Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Celebrating Laura Hill: 2025 Federal 100 Award recipient

April 8, 2025
A man an a woman pose side by side at a gala event. The man wears a tuxedo and glasses, the woman wears a balck dress. The man has his arma around the woman's houlder. They are both smiling for the camera. They are in the middle of a banquet hall, surrounded by lights, chairs, tables and people.
Laura Hill with David Doran, Idaho State University's College of Technology, at the 2025 Federal 100 Award ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Laura Hill)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Laura Hill, Forest Service assistant chief information officer, was honored as part of this year’s Federal 100 Award Winners. 

She was recognized during the Evening of Honors award ceremony on April 3 in Washington, D.C. The Federal 100 award seeks to recognize the dedication of public servants working behind the scenes to ensure services continue to run smoothly and efficiently for the American public. The commitment of these employees toward improving processes, driving innovation and maximizing effectiveness is what makes government truly serve the people.

Hill has demonstrated time and again her leadership and dedication in defining the strategic direction of the Forest Service Information Technology program, one of the largest mission support areas in USDA.

Hill has focused on innovation, efficiency, mission and community to every organization she has led. New programs under her leadership within the past year include:  

A woman standing up an cheering for her self in celebration. She is wearing a black dress and is sitting amongst many other people in the middle of a banquet hall.
Laura Hill celebrates as her name is called, recognizing her as one of the 2025 Federal 100 Award recipients. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kenny Clark)

  • Developing the AI Center of Excellence for the Forest Service  

  • Bringing drone and GIS innovations to wildland firefighting  

  • Bringing internet connectivity to remote areas  

In addition, she spearheaded the Forest Service participation in the Warrior Transition Program, which provides employment opportunities for military service-disabled transitioning service members.

In June 2024, she developed a science, technology, engineering and mathematics camp to introduce students from the Shoshone and Bannock tribes to potential government careers in emergency response, wildland firefighting, GIS, artificial intelligence and cyber security. This program includes partners from industry and the nonprofit sectors.

Her work in 2024 has significantly advanced the organization's capabilities, demonstrated her commitment to community, and provided new opportunities for members of the public.