DIVERSE INDEPENDENT BOARD
SFI Inc. is governed by the 18-member SFI Board, which sets SFI’s strategic direction and is responsible for overseeing and improving the internationally recognized SFI Program and SFI Standards. The Board’s three chambers represent environmental, social and economic sectors equally. SFI Board members include executive-level representatives of conservation organizations, academic institutions, aboriginal/tribal entities, family forest owners, public officials, labor and the forest products industry. This diversity reflects the variety of interests in the forestry community.
ECONOMIC SECTOR
Board members representing the economic sector, which includes the forest, paper and wood products industry or other for-profit forest ownership or management entities:
MICHAEL P. DOSS (Vice-Chair)
President and CEO
Graphic Packaging International Inc.
Georgia
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MICHAEL P. DOSSPresident and CEO
Graphic Packaging International Inc.
Graphic Packaging is a leading provider of packaging solutions to a wide variety of companies in the food, beverage, and other consumer products sectors. With over $4.4 billion in sales, it is one of the largest global producers of folding cartons and it holds a market-leading position in coated-unbleached kraft and coated-recycled paper board.
Mike brings a wealth of leadership experience on sustainability and community building. His approach shows that financial results and corporate responsibility are not mutually exclusive. He also champions SFI certification to show how well‑managed forests play a central role in meeting sustainable development goals.
Mike has held several positions of commercial and operational leadership during his 25-year career with Graphic Packaging. He also serves on the board of directors for several associations and charities.
KEVIN EDGSON
President and CEO
EACOM Timber Corporation
Québec
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KEVIN EDGSON (SECRETARY-TREASURER)President and CEO
EACOM Timber Corporation
Kevin leads the second largest lumber producer in Eastern Canada. He is committed to meeting the highest standards for forest, environmental, and quality management. Since 2015, EACOM has worked to expand certification to SFI standards across its Ontario and Quebec operations.
Kevin also actively supports SFI’s community and education initiatives. He has participated in Project Learning Tree Canada webinars focused on helping youth establish themselves in green careers in the forest sector.
Kevin started his career more than 30 years ago, initially in the plywood and veneer business. He then worked in the pulp and paper sector, before focusing on solid and engineered wood products. Kevin also serves as a director on several boards.
JIM IRVING
Co-CEO
JD Irving Ltd.
New Brunswick
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JIM IRVINGCo-CEO
JD Irving Ltd.
JD Irving Limited (JDI) has operations in Canada and the United States. Its well‑managed forestlands in Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, produce pulp and paper products, specialty papers, tissue products, and lumber.
JDI was the recipient of the 2017 SFI Leadership in Conservation award and the company has been internationally recognized for innovation, research, and conservation. Jim’s environmental and community work includes capital campaign leadership for the Nature Conservancy of Canada as well as the Université de Moncton. Jim received the 2019 Port Award of the Year for outstanding contributions to the Port of Saint John, New Brunswick.
Jim is also a founding partner of the Collaboration for Atlantic Salmon Tomorrow, engaging universities, government, and industry in the cause of saving wild Atlantic salmon. JDI invests $1.5 million annually in forest research. This investment continues to guide best practices on the ground.
DON KAYNE
CEO
Canfor Corporation and Canfor Pulp
British Columbia
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DON KAYNECEO
Canfor Corporation and Canfor Pulp
Don’s work growing markets for Canfor’s products around the world has provided him with deep connections to markets and customers in every region the company serves. Headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canfor has operations in Canada and the U.S. and produces dimension lumber, value-added finishing products, pulp and paper, wood pellets, and green energy. Canfor is an SFI-certified company. Don was appointed President and CEO of Canfor Corporation in 2011 and the CEO of Canfor Pulp in 2012. He is a Director and past Chair of the Forest Products Association of Canada, current Chair of the Council of Forest Industries, and a Director of the Alberta Forest Products Association and the BC Lumber Trade Council. In 2014, he was appointed to the bi-national Softwood Lumber Board. He is a past Chair of the charitable organization, Educating Girls of Rural China Foundation, which works to transform the lives of women and communities in rural areas of western China by providing access to education.
BRENT KEEFER
(SECRETARY-TREASURER)
Chief Executive Officer
American Forest Management, Inc.
North Carolina
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BRENT KEEFERChief Executive Officer
American Forest Management, Inc.
Connecting his passion for sustainable forest management with the business of financial investments has always been a strong motivating force for Brent. He works with SFI to actively seek ways to expand the benefits associated with market-based ecosystem and climate-change services derived from well-managed privately owned forests.
American Forest Management, Inc. (AFM) is a national land management and real estate brokerage firm. AFM is the largest forestry consulting firm in the U.S. AFM offers a suite of services including land and habitat management, real estate sales, timberland inventory and sales, environmental stewardship, and technical services. AFM serves clients across the country with 48 offices and oversees more than 6.5 million acres/2.6 million hectares of land.
Prior to joining AFM, Brent served as the president of Hancock Timber Resource Group. He is a member of the Society of American Foresters.
