Harper Fortgang

Harper Fortgang is in her second term as the District 8 Youth Commissioner on the San Francisco Youth Commission, appointed by Board President Mandelman.

Harper grew up in District 8 and is now a senior at The Nueva School. Her interest in policy was sparked by interning with Supervisor Mandelman's office, researching and helping to draft a resolution to launch a public EV charging pilot in the City. She also interned with Judge Breall in the San Francisco Superior Court, where she learned about the challenges that young people face in juvenile dependency court and the role of the legal system to advocate for them. Harper created and leads Project Super Plants, a group of 45 high schoolers across the Bay Area who run interactive climate modules in elementary and middle schools to inspire youth-to-youth climate activism. Collectively, they have reached 4,000 students, including many in San Francisco.

On the SF Youth Commission, Harper chairs the Housing, Recreation, & Transit Committee and also plans to continue advocating for environmental and civic engagement initiatives this term. She hopes to keep connecting with youth organizations and bringing more young people to City Hall. As the SF Youth Commission’s representative on the CA Association of Youth Commissions, she will also continue to collaborate with youth across the state.

In her free time, Harper loves finding new hiking spots and discovering the City's best vegetarian food.