality, youthful talent to your community.”

Lang reinforced the mutual benefits. “As a host, you have the opportunity to recruit some of the best and brightest graduates,” he said. “And as a fellow, you have access to ICMA’s membership and professional networking.”

What Makes LGMF Special

When asked to define the fellowship in a single sentence, each participant pointed to its unique ability to combine responsibility, mentorship, and impact. “LGMF is special because of the connections that fellows make,” said Ochoa. “It transcends traditional internships,” added Andrade, “placing emerging leaders into high-impact roles where real responsibility meets direct executive mentorship.” For Andrews, the answer was even more direct: “It is what is right with government.”

Investing in the Future

As communities navigate increasingly complex challenges, the need for the next generation of skilled, ethical, and forward-thinking leaders has never been greater. Programs like the ICMA LGMF are not just filling positions, they are shaping the future of the profession.

As Lang concluded, “The success of LGMF is thanks to the support and advocacy of members, combined with dedicated, curious, and hard-working fellows.” For ICMA members, the message is clear: investing in emerging leaders isn’t just beneficial, it’s essential.

For those interested in learning more about the LGMF program, whether as a future host or fellow, contact David Lang at dlang@icma.org or careers@icma.org.