Megan Franich

Director of Development

Before joining the Appalachian Trail Conservancy,  Megan served as Director of Development, West and Midwest Regions, at The National WWII Museum, where she raised funds for the museum’s successful $400 million capital campaign. She closed several eight-figure gifts to support educational initiatives, the endowment, and other programs.  Megan has also helped advance fundraising programs at the New Orleans Opera and the New Breath Foundation.

Megan grew up in the Pacific Northwest on a lake outside of Seattle. This helped shape her belief that nature is the best cure. She enjoys spending time outdoors when she needs to reset and often visits national parks and forests. Megan has fond memories of hiking the Appalachian Trail in the Smokies. She is passionate about climate science,  education, history, and foreign policy.

Megan holds a master’s degree in history from the University of New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Gonzaga University.