2023 SPEAKERS
Check back often as more speakers are confirmed!
Kathy Abusow
President and CEO
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Kathy Abusow
Kathy Abusow is President and CEO of SFI Inc., a sustainability leader that stands for future forests. She has held this role since 2007, when Sustainable Forestry Initiative® became a fully independent, non-profit organization. Since joining SFI, Kathy has greatly expanded SFI’s network to include the forest sector, brand owners, conservation groups, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous peoples, governments, and universities.
Bill Adams
Vice President, Sustainability and Innovation
Mercer International
Bill Adams
Bill Adams, Vice President, Sustainability & Innovation joined Mercer in 2019. Bill is responsible for leading Mercer’s integrated sustainability strategy for their global operations. Bill has worked in a wide range of leadership roles in both Canada and the United States over the past 35 years, with his roles focused on engineering, manufacturing excellence, ESG strategy and corporate development. These roles took place with Weyerhaeuser and Domtar before joining Canfor in 2014 where Bill served as the Sr. Director, Sustainability, Strategy & Innovation based in Vancouver.
Bill Adams is a Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s Degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, and an MBA in International Management from APIU. In 2020, Bill was the recipient of the UBC Dean’s Medal of Distinction in the Faculty of Applied Science. Bill has been a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia since 1987 and currently serves on the board of FPInnovations.
Dr. JJ Apodaca
Lead Scientist and Founder, Tangled Bank Conservation;
Executive Director, Amphibian and Reptile Conservation
Dr. JJ Apodaca
Jose Arias-Bustamante
Policy Analyst, Indigenous Science Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada
Jose Arias-Bustamante
Michael Berger
Secretary General/CEO
PEFC International
Michael Berger
Dr. Michael Berger has over twenty years of experience in environmental and quality management, sustainable supply chain development, and management systems. After his studies in Economics and PhD in Forestry, he worked as a management consultant in different sectors, before serving as a Technical Expert for accreditation bodies and at a leading sustainability consultancy in Germany. Michael was also a lecturer in Corporate Social Responsibility at the School for Forestry and Sustainable Resource Management at the Technical University Munich in Weihenstephan.
Jeff Bromley
Chair, United Steelworkers Wood Council,
and SFI Board Member
Jeff Bromley
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.
Eduardo Rojas Briales
Chair
PEFC International
Eduardo Rojas Briales
Eduardo is presently Chairman of the Spanish Board of Foresters and coordinator of the Forest Platform of Spain (Juntos por los Bosques). He was previously Assistant Director-General and Head of the Forestry Department at FAO and Chair of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests.
Amongst his former duties, he acted as Director of the Catalan Forest Owner Association, as head of the forest policy area of the Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia and as Vice-Dean of the Life Science Faculty of the Polytechnic University of Valencia where he is presently professor in forestry. While at FAO, he was UN Commissioner General for Expo Milan in 2015 and Co-Chair of UNREDD.
Eduardo holds an MSc in Forestry from the University of Freiburg and PhD from the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
Gary Bull
Professor, Department of Forest Resources Management, University of British Columbia
Gary Bull
Gary has spent most of his early career working in a consultative capacity with forest products companies, resource based communities, various government agencies and environmental non-governmental organizations. Internationally, he has worked with organizations such as the Climate and Land Use Alliance, the International Institute of Applied Systems Analysis in Vienna, the International Institute for Environment and Development in London, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Rome, the Sustainable Biomass Partnership, and the US Council on Foreign Relations in Washington. He has supervised research projects with CIFOR, World Bank, Shell Canada,Wildlife Conservation Society, WWF, Iisaak Forest Resources Ltd., Forest Trends and FAO.
Gary has a background in commerce as well as three degrees in Forestry, specializing in economics and policy. He has an interest in global forestry policy issues and has, or is, currently studying forest and timber markets in Asia and ecosystem services markets in Afghanistan, Canada, China, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Nicaragua and Uganda. In Canada he has focused his efforts on working on sustainable business development with First Nations communities. He is an advocate for interdisciplinary research.
