Polly Olsen
Washington Tribal Government Relations Director
Seattle, WA
Polly Olsen Polly Olsen joins The Nature Conservancy as our first Tribal government relations director in Washington state, a first-of-its-kind role. © John Curry Photography
Biography
Polly Olsen joins The Nature Conservancy (TNC) as our first Tribal government relations director in Washington state, a first-of-its-kind role that reflects TNC’s deepening commitment to work in collaborative partnership with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples.
Polly is a member of the Yakama Nation, in south-central Washington. She joins the team after more than 25 years at the University of Washington, where she focused on Tribal relations and Indigenizing academia—work rooted in creating space for authentic collaboration, cultural understanding and trust-based relationships with Tribes and Indigenous Peoples.
Polly comes to TNC at a moment when the organization is leaning into deeper reflection about our responsibilities to lands and waters and how we commit to supporting Indigenous Peoples locally and globally. Her role helps guide TNC toward deeper listening and clarity in understanding our role supporting healing and care for the Earth.
Drawing on decades of experience as a facilitator and bridge-builder, Polly helps scientists and organizational leaders understand and practice the stewardship principles Native peoples have held since time immemorial. Her approach centers on listening, so she can help guide the organization into living its mission, building trust and showing up as a genuine collaborator. She believes healing work emerges when scientific and cultural knowledges work together to shape the future we hope to leave the next generations.
Polly reflects, “It is an honor to be invited to serve in this role; it is also a big responsibility—I enter this rooted in humility and values, to help bring the wisdom we need to continue to heal.”
Polly is also a cultural food gatherer and an avid indoor soccer player, living in Seattle.