About the Speaker: Julianne Polanco is a heritage professional with experience at the international to local levels, focused on building rehabilitation, historic site stewardship, cultural heritage, climate change and public policy.  Her extensive work in the natural resources, environmental, and land conservation arenas has been on behalf of a member of Congress, California Governors, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.

Currently the California State Historic Preservation Officer, Julianne oversees preservation laws, working in collaboration with Tribal nations, adjacent communities, federal and state agencies, and non-governmental organizations, to steward cultural and historic resources.  She is dedicated to helping ensure that the stories of all communities are present in the rich and beautiful mosaic of our shared history.  A primary focus of her work is on the intersection of cultural heritage and climate action, raising the voices of communities to help create a just, low carbon, resilient future.

Julianne is a Senior Advisory to Preserving Legacies, a global initiative aimed to empower every community with the scientific knowledge and technical training to achieve appropriate place and people-based climate adaptation plans.  She is a founding board member and Immediate Past Co-Chair of the Climate Heritage Network and a Fellow of the Urban Land Institute’s Sustainability Council.