Features Features Women in Forestry
Next-gen leaders: Monika Patel

This year marks the 10th edition of CFI’s Top 10 Under 40 award, where we celebrate the bright young champions of our industry. We are very proud to present our industry’s top of the crop – the young leaders, innovators, change-makers, mentors who achieved so much at a young age, inspiring others, and giving back to their communities.

To acknowledge and highlight each winner’s contributions, CFI will feature one of 2022’s winners every week for the next 10 weeks.

This time, we introduce our readers to Monika Patel, director of programs and communications for Forest Stewardship Council in Toronto, Ont.

For almost 15 years, Monika has passionately advocated for a responsible approach to forestry and sustainable forest products. She provides strategic communications support on high-profile international projects and works to establish key strategic partnerships with major brands, retailers, and partners in Canada.

Monika works directly with FSC certificate holders, including brands, wood suppliers, and forest management companies to forge new relationships and explore ways to raise awareness for the work they do and the products they manufacture.

In 2021, the 38-year-old oversaw a full-scale international outreach campaign and a website launch to increase awareness for FSC and responsible forestry. The campaign reached almost 800,000 people in one week and featured an animated short film that won an award.

Monika is a collaborative leader, says colleague Elston Dzus. “Monika is creative and resourceful. She can always be counted on as a calming force even in the most rigorous debates.”

Next week we will showcase the achievements of winner Jake Power.