Former WA lands commissioner Hilary Franz takes top job at forest conservation nonprofit

A year after her unsuccessful bid for Congress, former Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz has accepted a job as the president and CEO of a forest conservation nonprofit.

American Forests, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, announced Franz’s hiring last week. She confirmed Friday that she has no plans to run for higher office.

“My focus now is on American Forests and working with our amazing team to achieve the audacious goals we have of conserving and restoring America’s forests,” Franz said in an email.

Franz will start her new role on Sept. 30. Washington state will still be her home base, she said, though she will be traveling frequently to Washington D.C. and other American Forests sites around the country.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/09/22/former-wa-lands-commissioner-hilary-franz-takes-top-job-at-forest-conservation-nonprofit/