Inclusive Growth Fellowship Welcomes Third Cohort

Yale SOM’s Inclusive Growth Fellowship has named the students in its third cohort, who will partner with New Haven agencies on local economic development projects designed to benefit all residents.

The fellowship was established by Dean Kerwin Charles in 2021 to strengthen the partnership between Yale University and its home city of New Haven and advance the work of the Center for Inclusive Growth. Throughout the spring semester, fellows will work under the guidance of leaders in New Haven’s Economic Development Administration and program assistant Peter Waggonner ’26, a former fellow.

The new cohort comprises eight MBA students whose experience spans consulting, local government, accounting, technology, and the U.S. military. They were chosen from more than 50 applicants.

“I am thrilled to have selected our third cohort of fellows,” said Dean Charles, the chair of the center’s board. “Personal, practical connections to the New Haven community are essential to our partnership with the city, just as they are important opportunities for our students. In service of our mission to educate leaders for business and society, these projects will allow students to apply their skills to the goal we share with the city to foster inclusive growth.”

This year’s projects align with ongoing city initiatives and reflect New Haven’s broader priorities.

Raquel Borges Izar ’27 and Philip Reilly ’26 will develop a business plan to advance New Haven’s secondary processing capacity for mass timber, a low-carbon construction material. Their work will build on earlier cohorts’ research on the regional mass timber supply chain.

Anthony Asiegbunam ’27 and Ahita Paul ’26 will continue last year’s exploration of a potential conference center in New Haven. They will create a financial model and execution plan for a potential venue and address the operational approach, technological features, and potential economic development incentives.

Holly Briffa ’27 and Eytan Deener-Agus ’27 will use data and storytelling to strengthen support among local stakeholders for efficient and affordable housing development. They will complete an analysis of historical zoning trends initiated by last year’s cohort and help develop amendments to the city’s zoning code aligned with the affordable housing goals in New Haven’s comprehensive 10-year plan, Vision 2034.

Taking on a new focus area, Gerald Velasquez ’26 and Adam Vieira ’27 will support the city’s Mill River Municipal Development Plan, which advocates for the revitalization of the formerly industrial area on the banks of the Mill River. Their work will focus on addressing site development barriers, collaborating with existing businesses to minimize disruption, and identifying opportunities for inclusive growth.

The Yale SOM Inclusive Growth Fellowship is made possible thanks to generous support provided by the Amman Community Impact Fund.