Hilary Franz has led Washington’s Department of Natural Resources since January 2017, when she succeeded Okanogan rancher and molecular biologist Peter Goldmark. She is the state’s fourteenth Commissioner of Public Lands.
A native Cascadian, Franz has been committed to the work of building a more sustainable region for decades. She has extensive experience in both the nonprofit sector (with organizations like Futurewise, Washington Environmental Council, and Conservation Northwest) as well as the public sector (as a Bainbridge Island City Councilmember and a member of numerous boards and commissions).
As Commissioner of Public Lands, she has been an outspoken advocate of increased funding for geologic hazards research and firefighting readiness.
Only a few hours ago, Commissioner Franz testified before the Washington State Senate’s Ways & Means Committee in support of a bill (Senate Bill 5996) that would establish a dedicated source of revenue for combating wildfires and equipping firefighters with essential tools needed to keep communities safe.
“Our firefighters and scientists have given us the blueprint to tackle our wildfire and forest health crisis, now it’s time for us to give them what they need to get the job done,” said Commissioner Franz. “Wildfire affects us all… we must all do our part.”
Commissioner Franz has always felt a close connection to the land. Her family has owned farmland in Pierce County since the 1930s, and she has been raising three sons on a historic farm on Bainbridge Island for almost twenty years. We deeply appreciate her passion for environmental protection and sustainable farming, and we’re very happy to have her as part of this year’s speaking program.
Commissioner Franz joins a diverse, dynamic lineup of speakers at this year’s gala.
Our reception host will be Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta, a champion of working people who was elected along with three other progressive candidates (the Burien Fantastic Four) in the fiercely contested local elections of 2017.
Our master of ceremonies (session scheduling permitting) will be Senator Manka Dhingra, a trailblazing lawmaker who serves on the board of NPI’s new charitable sibling, the Northwest Progressive Foundation.
And we will be presenting El Centro de la Raza’s Estela Ortega with a Lynn Allen Award for indispensable contributions to progressive causes.
A household ticket admits all the members of an immediate family and is a good value if you plan to attend with your spouse or children. (The gala is a family-friendly event, and young people of all ages are welcome!).
These are our ticket rates:
Individual ($75, admits one person)
Household ($125, admits an entire family)
Living Lightly ($25, for students and activists on limited incomes)
Here are the details for this year’s gala:
What: NPI’s 2019 Spring Fundraising Gala
Where: Renton Community Center
When: Friday, April 26th, 2019 | Reception at 5:30 PM; program at 7 PM
Who: Join the NPI team, Burien Mayor Jimmy Matta, State Senator Manka Dhingra, author Mike Lux, and Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz
Why: Because an effective resistance needs organizations testing progressive ideas and building permanent infrastructure
We hope you’ll help us make our biggest event of the year a success by buying your ticket and joining us in Renton at the end of the month.
Andrew Villeneuve
Andrew Villeneuve is the founder and executive director of the Northwest Progressive Institute, as well as the founder of NPI's sibling, the Northwest Progressive Foundation. He has worked to advance progressive causes for over two decades as a strategist, speaker, author, and organizer. Andrew is also a cybersecurity expert, a veteran facilitator, a delegate to the Washington State Democratic Central Committee, and a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps.