Frances Sawyer

Frances Sawyer is the Founder of Pleiades Strategy, which supports mission-driven leaders in achieving a democratic and climate-safe future through strategic planning, program design, and policy research. Additionally, Frances serves as the Bay Area Lead Fellow at Coro Northern California, fostering leadership among mid-career professionals. Frances has held previous roles as Chief of Staff at Detect, focusing on accessible molecular diagnostics, and as a Policy Advisor for Tom Steyer’s presidential campaign, where significant policies centered on equity and justice were developed. Experience in California’s government as Deputy Director of External Affairs under Governor Brown included advancing decarbonization efforts and organizing the Global Climate Action Summit. Frances's other roles include Chief of Staff at the Kahle-Austin Foundation and Internet Archive, Strategic Initiatives Associate at NextGen Climate and Fahr LLC, and a founding biographer for WriteLegacy. Educational credentials include a Master of Forestry in Environmental Resource Management from Yale School of the Environment and a Bachelor’s degree from Yale University.