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Forestry’s rising stars: Meet Kim Lefebvre

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 Kim Lefebvre, integrated environmental services manager at Strategic Natural Resource Consultants in Port McNeil, B.C.

In 2016, Kim Lefebvre uprooted her family and moved to Vancouver Island to pursue a passion: Servicing the complex array of challenges inherent in applying ecosystem-based management in British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest.

Prior to the move to Port McNeill, B.C., Kim had established her career in the B.C. communities of Mackenzie and Campell River. She is a graduate of UBC’s Forest Resources Management program and obtained two executive education certificates from the university’s Sauder School of Business.

In Port McNeill, the 39-year-old has recruited and developed a team of foresters and biologists – growing it from two to 10 employees. They’re responsible for a diverse range of areas, including silviculture, forest planning, stewardship, ecosystem analysis and restoration. They also undertake biological assessments for wildlife.

She has been instrumental in attracting young forestry graduates from across Canada and around the world, including Germany, the United Kingdom and Brazil. As a mentor, she has fostered a culture of learning and development for her teams. This includes office-wide lunch-and-learn sessions focused on technical knowledge, safety, communication skills and leadership.

“In a sector that struggles with recruitment and retention at the best of times, particularly in rural and remote communities like Port McNeill, this is a remarkable accomplishment and a testament to her leadership,” says Jonathan Lok, managing director with Strategic Natural Resource Consultants.

Kim also has a passion for Indigenous rights. Her work towards reconciliation has been instrumental in establishing BlueGreen Environmental Planning Corp., a joint venture between her employer and the Quatsino First Nation. It is focused on increasing participation, occupational skills and economic return from the forest resources for Quatsino First Nation.

Up next: we showcase the achievements of winner Brett Erickson.

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