SOCIAL SECTOR
Board members representing the social sector, which includes community or social interest groups like universities, labor, family forest owners or government agencies:
EBONIE ALEXANDER
Executive Director
Black Family Land Trust, Inc.
Virginia
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EBONIE ALEXANDERExecutive Director
Black Family Land Trust, Inc.
The Black Family Land Trust, Inc., is one of the only conservation land trusts dedicated to the preservation and protection of African American and other historically underserved landowners’ assets.
Black Family Land Trust programs are designed to engage landowners about conservation, natural resources, and environmental protection. Under Ebonie’s leadership, the Black Family Land Trust expanded from North Carolina to include Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Virginia. The trust has helped countless families retain their land assets for future generations. In 2020, Ebonie received the Gerald P. McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution.
Ebonie is passionate in her belief that land is a tangible asset, with economic, human, and spiritual value, which connects African Americans with their rich history. Ebonie is currently collaborating with SFI to support career pathways in the forest sector that increase land retention for African American families.
JEFF BROMLEY
Chair
USW Wood Council
British Columbia
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JEFF BROMLEYChair
USW Wood Council
Jeff represents sawmill workers, timber transportation workers and others working in the forestry sector. His experience directly supports SFI’s collaboration with local communities across the U.S. and Canada that rely on healthy, working forests for jobs, recreation, and environmental benefits.
Jeff advises SFI on how to engage locally to strengthen partnerships and mutual understanding. He works to reduce friction and build solutions that are better for the planet while supporting the needs of consumers and workers alike.
Jeff became a rank and file member of the International Woodworkers of America in 1994 when he was hired as an operator at the Elko Sawmill in British Columbia. Jeff has served the United Steelworkers union in a full-time staff role since 2012.
ASHLEY HOFFMAN
Executive Director
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
Kentucky
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ASHLEY HOFFMANExecutive Director
Kentucky Association for Environmental Education
In addition to her current role, Ashley also serves as the Affiliate Chair for the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), as well as the part-time Executive Director of the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance (SEEA). This affiliate network represents the state, provincial and regional environmental education organizations of NAAEE.
Ashley is a Certified Professional Environmental Educator in Kentucky. She serves as the Kentucky State Coordinator for Project Learning Tree. She is also co-chair of the PLT Education Operating Committee, and she directly supports SFI’s work across our education pillar.
Ashley has also worked as a biologist for the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program, a partnership between The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
LENNARD JOE
Chair
Scw’exmx Tribal Council
British Columbia
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LENNARD JOEChair
Scw’exmx Tribal Council
Lennard brings over 28 years of forestry and business experience to his current roles. Scw’exmx Tribal Council is the advisory body for seven First Nation’s Indian Bands in British Columbia. He is a Registered Professional Forester, a member of the Nlaka’pamux First Nation, and represents the Shackan Indian Band as a Director.
Lennard provides leadership as SFI works to engage Indigenous communities. Nearly 40 Indigenous communities and their businesses have adopted, support, and actively use the SFI Forest Management Standard.
In 2011, Lennard became the General Manager of Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, a First Nations owned and operated forestry company that is an SFI-certified organization. Stuwix has received a Business Recognition Award from the Aboriginal Business Investment Council and Lennard also serves on the Board of the National Aboriginal Forestry Association.
Additional Resources:
Guest column: The future looks bright for sustainable forestry
PATRICIA LAYTON
Director
Wood Utilization + Design Institute, Clemson University
South Carolina
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PATRICIA LAYTONDirector
Wood Utilization + Design Institute, Clemson University
Pat’s experience includes developing new forestry and marketing initiatives. She plays a vital role in SFI’s development, particularly in the area of mass timber, a priority in SFI’s strategic direction.
Pat’s leadership has advanced innovative design solutions with wood-based construction materials and illustrated the critical role of sustainably managed forests in emerging markets like tall wood buildings.
In 2003 she was chosen to lead the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Prior to her current position, Pat served as Clemson’s Director of the School of Agricultural, Forest, and Environmental Sciences. Before joining Clemson University, she was a manager at Scott Paper Company.
Additional Resources:
Mass Timber: A Construction Revolution Rooted in Forests
ELLEN SHULTZABARGER
State Forester and Director
Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry
Pennsylvania
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ELLEN SHULTZABARGERState Forester and Director
Pennsylvania Burea of Forestry
Ellen was appointed to her position by Governor Tom Wolf in 2018, following 14 years in various positions with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry. She is responsible for oversight of 2.2 million acres of state forestlands, all of which are certified to the SFI Forest Management Standard.
During her tenure at the Bureau, Ellen has led highly visible projects that span all aspects of its work. Her current leadership role encompasses forest fire management across the commonwealth, forest insect and disease control and management, conservation of Pennsylvania’s native wild plants, and promoting the conservation of all Pennsylvania’s forestland—both public and private.
