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Forestry’s rising stars: Meet Christine Leduc

The future for Canada’s forestry sector is bright, judging by this year’s winners of CFI‘s Top 10 Under 40 competition. We scoured nominations from across the country in all sectors, including logging, sawmilling, equipment and technology suppliers and associated industries.

To acknowledge and highlight each winner’s contributions, CFI will feature one of 2020’s winners every week for the next nine weeks.*

This week, we introduce our readers to Christine Leduc, planning and certification co-ordinator for EACOM Timber Corporation in Val D’Or, Que.

Christine Leduc, who holds a master’s degree in forest conservation from the University of Toronto, has already had a decorated career.

In 2015, she was recognized by the Canadian Institute of Forestry with the Prince of Wales Award. That same year, she was given the Fernow Award from the Ontario Professional Foresters Association.

Before joining EACOM, Leduc worked as a policy advisor for the Office of the Ontario Minister of Natural Resources. She also had a stint as director of policy and communications for the Ontario Forest Industries Association. And, in addition to her current day job at EACOM, she is also the company’s Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) lead – a position she is very passionate about.

“Christine embodies the next generation of the Canadian forester,” says Johanne Latour, one of Christine’s colleagues at EACOM. “Knowledgeable, passionate, deeply involved, and always eager to hitch a ride in a feller buncher, she obliterates gender stereotypes and preconceived notions.

“She is extremely well-known throughout the industry and has built an extensive network of contacts. Through her contagious energy and enthusiasm and her ceaseless work, she has been changing the face of forestry in Canada to a modern, approachable industry full of potential.”

Leduc, 32, also spends a lot of time outside the office volunteering in the industry. She mentors new and upcoming entrants to the forest sector through Project Learning Tree Canada’s Green Mentor Program; sits on the board of directors for Forests Ontario; and has participated in Women for Nature since 2017. She has also been instrumental in the Women in Wood network, offering support and encouragement to women entering the field.

“She is extremely hard working, intelligent, tough and innovative,” says Lacey Rose, one of her peers and co-founder of Women in Wood. “The perspective she brings by looking at or approaching things in a way that’s outside the box has had a positive influence on everyone around her.”

Up next: we showcase the achievements of winner Derek Broome.

*Editor’s note: At the request of one of this year’s winners, CFI will not be posting their individual profile.