Cassidy Caron
President
Métis National Council
Cassidy Caron
Cassidy Caron is a Métis woman with roots in the historic Métis communities of Batoche and St. Louis, Saskatchewan. She grew up closely connected to her Métis traditions, heritage and culture and is driven by her family and community values of respect, honesty, and responsibility.
Cassidy has previously served for four years as a provincially elected representative of the Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC,) as the Provincial Métis Youth Chair and MNBCs Minister Responsible for Youth. Through her role, she supported the coordination, design, resourcing, implementation and evaluation of innovative, culturally-grounded engagement and leadership development opportunities for Métis youth within all levels of MNBC’s governance. Cassidy has gained valuable experience as an advocate for the Métis people by working closely with cabinet ministers, senior officials, and ministerial special representatives to negotiate and design Métis youth-specific funding provisions and policy considerations at the provincial and national levels.
An ambitious and driven young woman, Cassidy brings with her years of professional research and program evaluation experience working with an award winning, all-Indigenous research and program evaluation firm. Her work as a consultant focused on researching and evaluating programs and initiatives implemented in, by and for Indigenous communities throughout Canada in areas such as Indigenous justice and crime prevention, women’s safety and wellness, education, cultural safety, Indigenous health and health promotion, reconciliation, youth programming, mental health, addictions and wellness, economic development, food security and Indigenous governance.
Chief Lorraine Cobiness
Niisaachewan Anishinaabe First Nation, and President, Miitigoog Forest Management
Chief Lorraine Cobiness
Angela Davis
President, Campbell Global
Angela Davis
Angie is President of Campbell Global. Her responsibilities include implementing comprehensive client service plans for existing and future clients and the execution of Campbell Global’s growth strategy. She was a member of Campbell Global’s Board of Managers until acquisition of the firm by J.P. Morgan Asset Management in 2021 and currently serves on the Allocation Group and Investment Committee. She also is a member of the Board of Directors for OneFortyOne Plantations and chair of the OneFortyOne Audit Committee.
Prior to joining Campbell Global, Angie was Vice President, Consultant for State Street Bank in the Performance and Analytics Division. She also served as the Assistant Director of Investments with the Oregon State Treasury. As the Assistant Director of Investments, Angie was responsible for the productive and prudent investment of all State of Oregon funds including Oregon PERS. She began her career with KPMG Peat Marwick in the audit group.
Angie holds a B.A. in accounting from Linfield College.
Michael P. Doss
President and CEO
Graphic Packaging International Inc., and
Chair, SFI Board of Directors
Michael P. Doss
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 $8.1 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 33-year career with Graphic Packaging. He also serves on the board of directors for several associations and charities.
Aaron Evans
Resource Technical Forester, Rayonier
Aaron Evans
Being in love with the outdoors at a young age, Aaron Evans has always found himself amazed by nature. Aaron has a BS in Environmental Science and a Masters in Natural Resources. He is currently a Resource Technical Forester working for Rayonier as well as upholding his duties of the Army National Guard. Aaron enjoys the immersive experience being outdoors has given him as well as helping others find their passion for the living world.
Dr. Tracy Farrell
Director
IUCN North America
and SFI Board Member
Dr. Tracy Farrell
Tracy has more than 20 years of experience leading global conservation and sustainable development programs and projects. She believes it takes a village of partners to broaden how the private and public sectors work together to find the best long-term sustainability solutions.
At the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) North American program, she leads policy development and member engagement work in the US and Canada, fundraising and implementing new regional initiatives. Tracy’s role at IUCN allows her to focus on large landscape management and nature-based solutions, including incentivizing and unlocking financing for these solutions.
Her career also includes years of work designing and managing sustainable forested areas. Prior to her role at IUCN, Tracy spent 16 years working for Conservation International.
Hilary Franz
Commissioner of Public Lands
Washington State Department of Natural Resources
Hilary Franz
Angela Graham-Brown
Director, Forest Solutions Group
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
Angela Graham-Brown
Angela has worked with the members of WBCSD’s Forest Solutions Group for over 5 years to drive sustainability in the forest sector.
