08/20/2026
This is what it looks like when Hartford talent is given the opportunity to help shape Hartford.
As the 2026 fellowship year comes to a close, we are proud to celebrate Hartford Promise Fellows Nola Marchese, Frank DiChristina, and Ereza Horuni for the intelligence, curiosity, and fresh perspective they brought to Hartford City Hall.
Each Fellow made a meaningful contribution:
🌳 Nola studied Hartford’s parkettes and pocket parks, gathering resident feedback, analyzing neighborhood needs, and developing recommendations to make these small but important green spaces more welcoming, accessible, and sustainable.
📱 Frank supported citywide marketing and community engagement efforts, including launching Hartford’s official TikTok account from scratch. His work generated more than 50,000 views and helped the City connect with younger residents.
🤝 Ereza worked with the Office of Violence Prevention, gathering community resources and public safety data, connecting with organizations serving Hartford’s youth, and developing projects focused on Hartford’s story, community perceptions, and stakeholder well-being.
The Fellows were supported by an incredible team of City leaders, including Hartford Promise Scholar alumna Gabriela Anderson-Sanchez, now Senior Operations Manager for the City of Hartford. Her journey from Promise Scholar to mentor and public servant is a powerful example of what happens when Hartford invests in its young people.
These fellowships are about more than gaining professional experience. They give emerging leaders meaningful work, trusted mentors, and the opportunity to make a real impact in their own city.
Thank you to Gabriela and everyone at the City of Hartford who invested their time and expertise in our Fellows.
Congratulations, Nola, Frank, and Ereza. We cannot wait to see where your talent and commitment take you next.
Talent lives here. And when we create pathways for it to stay, grow, and lead here, all of Hartford benefits.
