Growing a Vibrant Economic Ecosystem in Downtown Fresno

The City of Fresno’s anticipated high-speed rail station and soccer stadium have the potential to be transformative anchor attractions in the Downtown and Chinatown neighborhoods. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support this effort by advancing the stadium’s construction and coordinating additional commercial and residential investment in the surrounding area. This work will help Fresno promote economic development and inclusion in these communities.

Fellowship Dates: October 26, 2026 – October 22, 2027

Salary: Executive Fellows are FUSE employees and receive an annual salary of $95,000. Fellows can also access various health, dental, and vision insurance benefits. This amount is not representative of market-rate salaries for the experienced professionals in our program but is intended as compensation for a year of public service.

ABOUT THE FUSE EXECUTIVE FELLOWSHIP

FUSE is a national nonprofit dedicated to increasing the capacity of local governments to work more effectively for communities. We embed private sector executives in city and county agencies to lead projects that improve public services and accelerate systems change. Since 2012, FUSE has led over 400 projects in 58 governments across 26 states, impacting a total population equivalent to 1 in 10 Americans.

When designing each fellowship project, FUSE works closely with government partners and community stakeholders to define a scope of work that will achieve substantive progress toward high-priority local needs. Projects address today’s most pressing challenges and opportunities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, climate resilience, public safety, infrastructure, technology, and more.

FUSE conducts a full executive search for each individual project to ensure that the selected candidate has at least 15 years of professional experience, the required competencies for the role, and deep connections to the community being served.

Executive Fellows are embedded in government agencies working with senior leaders for at least one year of full-time work. Prospective responsibilities may include thorough data analytics and research, developing enhanced operations and financial models, building change management and strategic planning processes, and/or building broad coalitions to support project implementation efforts. Executive Fellows are data-driven and results-oriented and able to effectively manage complex projects. They build strong relationships with a broad array of stakeholders, foster alignment within and across various layers of government, and build partnerships between governments and communities.

Throughout the fellowships, Executive Fellows receive training, coaching, and professional support to help achieve their project goals.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Fresno, CA is one of the ten most diverse large cities in the United States. Chinese immigrants founded Fresno’s Chinatown in the 1870s, and it quickly became a cultural and commercial center. Subsequent communities moving to the Central Valley got their start in this neighborhood and the nearby Downtown. Unfortunately, a legacy of redlining and racial covenants limited many BIPOC families’ ability to grow wealth. Three highways surround Downtown and Chinatown, cutting off these communities from other neighborhoods and limiting investment.

Despite historical challenges, things are changing for these neighborhoods. Between 2005 and 2014, Fresno’s concentrated poverty had decreased by 68%. California High-Speed Rail’s inaugural Central Valley segment will feature a stop in Downtown Fresno, with the potential to bring visitors from across the state. In addition, the city has received external funding to set up a real estate investment trust (REIT) in Chinatown to improve infrastructure and quality of life. Recently, the United Soccer League (USL) entered an agreement with the City to build a soccer stadium Downtown. This stadium will become the home for new women’s and men’s soccer teams. This has the potential to generate economic activity year-round through both teams’ games, high school events, concerts, and other occasions. The potential site would be ideal for mixed-use development, as it has room to construct housing, hotels, and other businesses. If successful, these projects could revitalize Downtown and Chinatown, generating opportunities for residents.

As the City engages partners to transform Downtown and Chinatown, it must ensure these investments are coherent, sustainable, and inclusive. Effective coordination and technical leadership will ensure that high-speed rail, REIT, and stadium investments work together to maximize value for residents. The FUSE Executive Fellow will support the City in negotiating, advancing, and branding investments in the stadium and the surrounding area.

PROJECT APPROACH

The first 90 days of the fellowship will focus on in-depth discovery and relationship-building. Beginning in November 2026, the FUSE Executive Fellow will develop deep relationships with a broad range of stakeholders, including City C-suite (the mayor, city manager, and city council), investment partners (e.g., USL, philanthropic partners, California High-Speed Rail, private equity), and community members (with an emphasis on BIPOC families and business owners from Downtown and Chinatown). In addition, the Executive Fellow will review existing policies and best practices for effective, sustainable investment in soccer stadiums in communities similar to Fresno.

