Speakers

Hilary S. Franz is an American conservation attorney and former Democratic public official who served as the 16th Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands from January 11, 2017, to January 15, 2025. A native of the Pacific Northwest, she holds a BA in English and government from Smith College and a JD from Northeastern University School of Law. Franz began her public service on the Bainbridge Island City Council (2008–2011) and worked as executive director of Futurewise after practicing environmental law in Seattle (1997–2011). As commissioner, she oversaw the stewardship of nearly six million acres of public lands, spearheaded initiatives on wildfire preparedness and forest health—including treatment of over 800,000 acres—and fought for protections against offshore drilling and harmful aquaculture. Franz has been recognized for bringing diverse stakeholders together around sustainability and resilience in Washington’s forests, waters, and communities.