Features Features Women in Forestry
Spotlight on excellence: Laural Pedersen

In our 11th edition of the Top 20 Under 40 award, Canadian Forest Industries is shining a spotlight on the next-gen leaders who are making waves in our industry. These young champions are not just rising stars – they’re innovators, change-makers, mentors, and community builders. Over the next 20 weeks, we’ll introduce you to each of the 2023 winners.

Today, let’s get to know Laural Pedersen, business administration manager at Woodtone Specialites in Armstrong, B.C.

Laural joined Woodtone Specialties three years ago from outside the forest industry and has completely overhauled the accounting, administration, and human resources functions of the engineered wood products business.

With a focus on servant leadership, the 39-year-old has driven a progressive culture with a particular emphasis on women in the workplace, participating in Women in Forestry summits, among others. As a result, the company is now benefiting from an almost double the industry average percentage of women in its workforce in all capacities – from senior leadership, supervisors, admin roles, lead hands, technical operators, general labour, and cleanup.

Additionally, Laural has played a large role in Woodtone Specialties having entered a partnership with the Adams Lake Indian Band.  “This partnership will not only benefit the business but more importantly represents meaningful reconciliation and is a model for what the forest industry in British Columbia could and should look like,” Woodtone Specialties president Hal Hanlon says.

“In three short years, Laural has made a significant impact on the business at the most meaningful level – the people – and she has become core to a culture that will ensure continued growth and success.”

Next week we will showcase the achievements of winner Nick Price.