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Eugene Hillsman is Deputy Director of Equity & Inclusion for California's Department of Cannabis Control (DCC). Born in Danville, Illinois and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Hillsman received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Upon graduation, he joined the staff of the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation as an associate program officer, working to improve equity and increase access to high quality experiences for all young people.
Hillsman interned with the Rockefeller Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Goldman Sachs. He has also worked as a criminal justice advocate to reduce the jail and prison population. After receiving his master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, Hillsman continued his education at Princeton and received his doctorate in history. His dissertation, an examination of American marijuana policy, looked at the impact of the War on Drugs on disadvantaged communities. After finishing his doctoral work, he moved to California to join the Office of Cannabis as Deputy Director in San Francisco. Hillsman was appointed to his current position by Governor Newsom in July, 2021.
Hillsman interned with the Rockefeller Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and Goldman Sachs. He has also worked as a criminal justice advocate to reduce the jail and prison population. After receiving his master's degree in public affairs from Princeton University's Woodrow Wilson School, Hillsman continued his education at Princeton and received his doctorate in history. His dissertation, an examination of American marijuana policy, looked at the impact of the War on Drugs on disadvantaged communities. After finishing his doctoral work, he moved to California to join the Office of Cannabis as Deputy Director in San Francisco. Hillsman was appointed to his current position by Governor Newsom in July, 2021.