As part of this role she coordinated and co-authored several publications on topics ranging from net-zero strategies, SDG impact and metrics, the circular bioeconomy, social and environmental impact measurement. Prior to her time at WBCSD she worked as a strategy consultant where she gained her first experience in the forest sector on a large-scale forestry project in China.
She has also worked for the World Economic Forum and in strategic communications consulting. She holds a BA in International Relations and an MA in International Business.
Catherine Grenier
President and CEO
Nature Conservancy Canada
and SFI Board Member
Catherine Grenier
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.
Erik Holmstrom
Vice President, Miitigoog Forest Management; Ontario Timberlands Manager, Weyerhaeuser/p>
Erik Holmstrom
Lennard Joe
Chief Executive Officer, BC First Nations Forestry Council
Member of the Shackan Indian Band with Nlaka’pamux First Nation
and SFI Board Member
Lennard Joe
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.
Katy Kavanagh
Associate Dean of Research and Professor, College of Forestry, Oregon State University, and current President, National Association of University Forest Resource Programs (NAUFRP)
Katy Kavanagh
Dr. Werner Kurz
Senior Research Scientist, Natural Resources Canada
Dr. Werner Kurz
Dr. Werner Kurz is a Senior Research Scientist at the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada) in Victoria, BC. He leads the development of Canada’s National Forest Carbon Monitoring, Accounting and Reporting System and the Wildfire and Carbon Project of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions. His research focuses on carbon dynamics in forests and harvested wood products and the opportunities of the forest sector to contribute to climate change mitigation. Dr. Kurz co-authored eight reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and published over 150 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He serves as adjunct professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and at Simon Fraser University. He obtained his PhD in Forest Ecology from UBC and an honorary doctorate from the Swedish Land University. He is an International Fellow of the Royal Swedish Academy of Agriculture and Forestry.
Jason Mogilefsky
Certification Manager, Spray Lake Sawmill
Jason Mogilefsky
Jason is the Forestry Manager at Spay Lake Sawmills and has been on the BRBC Board since 2013. He is a professional forester who has been working in the forest industry since 1987. Jason graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Resource Management from the University of Montana in 1994. Spray Lake Sawmills has been operating in the Bow Basin since 1953.
Tanis One Spot
Executive Director-Lands Portfolio, Tsuut’ina Nation
Tanis One Spot
Born and raised on the beautiful Tsuut’ina Nation, Tanis One Spot has always had a deep connection with the land. Tanis started her career; split between working for the Office of the Peacemaker , and the Finance department. After a number of years, an incident with an oil and gas company on her Nation made her question Indigenous rights and protection of culturally and environmentally sensitive areas that lead her enroll at SAIT in various fields. Tanis excelled at her studies; and soon was the first student from the program accepted to work at ConocoPhillips Canada. Tanis worked in the surface land department, well abandonment and reclamation fields as well as establishing the first Aboriginal Network group that brought Indigenous awareness and training to its employees. After just under seven years, Tanis returned home to Tsuut’ina and worked in various positions within public works before becoming the Executive Director for the Lands portfolio. Tanis continues her passion to work with her Community and Elders to develop Policies for Land use, Water and Conservation.
Ron Palmer
First Nations Lead — Kootenay Operations
Interfor
Ron Palmer
Ron is the First Nation Lead for Interfor’s Kootenay operations and lives in Castlegar. He is a professional forester and has been working in the industry since 1990.
Ron’s background is mainly in forest planning, and now enjoys the required field time associated with being the First Nation Lead.
Caitlyn Pollihan
CEO and Executive Director
International Society of Arboriculture
Caitlyn Pollihan
Caitlyn Pollihan serves as CEO and Executive Director for the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA). She began her role as Executive Director in 2017, with the Board adding the CEO title in 2020 to better reflect Caitlyn’s leadership responsibilities. During her tenure Caitlyn has successfully led the organization’s relocation to Atlanta, GA US, initiated the modernization of ISA systems and operations, and has increased the global connectivity and accessibility of the association.
