FSC Canada has two new team members – Jeff Welch, market development manager, and Satnam Manhas, senior manager of Indigenous capacity support Canada.
Jeff Welch joined FSC Canada on Nov 1. He has lived and worked in the Vancouver area throughout his career and brings with him a diverse and extensive sales and management background from his work in a variety of industries. With forest products being a main theme throughout his career, he is looking forward to the opportunity to work with the various industries, businesses and stakeholders to help FSC Canada continue in its quest to build mutually beneficial partnerships to further the responsible and sustainable utilization of our forest resources in Canada.
Welch will be assuming the role previously held by Andrew Tremblay, who will be retiring at the end of the year.
Raised in the Tsimshian territories along the lower Skeena River in British Columbia, Satnam Manhas brings over 30 years of experience as a registered professional forester (RPF) in B.C., with a focus on culturally appropriate economic development and stewardship for Indigenous communities nationwide.
Having departed Ecotrust Canada in 2019, where he served as the director of forest and ecosystem services, Manhas oversaw the organization’s FSC initiatives in western Canada and spearheaded a groundbreaking carbon project in partnership with the Lil’wat, Squamish Nations, and the Resort Municipality of Whistler. With a degree in natural resource management and a minor in environmental planning, coupled with a forest technologist diploma, his expertise will be pivotal in implementing FSC Canada’s Indigenous Strategy.
In this new role, Manhas will play a crucial part in demonstrating the benefits of FSC certification to Indigenous Peoples and provide essential support to key First Nation certificate holders and other organizations interested in pursuing FSC certification in Western Canada. He will also work with FSC Canada’s Indigenous Chamber to strengthen Indigenous-led efforts within FSC.
Manhas has assumed this role on an interim basis as the Indigenous Foundation conducts a search for a long-term candidate.
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