Features Features Women in Forestry
Next-gen leaders: Shelley Stewart

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 Shelley Stewart, owner of Bar S Ventures in Merritt, B.C.

In 2004 and at 19 years of age, Shelley signed her name to a “new-to-her” Western Star log truck to fulfill her childhood dream. Now at 38, Shelley’s single log truck business venture has evolved to a full-fledged conventional log harvesting operation, employing more than 30 full-time workers and contractors, providing harvesting, hauling, road building, low-bedding, and dump truck services.

Over the years, Shelley has been recognized by her peers and various organizations for her business excellence and has become a trail blazer in the forest industry, leading and lighting the way for women and young entrepreneurs, and mentoring fellow business owners.

“Shelley takes a lot of pride in providing sustainable employment for her team and recognizes the impact and benefits that the local community receives because of her continued efforts,” says husband and employee Rob Stewart. “She cares deeply for her crew, their families and well-being, the forest industry, and will continue to be a trendsetter, stand out, and rise to the occasion.”

Her future goals include being part of an organization committed to helping contractors better understand the logging rates, negotiations, and their overall financial review.

“She likes to say she drives the train, so get onboard or stay the hell off her track!”