The Honourable Bruce Ralston
M.L.A., Minister of Forests, Government of British Columbia
Minister Bruce Ralston
Bruce Ralston was sworn in as B.C.’s Minister of Forests and Minister Responsible for the Consular Corps on Dec. 7, 2022. His appointment follows his previous cabinet appointments, serving as Minister for Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation following his role as Minister of Jobs, Trade and Technology. He was first elected as an MLA for Surrey-Whalley in 2005 and was re-elected in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2020.
Ralston’s current focus is on revitalization of the forest sector, where First Nations are partners in forest management, and increased value is realized through expanded diversification in manufacturing. His priorities also include the sustainable management and conservation of B.C.’s old growth forests in the face of climate change and other pressures, while ensuring a competitive and sustainable future for communities, Indigenous Peoples, workers and companies.
Ralston was born in Victoria and grew up in Vancouver. He has degrees in law from the University of British Columbia and a degree in history from the University of Cambridge in England.
Joanne Ranson
Manager of Strategic Accommodation and Reconciliation, BC Ministry of Forests
Joanne Ranson
Joanne is a Registered Professional Forester and brings a strong knowledge of tenure administration and forestry legislation to her role as Manager Strategic Accommodation and Reconciliation with the Ministry of Forests. In her role she and her staff are accountable for overseeing IRB’s FCRSA and FTOA programs, and they will continue to maintain strong Regional connections to administer and refine these agreements to achieve government’s strategic reconciliation objectives. Through her previous position as a Timber Tenure Specialist in North Area, Joanne became a specialist in First Nation direct award tenure policy and brings forward a strong background in negotiating strategic accommodations to this work. Joanne is excited to support the complex and challenging forestry reconciliation work that lies ahead for our ministry.
Joanne lives on the territory of the Lheidli T’enneh in Prince George, BC, and outside of the office, she can most often be found chasing her family down one of the trail systems that surround PG, on a mountain bike, xc skis or preferably with a pair of running shoes on
Scott Robertson
Senior Associate, Nahwegahbow Corbiere LLP, Aboriginal Rights Lawyer
Member of the Six Nations of the Grand River
Scott Robertson
Scott Robertson is a senior associate at Nahwegahbow Corbiere LLP where he regularly advises clients on Aboriginal, Treaty rights and title issues as well as tax and business structures. Scott has extensive experience advising clients on the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate Aboriginal peoples.
He has successfully represented clients at the Supreme Court, Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Ontario Court of Appeal, Ontario Energy Board, National Energy Board, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Ontario Lands Tribunal, and the Human Rights Tribunal.
Regional Chief Terry Teegee
British Columbia Assembly of First Nations
Regional Chief Terry Teegee
Terry Teegee, is the elected Regional Chief of the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations and proudly serving his second term in this position. Terry’s ancestry is Dakelh, Gitxsan and Sekani descent and is a member of Takla Nation. As a former Registered Professional Forester, Terry was responsible for looking after the forests, forest lands and forest resources. Terry is deeply involved in natural resources development and the pertaining policies. As Regional Chief, he was an instrumental voice in the development and historic passing of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA).
Terry’s strong leadership, both provincially and nationally, was vital on the following portfolios and issues:
- AFN Chair on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation Committee
- Co-Chair of the AFN National Fisheries Committee
- Co-Lead on the AFN Justice and Policing Portfolio
- Co-Chair for the Champions Table with BC Business Council
- Tripartite Working Group (TWG) member to implement Bill C-92, Indigenous Child Welfare Jurisdiction Bill to implement the Commitment Document Provincially
- AFN Representative on the UN Convention of Biodiversity
- Member of the BC First Nation Gaming Commission
Terry is known for his caring and collaborative leadership. He worked to unify and support people working together towards the recognition of our inherent rights and Title, Treaty Rights and Human Rights as Indigenous Peoples.
