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Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) was pleased to present its 2024 Awards of Excellence at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa yesterday, where Paper Excellence’s Lana Wilhelm and Louisiana-Pacific’s Sarah Curtis were named the recipients of the 2024 Women in Forestry Award.
The Women in Forestry Award, presented in collaboration with Silvacom, recognizes leaders who have made significant impacts in the forest sector championing workplace diversity and inclusion.
"Lana Wilhelm and Sarah Curtis exemplify the leadership and dedication that this award is designed to honour," said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor, "Their work in fostering sustainable practices and advancing inclusivity within our industry is inspiring. Both Lana and Sarah have not only contributed to the advancement of forestry’s economic and environmental goals – but have also been pivotal in shaping the future of our sector through their commitment to diversity and responsible stewardship," Nighbor added.
Lana Wilhelm has spent over 20 years in forestry, with roles that have spanned entrepreneurial business, research, government, industry, and First Nations organizations. Since joining Paper Excellence in 2019, Lana has built an Indigenous relations program from the ground up, leading to sustainable and meaningful engagement between Indigenous, corporate, and government agencies. Her work in uniting community and forestry interests, particularly in building bridges between diverse perspectives, has been a cornerstone of her career.
"I’m honoured to be recognized as one of FPAC’s 2024 Women in Forestry Award of Excellence recipients," said Wilhelm. "Successfully building a best practices Indigenous engagement program at Paper Excellence Canada has been truly meaningful work. I’m proud that our program includes a leadership vision and enabling policies that drive both corporate and operational giving programs. I thank my colleagues for nominating me and FPAC for choosing to recognize my work with this award," Wilhelm added.
Sarah Curtis is a Registered Professional Forester with a strong commitment to the responsible stewardship of forest resources. As the Forestry Superintendent at LP’s OSB mill in Fort St. John, British Columbia, she has worked to create and improve sustainable forest management plans while building positive relationships with First Nations, government, and stakeholders. Sarah's dedication to fostering a more inclusive industry is evident in her leadership of multiple inclusivity training programs and her mentorship of the next generation of forest professionals.
"Working in the forest sector allows me to make a lasting impact on both the environment and the future of forestry," said Curtis. "Winning FPAC’s 2024 Women in Forestry Award of Excellence is not just a personal milestone; it represents the strength and determination of women in this sector. This recognition inspires me to continue nurturing our forests while empowering others to forge their paths in this vital industry," Curtis added.
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, and paper producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $97B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in over 600 communities, providing 200,000 direct jobs, and over 370,000 indirect jobs across the country. Our members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, government bodies, and other key stakeholders to develop a cross-Canada action plan aimed at advancing forest health, while supporting workers, communities, and our environment for the long term.
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