Fran DiDonato, Esq. is a distinguished attorney and ESG strategist with over two decades of experience driving organizational change, specializing in municipal law, government operations, and civic sustainability. Currently a member of the team at Hubay Dougherty, LLC, Fran drives the firm’s regulatory and clean energy development practices. She brings deep expertise to municipal utility project development, helping local governments and stakeholders navigate complex federal and state regulatory landscapes.

Fran’s career is rooted in transformative public service and civic innovation. Her extensive history with the City of Cleveland began when she served as the first attorney assigned to the city’s sustainability program in 2005, where she was instrumental in the foundational 2007 creation of the Office of Sustainability. She recently returned to the City to serve as Director and Senior Strategist for Sustainability under Mayor Justin M. Bibb’s administration. In this executive leadership capacity, Fran facilitated cabinet-level hiring, led comprehensive organizational restructuring, and developed strategic frameworks to embed sustainability directly into core city operations.

Beyond her direct work in government, Fran is the Founder and Principal of Practicum Consulting, a boutique firm dedicated to social progress and transparent systems. Whether advising green technology start-ups or architecting multisector public-private strategies, she leverages her extensive municipal background to move complex projects forward. Known for her ability to "get to yes," Fran excels at bridging the gap between visionary civic ideas and practical, regulatory execution.

Fran holds a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law and a joint Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Relations and Latin American Studies from Boston University. She lives in Cleveland with her family, where she is an active community member and enjoys life near the shores of Lake Erie.