Prior to her current role, Ellen was the Bureau’s Chief of Conservation Science and Ecological Resources. Ellen served on SFI’s Education Operating Committee, the Project Learning Tree advisory group, from 2019 until accepting her current role on the SFI Board of Directors.
ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR
Board members representing the environmental sector, which includes non-profit environmental or conservation organizations:
KARLA GUYN (CHAIR)
Past CEO
Ducks Unlimited Canada
Manitoba
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KARLA GUYN [VICE-CHAIR] Past CEO
Ducks Unlimited Canada
During her 20-year career, Karla has established herself as a respected international conservation leader. Ducks Unlimited Canada is the country’s leading wetland conservation organization. It is powered by a grassroots conservation community made up of more than 130,000 people who are taking conservation action to support wetlands, wildlife, and people.
Karla firmly believes SFI and Ducks Unlimited have an opportunity like never before to foster positive change for wetlands, for forests, for wildlife, and for our communities. Ducks Unlimited Canada won the SFI President’s Award in 2014 for consistently showing leadership on behalf of wetlands that support millions of ducks, geese, and other wildlife.
Prior to becoming CEO, Karla served as the organization’s National Director of Conservation. To this day, nothing motivates her more than conserving the natural world.
Related articles:
Advancing conservation in Canada’s working forest
JAD DALEY
President and CEO
American Forests
Washington, DC
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JAD DALEYPresident and CEO
American Forests
Jad has played a leading role in authoring and enacting federal legislation to establish forest programs such as the U.S. Forest Service Community Forest Program. He is also a widely published writer on conservation topics and has an active presence on the online publishing platform Medium.
Jad has served on the SFI External Review Panel and the SFI Conservation Impact Sounding Board. The panel provides ongoing, independent review of SFI. SFI’s Conservation Impact project is quantifying the conservation benefits of SFI’s work.
He assumed his current role in 2018 after a year of leading the organization forward on issues like climate change and carbon storage in forest products. Between 2008 and 2017, Jad launched and developed the Climate Conservation Program at The Trust for Public Land and eventually served as Vice President for Program Development.
Additional resources:
Daley: Do forests mitigate the climate threat? Yes, particularly when we collaborate
The Importance of Forests in Mitigating Climate Change (video)
CATHERINE GRENIER
President and CEO
Nature Conservancy Canada
Ontario
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CATHERINE GRENIERPresident and CEO
Nature Conservancy Canada
As head of Canada’s leading national land conservation organization, Catherine oversees partnerships with individuals, corporations, foundations, Indigenous communities, non-profit organizations, and governments at all levels to protect the country’s most important natural treasures. The Nature Conservancy Canada is a longstanding SFI partner collaborating on numerous projects including conserving aquatic ecosystems, protecting bat populations, engaging youth in forest conservation, and supporting Project Learning Tree Canada’s Green Jobs for youth. Catherine also serves on SFI’s Education Operating Committee, the PLT advisory group.
An award-winning leader, Catherine has held executive positions with some of Canada’s foremost nature conservation organizations. Prior to joining NCC, Grenier served as Vice President for national park operations with Sépaq, the Quebec government agency that manages parks and wildlife reserves. Catherine mobilized the Sépaq team to generate an increase of more than 40% in visits to the province’s parks network. She has also held senior roles with Parks Canada. Among her achievements there, she led the process to create Canada’s first national urban park, in Toronto’s Rouge Valley.
Her passion for community building and conservation was recognized in 2016 with an Award of Excellence from the Canadian Parks Council and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.
DAN LAMBE
President
Arbor Day Foundation
Nebraska
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DAN LAMBEPresident
Arbor Day Foundation
Dan oversees the innovative programs and partnerships through which the Arbor Day Foundation strives to educate, recognize, and empower people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. Dan works with corporate and government leaders to use trees to help find positive solutions to sustainability, engagement, and marketing challenges.
Dan’s leadership is helping people understand how responsible forestry and tree-planting helps to address pollution, water quality, climate change, hunger, and poverty.
Dan joined the Arbor Day Foundation in 2005 and was named president in 2014. He has served as a member of the Vibrant Cities and Urban Forests Task Force and the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council. He currently serves on the SFI Educational Operating Committee and the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition Steering Committee.
MICHAEL PARR
President
American Bird Conservancy
Washington, D.C.
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MICHAEL PARRPresident
American Bird Conservancy
Mike has particular expertise in birds and bird conservation, with substantial field experience, including a special focus on the United States, and on the Andean region of South America. He is a widely published international wildlife conservationist with more than 25 years of experience in program development, fundraising, communications, and management.
ABC engages with several SFI-certified organizations, including landowners and manufacturers, and collaborates with SFI through our grants program and through the Bringing Back the Forest Birds initiative.
ABC brings recognition by brand owners, connections to SFI’s Conservation Impact work, and links to SFI’s environmental education work. In 2016, ABC won the SFI President’s Award for taking an ecosystem-based approach to bird conservation and for partnering with SFI and many others who care about birds.