Previous to become the Regional Chief, Terry was the elected Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) from 2012-2017 and CSTC Vice Tribal Chief from 2009-2012. Previous to his political aspirations, Terry held forestry and natural resources roles with the CSTC and Takla Nation. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Natural Resources Management (Forestry) and also a Natural Resources Technology Diploma.
Terry and his wife Rena Zatorski have been married for 20 years and have two children, Rylie and Rowan. They reside on Lheidli T’enneh Shelley Reserve, 22 kms up the Fraser River from Prince George.
Lindsay Tighe
General Manager
Stuwix Resources Joint Venture
Lindsay Tighe
Lindsay offers 20 years of forestry experience in his new role as the General Manager at Stuwix Resources Joint Venture. He is a member & currently a Councillor of the Shackan Indian Band.
Lindsay’s career started with Stuwix in 2005 as a harvesting supervisor, and in 2010 he went into the contracting world where he worked as logging supervisor. In Jan 2022 he was successful in becoming the General Manger for Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, which is owned and operated by 8 First Nations bands in the Interior of B.C. Returning to Stuwix has allowed Lindsay and his team at Stuwix to implement a needed change.
Stuwix Resources’ model has changed from being a timber centric business to a holistic land stewardship model (putting the land before economics). This transformation is community driven. Stuwix’s new success comes from the inclusion of the First Nations communities guided principles mixed with western science.
As an SFI Certified organization Stuwix ensures the community values and principles are front and center. Lindsay feels with the community values incorporated with SFI, Stuwix will be able to provide input into the new way of Sustainable Forest Management. For our communities this brings sustainable land stewardship and it’s no longer just about trees.
There is no greater reward than working for your people and have them take you on a journey that illustrates holistic forest management while still being economically viable.
Lindsay thanks his team at Stuwix and the member communities for the opportunity to incorporate first nation values and principles in a changing forest industry.
David Walkem
Sr. Manager, Strategic Partnerships, Invasive Species Council of BC
Member of the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, of the Nlaka’pamux Nation
David Walkem
David Walkem was a Councillor of the Cooks Ferry Indian Band from 2018 – 2022 and served as Chief from 1990 to 2018. He has an MBA (1984) from University of Western Ontario and an BScForestry (1980) from UBC. Prior to being elected as Chief he worked for the federal government in native economic development, with the TD Bank as an assistant Branch Manager, and for the BC Ministry of Forests in Forest Research. Currently he is on the corporate Boards of Esh-kn-am Investments Joint Venture, Swl’eps Limited Partnership, Stuwix Resources Joint Venture, and the Community of Interest Panel for the Mining Association of Canada. He is a Registered Professional Forester (now Retired), the first registered Status Indian in BC to achieve that designation. In 2001 he was the recipient of the ‘Forester of the Year’ award from the Association of BC Professional Foresters, and in 2007 he received an award from the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards Foundation for his achievements in the Environment and Forestry. He lives in Spences Bridge, BC and is a proud Father, Grandfather and Great-Grandfather.
For community volunteer Boards he currently serves as Secretary on the First United Community Church Ministry Society in the downtown east side of Vancouver, and on the Canadian Council on Invasive Species. He served as President and Treasurer on the Board of the Native Education Centre in Vancouver from 1990 – 2007. He was a founding Director and Co-Chair of the Stl’atl’imx / Nlaka’pamux Legal Services Society providing legal aid to aboriginal communities in the Lytton and Lillooet areas, until it was closed.
Sam Wallace
Analyst and Sector Lead, International Standards Sustainability Board
Sam Wallace
Sam Wallace is part of the technical staff at the International Sustainability Standards Board. He engages with companies, investors and experts to develop and drive the adoption of standards for reporting sustainability-related information to capital markets.
