PODCAST
A podcast working to move #ForestryForward.
Today’s forest sector is changing, and many organizations are making strides toward implementing a positive workplace culture and recruiting underrepresented groups (such as women, Indigenous peoples, new Canadians, 2SLGBTQ+, visible minorities, and people living with disabilities). But, there’s more work to be done. Join the Canadian Institute of Forestry and the Centre for Social Intelligence as we hear from a variety of experts, individuals, and organizations across the forest sector and beyond sharing their stories and experiences on inclusion and diversity in forestry. Together, we can move #ForestryForward.
Join the conversation
Audience.
Everyone in the forest sector - any individual entering/considering entering the sector; executives looking to learn or provide their experience on hurdles/best practices; individuals currently in the sector seeking advice on mentoring or to share their experience; innovative inclusion and diversity practices…and more!
Guests.
Interviews and conversations will be held with guests from all groups in the forest sector (male, female, 2SLGBTQ+, ethnically diverse, young, older, people living with disabilities (including mental health), C-suite, foresters, mill operators, etc.), as well as inclusion and diversity experts.
Listen.
Listen anywhere, anytime! Find us on your favourite podcast platforms (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, etc.), or tune in here on the Free to Grow website. New episodes will be posted monthly and be approximately 30-45 minutes in length. Stay tuned!
Season 3
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21. Peggy Smith, Dean Assinewe, and Isabelle Allen - An Indigenous intergenerational conversation about Canada's forest sector
Season 2
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20. Tracey Ramsey, Unifor - How can your union support DEI in the workplace?
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19. Marie-Evelyne François, L’Oréal Canada - Creating the beauty that moves the world
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18. Kathy Andrews and Patrick MacKenzie - Inclusive leadership and recruiting top talent
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17. Bethaney Wilkinson, The Diversity Gap - Race-conscious leadership, theology, and true cultural change
Season 1
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1. Stephen Mackie, Canfor - Leading the way on inclusion and diversity in the forest products industry
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2. Richard Dominy - Why are you telling me that now?
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3. Tailer Peckford - Gender identities within forestry
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4. Karen Catlin - Becoming a better ally
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5. John Betts, WFCA - Planting the seed for change
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6. Dr. Bill Howatt - Managing mental health in the workplace
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7. Trudy Samuel, NRCan - How the federal government is taking action for inclusion and diversity
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8. Dr. Sarah Gergel and Estefanía Milla-Moreno, UBC - A journey to creating a diverse, inclusive and intercultural community
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9. Wanda Deschamps, Liberty Co - What does it mean to be neurodiverse?
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10. François Dufresne, FSC Canada - What does it really mean to manage forests responsibly?
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11. Vicky Smallman, Canadian Labour Congress - Supporting gender equality and human rights
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12. Jason Fisher, MNP LLP - Living with a mental illness and how to make a difference
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13. Lana Love - Women in trades
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14. Mike Legere, AV Group Canada - Enhancing workplace cultures
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15. Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw, E2S - Walking with kindness
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16. Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon - Preventing gender-based violence
EPISODE List
1. Stephen Mackie, Canfor - Leading the way on inclusion and diversity in the forest products industry
Welcome to the first episode of the Free to Grow in Forestry Podcast series where our host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence speaks with Stephen Mackie, Canfor’s Executive Vice President of North American Operations, about leading the way on inclusion and diversity in the forest products industry.
2. Richard Dominy - Why are you telling me that now?
Welcome to the second episode of the Free to Grow in Forestry Podcast series where our host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence speaks with Richard Dominy, MBA, MF, RPF (ret), President of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, on his experience as a gay man in the forest sector, and how we can shift workplace cultures to be more accepting of the LGBTQ2SA+ community and underrepresented groups.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode makes mention of suicide, death, violence, and mental health, which some listeners may find triggering. If you need support at any time, please call the Canada Suicide Prevention Service at 1-833-456-4566 toll free (In QC: 1-866-277-3553), 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
3. Tailer Peckford - Gender identities within forestry
For our third episode, we are pleased to be joined by our host, Kelly Cooper, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence, and our guest Tailer Peckford, who is currently a Forest Technology student at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. Tailer shares their experience as a nonbinary individual, while also discussing the representation of different gender identities within the forestry workforce and education system.
