Hilari Varnadore - as the Program Director for the STAR Community Index, Hilari manages the development and implementation of a national, voluntary, consensus-based framework for improving the livability and sustainability of U.S. communities. STAR is a collaborative initiative between ICLEI, the U.S. Green Building Council and the Center for American Progress. Prior to joining ICLEI, Hilari was the Sustainability Director for Frederick County, Maryland. Hilari was responsible for advancing sustainability within government operations and decision- making processes as well as designing and implementing innovative community initiatives. She developed an internal Sustainable Action Team and planning process, established an appointed Sustainability Commission, and raised more than $2 million to support and sustain the office. Hilari has been an active member of the Urban Sustainability Directors Network and a volunteer on the Planning & Design Technical Advisory Committee within the STAR Community Index program. She is an advisory board member to the Maryland Clean Energy Center and a strong advocate for developing local government networks around sustainability in both MD and the DC Metro area. Hilari ran a MD nonprofit focused on sustainability and Chesapeake Bay protection during the 2000s. Her academic background is in community resiliency, planning and environmental policy.