Rebuilding Institutions through Service & Expertise
A Branch4 Project
What We Believe
Reclaim and mobilize public service talent for democratic recovery, resilience, and reconstruction.
MISSION
A just democracy that invests in our communities and the public workers who are called to serve them.
VISION
A healthy democracy requires deep investment in our communities and the public workers who are called to serve them. At a time when our democratic institutions and workforce are under attack, it is critical that we empower civil servants to challenge harmful or ineffective policies and advance meaningful reform that prioritizes the common good. Public servants have steered our institutions through many storms, and we must invest in their expertise because it will be vital for rebuilding the capacity and the trust required to strengthen and shape our collective future—a future where government is just, accessible, and responsive.
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We are called to the work of serving communities because our communities built us. We are the bridge between the individual, the public, and the institution. It is our responsibility to serve the common good.
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We move collectively and in partnership across our sectors, disciplines, and movements to advance institutional recovery and build towards the future all our communities deserve.
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We strive for a just government that addresses and dismantles the racial, social, and economic barriers that have historically denied equitable access to federal resources and opportunities. Serving the public well requires us to confront the structures that create disparity, inaccessibility, and generational distrust.
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We uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, transparency, and accountability in all work—regardless of sector, role, or partisan affiliation.
“I think that there will be a lot to repair and renew when the time comes, a lot of trust to rebuild, and I hope I’m here to see it and contribute.”
What We Do
We stand at a critical turning point. Institutional resilience depends not only on protecting agencies, but on maintaining people, skills, relationships, and institutional memory across periods of disruption. RISE meets this moment by investing in the human infrastructure that makes government work.
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By supporting RISE fellows and building cross-sector coalitions and partnerships, we build a resilient and well-resourced community of public servants. RISE and its partners offer fellows leadership development training, skill building and workshop opportunities, and networking events.
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As senior leaders retire or depart and many early-career employees transition out of federal service, the normal transmission of institutional knowledge has been disrupted. The experience, judgment, and leadership practices that sustain effective governance are at risk of being lost at a pivotal moment. RISE’s Mentors for the Future program creates an intergenerational pipeline, connecting experienced public servants with early- to mid-career professionals committed to public service.
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Community-centered governance is an approach that shifts the decision-making power from centralized authorities to local communities. By following the leadership of frontline communities, civil servants can enact policies that enable communities to manage their own resources and shape their own future. RISE creates opportunities for fellows to engage with community leaders, helping build stronger federal–community partnerships and more community-informed approaches to governance.
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Even when their roles in government have been disrupted, RISE fellows remain deeply committed to public service. Many are seeking ways to continue contributing their expertise to policy, governance, and community outcomes. RISE helps fellows navigate their career paths by connecting them with opportunities where their skills, experience, and commitment to public service can have the greatest impact.
“It’s expensive to destroy the status quo, but they’re doing that right now for us. How do we build back new?”
Leadership
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Leah Kessler
Program Director and Founder of RISE
Leah Kessler is a DC–based public servant focused on climate resilience, disaster recovery, and building equitable public institutions and policies that serve communities effectively. As a 2023 Presidential Management Fellow, Leah served in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Disaster Recovery and at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she worked as Special Assistant and Equity Advisor to the Deputy Administrator. In February 2025, Leah’s federal service was cut short during a broad dismissal of probationary employees — an experience that underscored both the fragility of our institutions and the need for more resilient infrastructure.
She now works at Hagerty Consulting as a disaster response professional, supporting communities recovering from disasters and developing climate adaptation and mitigation strategies. Leah holds a Master in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BA in Public Policy and Biology from the University of Chicago. -
Elizabeth Quill
Program Manager, RISE
As a 2023 Presidential Management Fellow (PMF), Elizabeth Quill served as a Program Analyst at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where she played a key role in implementing the Inflation Reduction Act-funded Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP). Within HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing, she helped award $1.4 billion in grants and loans to support energy-efficient, climate-resilient upgrades in affordable housing communities across the country.
Elizabeth now works as the Experiential Learning Coordinator for the Institute for Advanced Computing at Virginia Tech, uniting top innovators in the areas of AI/ML, Wireless, and Computer Systems, supporting students and faculty through project-based learning and strategic partnerships. Elizabeth is focused on tackling real-world, human-centered challenges through industry, non-profit, and government agency collaborations.Elizabeth holds her Master of Public Administration and BA in Public and Urban Affairs from Virginia Tech.
Make an Impact Today
Join RISE
Early- to mid-career former civil servants can join the RISE network by filling out this interest form.
Support the Next Generation of Public Service Leaders
Senior leaders can mentor, advise, or partner with RISE.
→ Contact us: leah.kessler@branch-4.org
Invest in the Future of Public Service
Support RISE’s work strengthening democratic institutions. This vital work depends on people like you — donate today.
