WLGCC welcomes new team member, Hussain Mahmood!
By Kaysee Beckstrom, Program Manager
We are excited to welcome Hussain Mahmood to the WLGCC team as our new Energy & Sustainability Advisor! It’s been a pleasure getting to know Hussain during his first few weeks and I can already tell he will be a great asset to our team and provide additional support to our members. I sat down with him to learn more about his passion for climate action at the local level.
Kaysee: Welcome, Hussain! We are so glad to have you and your expertise on our team to help support local governments in their climate action journeys. Could you tell us more about your background and experience working with local governments?
Hussain: As a public policy practitioner, I have spent over eight years working with state and local governments to address policy challenges and assist them in improving their institutional efficiency. This experience has been enlightening, revealing the significant impact that local governments have on the daily lives of citizens. It has also deepened my understanding of bureaucratic processes, from the initial planning stages of a project to its final execution. Additionally, working closely with the public sector has highlighted the constraints faced by many local governments. Despite being at the forefront of service delivery, they often contend with limited financial resources and must lean on other funding avenues such as state and federal grants.
Kaysee: What an impressive background and skillset that I’m sure will translate well to this role! You recently earned a Masters in Environmental Sustainability with a concentration in Municipal Sustainability from Indiana University. What drew you to this field of work?
Hussain: Growing up in Pakistan, I witnessed firsthand the severe impacts of climate change. The rising heatwaves, increasingly frigid winters, and frequent flooding compelled me to take action. I realized that to make a meaningful difference, I needed to deepen my understanding of sustainability and climate change. I sought to combine this knowledge with my professional experience to contribute positively to society. As cities and states in the United States work on developing and enhancing their climate action plans, it was clear to me that I wanted to be actively involved in these efforts and play a significant role.
Kaysee: Climate change is both a global and local issue that’s becoming more and more urgent every day. Together, we can help communities become more resilient and do our part to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change. That said, what are you most looking forward to in your new role?
Hussain: I am very excited about the opportunity to work with not just one, but over a twentymember cities and counties. This will provide me with a broader perspective on the various challenges and solutions that the members are addressing, and how we can pool our resources to collaborate on climate and sustainability initiatives. I am particularly eager to explore ways to enhance energy efficiency in buildings and transportation throughout Wisconsin and to discover innovative solutions that can make a significant impact in these areas. Being new to the field, I view this role as a challenge and understand that there will be a learning curve. However, what excites and motivates me is the chance to work with colleagues who have extensive experience in climate change and sustainability.
Kaysee: To your point, I can say it is a privilege to work along side local government staff who are making a huge difference in their communities. We are so excited to work with you and learn from you, Hussain. Welcome to the Wisconsin Local Government Climate Coalition!