Claire Hawkins

Claire Hawkins joined the Commissioner’s Office at the State of Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation & Forestry (DACF) in August 2020 as Director of Natural Resource Markets & Economic Development. In this role, she works closely with the Commissioner and Bureaus to provide strategic advisory related to public investment, trade and market development, policy, fund administration, international affairs, research and data coordination, and collaboration across economic development and industry organizations. Claire regularly engages in committee and working group efforts related to agriculture, food & beverage, outdoor recreation, forest products, bioeconomy, technology, and innovation. She serves as Maine’s Chair for forest bioeconomy collaboration under the Department’s Memorandum of Understanding with the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry.
Claire has broad expertise in market research and strategy. She spent ten years in the private sector working with clients representing a diverse range of industries on projects related to market access and capture, competitive advantage, product development, and consumer engagement. Prior to joining DACF, Claire was Director of Investment Operations at the Maine Technology Institute, where she worked to refine investment programming for start-ups and administer public funding opportunities. Claire is particularly interested in the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and investment strategy. Claire has a B.A. from the University of Vermont and an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire. She has additional training in circular economy, sustainability strategies, and economic development finance.