Virtual Event
Women in Forestry 2024
March 8, 2024 at 11:00am EST

Diversifying forestry’s workforce is a pressing business issue for companies of all sizes across Canada. Encouraging women and people of all backgrounds to consider a career in the forest industry will mean big changes to how companies recruit, train, and retain their employees.

Canadian Forest Industries, Pulp & Paper Canada, Canadian Biomass and Opérations Forestières et de Scierie are once again hosting a digital day of discussion around gender and diversity in the forest sector.

Join us March 8 as we welcome back hundreds of forestry changemakers – women and men who are looking for inspiration and advice on fostering inclusion in our industry and reaping all the innovation that comes from it.

This year’s summit will again be truly national, with speakers from across Canada and French-English simultaneous interpretation available for all presentations.

This event concluded on March 8, 2024

Schedule

On DEMAND VIDEO
Diversity in the Canadian forest sector: Trends, actions, and results

Speakers:

Kristen Vitullo, Policy Analyst, Canadian Forest Service
Marisa Meaker-Williamson, Senior Policy Analyst, Canadian Forest Service

Get ready for a presentation on changes and policies to improve diversity in Canada's forest sector workforce! Join Kristen Vitullo and Marisa Meaker-Williamson, policy analysts at the Canadian Forest Service. Using updated data from the 2021 Census, they'll describe trends in workforce diversity. Don't miss out on this insightful exploration of how Natural Resources Canada is helping improve representation in the forest sector with targeted program measures and strategic partnerships. They'll share the exciting progress made so far.

On DEMAND VIDEO
Panel: Branching out: Cultivating change in the forest sector

Moderator: Scot Durward, Director, Operations and Woodlands HR, Tolko
Panelists:

Sithara Fernando, Academic Program Manager, NorQuest College
Marla Guldbransen, Manager, Falling Programs, BC Forest Safety Council
Kimberly Somerville, Planer Superintendent, West Fraser

Be part of an intriguing panel discussion curated by the Forest Sector Equity Diversity Inclusion Alliance (FSEDIA). Embracing the theme of #InspireInclusion, "Branching Out" unites vibrant voices across the forest sector – BIPOC, new entrants, industry leaders, and allies. Together, they'll delve into the hurdles, victories, and transformative initiatives in nurturing diversity, equity, and inclusion. This panel assures an inspiring and enlightening journey through the landscape of diversity and inclusion in the forest sector, offering actionable insights for professionals at every career stage.

Don't miss this opportunity to be part of a conversation that sparks change!

Indigenous inclusion, leadership and values in forestry

Moderator: Haleigh Callison, Takoda Consulting
Speakers:

Diane Collins, General Manager, Kitsumkalum Economic Development Group of Companies
Dana Collins, Manager of Partnerships, Mosaic Forest Management

Come join us for a fireside chat delving into Indigenous inclusion, leadership, and values in forestry. Gain valuable insights as speakers share their experiences, perspectives, and lessons learned on Indigenous participation in the forest economy, all while contributing to the journey of reconciliation.

On DEMAND VIDEO
Mentorship and workforce development in the forest and conservation sector

Speakers:

Kathy Abusow, President and CEO, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Project Learning Tree (PLT) Canada
Catherine Langille, Indigenous Relations Coordinator, Sustainable Forestry Initiative and PLT Canada

You would not want to miss this insightful session where we'll address the persistent gender gap in Canada's forest sector. Despite some progress, women remain vastly underrepresented, comprising only 17 per cent of the workforce. Kathy will delve into the power of mentorship and wraparound career support systems in paving the way for young women to succeed in forestry. Catherine will share her journey from mentee to mentor in PLT Canada's Green Mentor program, shedding light on its transformative impact.

On DEMAND VIDEO
Panel: Q&A: Ask the boss

Panel: Q&A: Ask the boss
Moderator: Haleigh Callison, Takoda Consulting
Panelists:

Shabnam Sanaei, Director of Bio-Innovation and Technology, Canfor
Shahed Tootoonian, VP of Corporate Development, Mercer International
Kristin Dangelmaier, Environment and Technical Manager, Kruger

Your feedback mattered, and we've heard you! Based on last year's summit survey, many of you expressed a desire to navigate conversations with your bosses on sensitive topics. We've gathered leaders from various levels – from the floor, HR, and the C-suite – ready to address your burning questions. Send in your queries in advance via email to jellson@annexbusinessmedia.com or drop them into the question box on our event registration page. Let's tackle those crucial conversations together!

On DEMAND VIDEO
Uniting leadership on inclusion at FSC in North America

Speaker:

Kelly Cooper, Founder and President, Centre for Social Intelligence

It’s no secret that retaining women in the forest sector is a challenge. FSC International has created a gender and diversity framework for all regional offices to help address this issue. FSC North America is now putting this framework into action by uniting its membership to shift the workplace culture to be more welcoming to women and all other underrepresented groups. Come join us to learn more!