4. Karen Catlin - Becoming a better ally
For our fourth episode, we are pleased to be joined by our host, Kelly Cooper, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence, and our guest Karen Catlin, who is a leadership coach, speaker, author, and advocate for inclusive workplaces. Karen dives into more detail on how we can work to become better allies for underrepresented groups through our everyday actions, and create diverse and engaging environments.
5. John Betts, WFCA - Planting the seed for change
For our fifth episode, we are pleased to be joined by our host, Kelly Cooper, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence, and our guest John Betts, who is the Executive Director of the Western Forestry Contractors’ Association. With experience as a tree planter and logger himself, John discusses the past and present work environment and culture of the tree planting industry, and the outlook for the future.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode discusses topics such as workplace violence, assault, abuse, and harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org.
6. Dr. Bill Howatt - Managing mental health in the workplace
Welcome to the sixth episode where our host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence is joined by Dr. Bill Howatt, Founder and President of Howatt HR Consulting. As one of Canada’s top experts in mental health issues in the workplace, Dr. Bill brings a new perspective to the discussion around mental health and illness, giving real-life examples, while also providing solutions and recommendations on how to adapt, support yourself and your peers, and seek help.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode discusses topics such as mental health and mental illness, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are looking for mental health services, please visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website at cmha.ca/find-help. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 1-833-456-4566 toll free (In QC: 1-866-277-3553), 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
7. Trudy Samuel, NRCan - How the federal government is taking action for inclusion and diversity
For our seventh episode, we are pleased to be joined by our host, Kelly Cooper, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence, and our guest Trudy Samuel, Senior Director for Natural Resources Canada’s Office for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Trudy shares her perspective on how the federal government has been taking action on diversity and inclusion, bringing clarity to possible perceptions and examples on how we can all work to do better.*
*Correction to audio transcript for Episode 7: From 8:08-8:12, the transcript should list “Indigenous, Black and other racialized people” instead of “Blacks, Indigenous and Persons with Disabilities”.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode makes brief mention of workplace harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org
8. Dr. Sarah Gergel and Estefanía Milla-Moreno, UBC - A journey to creating a diverse, inclusive and intercultural community
For our eighth episode, our host Kelly Cooper, Founder and CEO of the Centre for Social Intelligence is joined by not one, but two guests! UBC Forestry Diversity Crew co-founders: Dr. Sarah Gergel (she/her), Professor & Former Associate Dean of Diversity & Inclusion, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia and Estefanía Milla-Moreno (she/her/ella), PhD Candidate, Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia. As co-founders of the UBC Forestry Diversity Crew, Sarah and Estefanía discuss their journey and motivation towards creating a more diverse and inclusive space both on campus and in life.
9. Wanda Deschamps, Liberty Co - What does it mean to be neurodiverse?
Welcome to the ninth episode of the Free to Grow in Forestry Podcast series where our host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence is joined Wanda Deschamps, Founder and Principal of Liberty Co. As a champion for inclusion, Wanda discusses disability employment and the importance of increasing the participation level of the neurodiverse population in the workforce, with a special emphasis on autism due to Wanda's own diagnosis at midlife.
10. François Dufresne, FSC Canada - What does it really mean to manage forests responsibly?
Host Kelly Cooper, CEO and Founder of Centre for Social Intelligence is joined by François Dufresne, President of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Canada for episode ten. FSC Canada’s national standard addresses the most pressing issues facing Canada’s forests now, including Indigenous Peoples’ Rights, Workers’ Rights and Gender Equity, among others. Kelly and François discuss the importance of these social indicators and the power of diversity and inclusion.
11. Vicky Smallman, Canadian Labour Congress - Supporting gender equality and human rights
For Episode 11, we are joined by Vicky Smallman who is the National Director, Human Rights at the Canadian Labour Congress, Canada’s largest labour organization which represents more than 3 million workers from every sector of the economy. With the sixty-sixth session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women taking place in the month of March, Vicky and Kelly discuss the UN’s priorities and how Canada is making efforts to support gender equality and human rights.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode briefly discusses topics such as violence and harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org.