Sam was an analyst at the Value Reporting Foundation (VRF), which was consolidated into the IFRS Foundation in August 2022, where he was the research lead for the Technology & Communications sector of the SASB Standards. Previously, Sam worked in policy and communications for Microsoft’s newly launched UN Affairs team, and at an agency leading communications and marketing programs for early-stage technology startups. Sam holds an MBA from NYU Stern and a BA from Williams College.
SFI Staff Moderators
Lauren Cooper
Chief Conservation Officer
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Lauren Cooper
Lauren heads the SFI Conservation Pillar, providing conservation leadership internally as well as externally to our network of resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. She will develop best management practices for climate-smart forestry and fire resiliency and awareness, lead SFI participation in collaborative efforts to conserve forested landscapes and integrate Indigenous knowledge into SFI conservation programs. Lauren currently leads the Forest Carbon and Climate Program at Michigan State University, and she has international experience working with Indigenous communities in Peru, Mexico, Ecuador, and the United States. Lauren has served as a convener, moderator, and facilitator in high-level climate events, engaged in numerous climate working groups and has developed climate curriculum, educational materials, and plans. She currently serves as a steering committee member with the Women’s Forest Congress and on the Forest-Climate Working Group. Lauren is passionate about building new relationships at the intersection of sustainability, forests, society, and climate.
Dr. Healy Hamilton
Chief Scientist
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Dr. Healy Hamilton
Dr. Healy Hamilton works collaboratively and strategically across SFI’s conservation pillar to support scaling conservation impact. Healy’s scientific work will further the role of sustainable forest management in species recovery, climate-smart forestry, and conservation outcomes. Healy will also serve as SFI’s conservation science liaison with the wider conservation and scientific community. She will support the SFI standards pillar on customer engagement related to conservation science and the SFI education pillar on engaging Project Learning Tree audiences. Healy currently serves as Chief Scientist for NatureServe, and she is an elected member of the Executive Committee for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature U.S. National Committee. Healy’s impressive track record of leading high-profile and impactful research projects includes developing the most comprehensive and detailed map of species extinction risk, in collaboration with the Environmental Systems Research Institute and The Nature Conservancy. Healy holds a PhD from the Department of Integrative Biology and Museum of Paleontology, at the University of California at Berkeley, and an MA in Environmental Studies from Yale University’s School of the Environment. She channels her passion for the outdoors into hiking, cycling, and scuba diving.
Paul Johnson
Senior Director of Urban and Community Forestry
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Paul Johnson
Paul leads SFI’s efforts to enhance the sustainability of urban forestry through the SFI Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard. He is an International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Board Certified Master Arborist, Municipal Specialist, and is Tree Risk Assessment, Texas Oak Wilt, and Wildfire Risk Reduction Qualified. He is also a Society of American Foresters Certified Forester. Paul has been recognized as a True Professional of Arboriculture by ISA and received the Leah MacSwords Current Achievement Award for Communications from NASF. He is Past President of the ISA Board of Directors and he graduated from Oklahoma State University with a degree in Forestry. He has been a state urban and community forestry program leader, radio talk show host, newspaper columnist, university extension horticulturist, university adjunct instructor, and plant healthcare specialist. Paul believes that #TreesAreKey to healthier, happier, safer communities.
Paul Robitaille
Senior Advisor, Indigenous Relations
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Paul Robitaille
Paul plays a central role in SFI’s partnerships with Indigenous communities. He is a citizen of the Métis Nation, with roots in the historic Drummond Island Métis community, and has a wealth of experience in supporting Indigenous rights recognition, relationship building and socioeconomic development. Paul’s work also has a specific focus on understanding the unique realities faced by First Nation, Métis and Inuit youth. As both a professional and an elected community official, Paul has worked to build greater understanding and collaboration between Indigenous communities across Canada and the industry actors operating within their territories. Paul holds a Master of Science in Forestry from Lakehead University and a Forest Technician Diploma and Certificate in Aboriginal‑Canadian Relations from Confederation College. Paul is a recipient of the Governor General’s Academic Medal and the J. Michael Waldram Memorial Fellowship, recognizing his work as an emerging young Indigenous leader in the natural resources field.
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