Sybil Francis

Francis is a founding member, President and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona. She oversees CFA’s strategic innovations, research and partnerships as well as advances key initiatives that are part of CFA’s core work areas including Arizona Progress Meters, Civic Health and Education & Workforce Innovation. Prior to her role as President and CEO, she served as Executive Director. Francis serves on multiple boards and committees including the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) as a Fellow and member of the Electorate Nominating Committee; The Nature Conservancy Arizona Chapter Board of Trustees and is Chair of its Conservation and Public Policy Committee; she is a member of the ASU Preparatory Academy’s Board of Directors; a member of the Expect More Arizona Statewide Advisory Council; and a member of the Arizona Business & Education Coalition Board of Directors. Francis also is founding member and Co-Chair of Arizona State University Foundation’s Women and Philanthropy program; a member of the Arizona Women’s Forum; and a member of Charter 100. Prior to moving to Arizona in 2002, Francis’ public policy work focused on advancing the national science and technology enterprise. She is a public policy architect committed to advancing innovative solutions to societal imperatives. Francis began her career working in the U.S. House of Representatives and later served in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy under the Executive Office of the President. Francis holds a B.A. in Chemistry at Oberlin College and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.