This discovery phase is intended to help the Executive Fellow develop a nuanced understanding of Downtown and Chinatown’s landscape, current challenges, and opportunities for sustainable, inclusive investment. Based on insights gathered, the Executive Fellow will develop and present proposed refinements to project goals, priorities, and anticipated deliverables for review and approval by the Executive Sponsor.

Next, the Executive Fellow will support the City in advancing stadium development. The City will have negotiated the development and design phase by the end of the year. Depending on how negotiations progress, the Executive Fellow may assist in the final aspects of the negotiation, support aspects of the construction phase (namely costs), secure sponsorships and financing, and develop branding. This will require extensive engagement with internal and external stakeholders, with an emphasis on ensuring prudent investment decisions and a functional design that serves visitors, residents, and workers alike.

At the same time, the Executive Fellow will facilitate investment in the surrounding areas (e.g., housing, hotels, public transit, businesses). This will include extensive collaboration with philanthropic partners, California High-Speed Rail, and major local investors and businesses. The Executive Fellow should aim to promote investments that are mutually reinforcing (i.e., rail station connectivity; Chinatown REIT investments and stadium work together). If successful, the stadium will be part of a coherent economic ecosystem that delivers a positive experience to participants on game day and in the off-season. As the stadium progresses, the other acreage on the plot will be developed and additional ecosystem-enabling investments (e.g., anchor businesses, housing developments, commercial kitchens) will have broken ground.

By the end of the fellowship, the Executive Fellow will have developed the project portfolio and relationships necessary for the City to revitalize Downtown and Chinatown. To ensure sustainability beyond the fellowship year, the investments should not require additional government support beyond the City’s regular staffing patterns and programs. The Executive Fellow will be responsible for working with the Mayor’s Office staff to ensure knowledge transfer and handover of any remaining responsibilities prior to departure.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

By October 2027, the Executive Fellow will have overseen the following:

• Stadium Investment Coordination & Support – Advance the development of the downtown soccer stadium by supporting coordination among the City, development partners, and key stakeholders. This may include milestone tracking, issue resolution, support on financing and sponsorship strategy, branding coordination, and ensuring alignment with City objectives.
• District Investment Strategy & Implementation Support – Help identify and advance complementary investments around the stadium site, including housing, hospitality, commercial, mobility, and public realm improvements that support year-round activity and long-term district success.
• Downtown and Chinatown Ecosystem Coordination – Coordinate across public, private, philanthropic, and community stakeholders to align stadium planning with broader catalytic efforts in Downtown and Chinatown, including high-speed rail connectivity and other revitalization initiatives.
• Partnership Development & Investment Positioning – Support the City in cultivating partners and preparing materials, coordination, and strategy needed to attract and advance additional catalytic investment in the district.
• Transition and Next-Phase Roadmap – Deliver a clear implementation roadmap, including active workstreams, partner relationships, key decision points, and recommended next steps, to ensure continuity after the fellowship concludes.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• Executive Sponsor – Jerry Dyer, Mayor of Fresno, CA, City of Fresno
• Executive Sponsor – Kelli Furtado, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor
• Project Supervisor – Jordan Sanchez, Chief of Staff, Office of the Mayor

QUALIFICATIONS

• Synthesizes complex information into clear and concise recommendations and action-oriented implementation plans.
• Develops and effectively implements both strategic and operational project management plans.
• Generates innovative, data-driven, and result-oriented solutions to complex challenges.
• Respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies, and other processes.
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing and excels in active listening and conversing.
• Fosters collaboration across multiple constituencies to support more effective decision-making.
• Establishes and maintains strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, both inside and outside of government, particularly community-based relationships.
• Embraces differing viewpoints and implements strategies to find common ground. Demonstrates confidence and professional diplomacy while effectively interacting with individuals at all levels of various organizations.

FUSE is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply for this position.