12. Jason Fisher, MNP LLP - Living with a mental illness and how to make a difference
Through this important conversation about mental health in the workplace, our guest Jason Fisher, Registered Professional Forester and Partner at MNP LLP shares how his own experiences living with a mental illness has shaped both his personal and professional life, and what people in leadership positions can do to make a difference for their employees.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode discusses topics such as mental health, mental illness and suicide, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are looking for mental health services, please visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website at cmha.ca/find-help. If you or someone you know is in a crisis, please call 1-833-456-4566 toll free (In QC: 1-866-277-3553), 24/7 or visit www.crisisservicescanada.ca.
13. Lana Love - Women in trades
As the first woman to complete a millwright apprenticeship and also the first to work in the role of maintenance supervisor with the Solid Wood Division of Canfor, Lana Love (Maintenance Supervisor, Journey level millwright, BC Centre for Women in the Trades Regional Rep, and Director (at large) BC Tradeswomen Society) gives us a window of insight on how to navigate the trades industry as a woman.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode makes brief mention of workplace harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org
14. Mike Legere, AV Group Canada - Enhancing workplace cultures
Kelly and Mike (Director Government Relations and Communications, AV Group Canada) discuss what actions the AV Group is taking to enhance their workplace culture and efforts to support diversity and inclusion, both internationally and here in Canada.
15. Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw, E2S - Walking with kindness
For Episode 15, we are joined by Cheyenne Mihko Kihêw (they/them), BA. Cheyenne is a Two-Spirit Indigi-queer and is currently the Community Liaison for Edmonton 2 Spirit Society. Cheyenne introduces what it means to be part of the Two-Spirit community, and shares how we can bring unity and equity into the workplace and everyday life.
16. Humberto Carolo, White Ribbon - Preventing gender-based violence
With November 25th marking the beginning of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence, we met with Humberto Carolo, Executive Director at White Ribbon to discuss how we can prevent and end gender-based violence and discrimination, invest in equal human rights, and remove barriers to create change.
Trigger warning: Content in this episode discusses topics such as gender-based and workplace violence, assault, abuse, and harassment, which some listeners may find triggering. If you are a victim of violence or need support at any time, please visit the Ending Violence Association of Canada website at endingviolencecanada.org.
17. Bethaney Wilkinson, The Diversity Gap - Race-conscious leadership, theology, and true cultural change
Through this conversation, Bethaney explains the inspiration behind her book The Diversity Gap, and provides insight on how to make a difference by creating true cultural change within an organization. February also marks Black History Month - a time to honour the legacy of Black people and their communities.
18. Kathy Andrews and Patrick MacKenzie - Inclusive leadership and recruiting top talent
Kathy Andrews (Managing Director of Cinga Leadership) and Patrick MacKenzie (CEO of Immigrant Employment Council of BC) each provide their perspectives on how workplaces can be more welcoming to all people, regardless of race, religion or gender, and how to take action on accessing top talent.
19. Marie-Evelyne François, L’Oréal Canada - Creating the beauty that moves the world
Marie-Evelyne François, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer of L’Oreal Canada, talks to us about what it means to be an inclusive leader, what progress has been made at L’Oreal so far, and how they’re working towards creating a culture where everyone can be their authentic self and offer experiences that reflect and recognize diversity and individuality.
20. Tracey Ramsey, Unifor - How can your union support DEI in the workplace?
As a grassroots activist with a strong focus on social justice, Tracey Ramsey (Director of Women’s department of Unifor) talks to us about her role in working with women and the value and impact that unions have on workplace culture and diversity.
21. Peggy Smith, Dean Assinewe, and Isabelle Allen - An Indigenous intergenerational conversation about Canada's forest sector
For episode 21, we are joined by 3 guests: Isabelle Allen, RPF, Project Forester, Wahkohtowin; Dean Assinewe, RPF, Indigenous Opportunities Consultant / Forest Management Auditor / Canadian Institute of Forestry 2nd Vice President; and Dr. M.A. (Peggy) Smith, RPF (Ret.), Professor Emerita, Faculty of Natural Resources Management, Lakehead University. As Indigenous peoples working in the forest sector, each guest brings their unique perspectives while discussing both the challenges and triumphs that Indigenous peoples experience in the workplace and beyond, and how the forest sector is continuing to evolve.
Interested in joining the conversation? Contact us for more details.