The first WSLB Speaker Series event, Environmental Leaders, is now over! Stay tuned for the next Speaker Series event on a new topic of interest to leaders in Washington.
If you missed this wonderful discussion led by student leaders Ritika K. and Jaida B. from our Boundless Washington program, check out the highlights video!
At this exclusive event, audience members had the opportunity to join elected officials, community leaders, and Washington youth in a virtual youth forum on environmentalism. This panel of environmental leaders included Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, former Chairman of the Lummi Nation Jay Julius, and environmental activist Maria Sheldon who shared their perspectives on effective advocacy for sustainability, environmentalism, and environmental justice.
The panel discussion was led by two student leaders from the Boundless Washington program.
WHEN: April 30th, 2021 // 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (PST)
WHERE: VIRTUAL
Speakers
Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz
Hilary Franz is proud to serve as Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands. She brings a passion for the lands and waters of Washington and a compassion for all of our communities. She has a leadership style that is rare: she brings people together across long-standing divisions to make things better for all, not just for a few. As the leader of Washington’s wildfire fighting force, Hilary pushed for new strategies to respond to fires quickly and keep them small. She then secured record-setting funding to expand our firefighting team, restore the health of our forests, and help communities prepare. Hilary is a defender of our public lands. When the federal government tried to open our waters to offshore drilling, Hilary refused to allow drilling equipment to cross our coastline. In the face of climate change, Hilary is prioritizing wind and solar power and making significant investments to preserve forestland, protect agricultural lands, and restore salmon habitat. She leads by bridging divides and bringing people together. She’s earned high marks from leaders across the state, including from conservative leaders in rural Washington, who’ve praised her willingness to solve local issues, increase funding for schools, invest in rural economic development, and tackle our wildfire crisis.
Former Chairman of the Lummi Nation Jay Julius
Jay is a fisherman, father, and proud Lummi Nation Tribal member who upholds his Xa xalh Xechnging (sacred obligation) by continuing to empower Native leadership, and to advocate for the Salish Sea. Born and raised at Lummi Nation in Bellingham, Washington, Jay spent a number of years in California as a professional golfer, speaker, and entrepreneur before returning home to Lummi. Jay brings a wealth of experience in leadership development, Native legal and economic issues, and motivational speaking. As a leader, Jay is known for his strategic thinking, his collaborative approach, and for his gift in facilitating conflict resolution. He has served as Chair of, and on Council at, Lummi Nation; has organized and executed Tribal, local, regional, and national campaigns; and has working relationships at all levels of government. He is a bridge-builder, using empathy and storytelling to bring people together. His years as a professional golfer show in how he coaches executives and teams to play to their strengths; his years as a businessman show in his ability to get the work done.
Maria Sheldon, The Service Board
Maria (she/her) Sheldon is a passionate advocate for environmental and social justice. She was born and raised in south Seattle and has spent her life exploring the Pacific Northwest. Growing up in this area, she has formed a great attachment and respect for nature and the many ways we can explore and protect it. She feels lucky to have grown up in such a beautiful environment, but understands that not everyone has access to the spaces that brings her so much peace. At Western Washington University she received her degree in Environmental Studies focusing on Environmental Education and Urban Planning. It was there that she fell in love with teaching in the outdoors and working with youth. She believes that her greatest impact on the environment comes from supporting others in finding their appreciation for the outdoors. After college, she worked with Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust as an Educator and with a variety of other environmental organizations in education and program development. While working in and teaching about the environment, she realized that her passion didn’t directly lie in nature but with the people that filled those spaces. As the Program Coordinator at The Service Board, she works towards creating more accessibility to the outdoors and the multitudes of benefits it provides. Nature is more than just trees and mountains, but a place for community to form, lessons to be learned, and memories to be shared.