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Forestry’s future leaders: meet Melinda Morben

As more forest industry professionals reach retirement, it’s more important than ever that we highlight the next generation of leaders. CFI’s annual Top 10 Under 40 contest is our way of doing so. This year marks the ninth consecutive year we have scoured nominations from across Canada to find individuals who exemplify the best of our sector, from outstanding log haulers to sawmillers, foresters and others. The result is a list of high-performing professionals who are poised to lead the industry.

To acknowledge and highlight each winner’s contributions, CFI will feature one of 2021’s winners every week for the next 10 weeks.

This week, we introduce our readers to Melinda Morben, senior manager of logistics for Mosaic Forest Management, based in Nanaimo, B.C.

Morben’s forestry career started when she was 18 years old, logging in the Interior of B.C. where she ran a processor for three years. She later earned a Forest Resource Technology Diploma from the College of New Caledonia and a Bachelor’s of Science in Forestry at the University of British Columbia, along with a Registered Professional Forester (RFP) designation.

Melinda then made the move to Mosaic Forest Management, where she has been for more than 10 years, working her way up from quality control supervisor to senior manager, logistics. Now, the 37-year-old leads Mosaic’s logistics department to manage the land-based supply chain and implement centralized dispatch for a fleet of more than 250 trucks, six dryland sorts, two export terminals and the vessel, barge, and container loading operations.

She has also designed and implemented supply chain technology, and customized system development for centralized trucking dispatch and electronic load description slips for 250-300 trucks. On top of that, Melinda has been instrumental in driving a partnership to implement electric log truck trials on Vancouver Island, says Domenico Iannidinardo, Melinda’s manager.

A board member of Canadian Women in Timber and the Log Truck Technical Advisory Committee, Melinda “is a trailblazer for women in the forestry industry, taking every opportunity to voice the need for inclusivity and diversity and inspiring young women to pursue a career in forestry,” says Iannidinardo.

Up next: we showcase the achievements of winner Melissa Harborne.