Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Wade Crowfoot

No. 11 Wade Crowfoot

As Secretary of Natural Resources Crowfoot is tasked with overseeing one of Gavin Newsom’s top priorities, dealing with climate change. But his responsibilities go well beyond that. He oversees 25,000 state employees across 26 departments, including Water Resources, Cal Fire and Fish and Wildlife. In plain terms, if it has to do with forests, rivers, the coastline, wildlife (wolves anyone?) or water supply, Crowfoot probably has a hand it its management. But Crowfoot’s real power is being one of his boss’s most trusted advisors well beyond just all things environmental. Big or small, no matter the issue Crowfoot has Newsom’s trust, which translates to a lot of influence on the eighth floor of the Swing Space. Crowfoot previously served as Gov. Jerry Brown’s Deputy Cabinet Secretary and Senior Advisor before joining the Newsom administration. He has also led the non-profit Water Foundation and served as the West Coast regional director for the Environmental Defense Fund.

Updated Aug. 11, 2026