Francis Henn

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in American Cultural Studies from Western Washington University, Francis spent two years working on community development and maternal health initiatives in the highlands of Guatemala. In 2020, he returned to Washington state and spent the next few years running small-scale and regenerative farming enterprises in the Puget Sound region. Francis came to Wisconsin in March of 2024 to focus on the intersection of rural community development and immigrant advocacy with the broader goal of fostering more welcoming and culturally inclusive communities across the five counties of Southwestern Wisconsin. Tasked with serving as a point of connection between Spanish-speaking communities, local governments, and economic development institutions, Francis is responsible for building a rural ecosystem that values and supports all of its residents. Following the political changes of 2025, Francis began working closely with Voces de la Frontera as well as local organizations to coordinate know-your-rights workshops and legal clinics, develop communication systems, and establish rapid response teams in an effort to prepare, inform, and empower immigrant communities around the southwest region.