Women in Forestry Virtual Summit - 2025

Forestry Together hosted a panel session at the Canadian Forest Industries  2025 event on The Power of Intragenerational Partnerships at the Women in Forestry Virtual Summit in honour of #InternationalWomensDay 🌟

Alongside panelists Dee (Denise) Gallant and Storm Robinson, Jenna Phillips facilitated the exploration of how mentorship isn’t just a one-time career boost—it’s a lifelong exchange of knowledge, perspectives, and growth. From breaking down barriers to fostering innovation, strong mentorship relationships are shaping the future of the forest sector.🌲🌳

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This fireside chat explores the transformative impact of mentorship in the forest sector, highlighting how intragenerational partnerships can advance careers, foster diversity, and drive lasting change. Featuring inspiring success stories and practical strategies, the discussion covers mentorship best practices, tips for becoming an effective mentor or mentee, and insights into building formal mentorship programs. The panelists spoke about initiatives supporting Indigenous youth in forestry, emphasizing the role of mentorship in preserving traditional ecological knowledge while promoting inclusivity. This session is designed to empower participants with actionable tools to create meaningful mentorship relationships that benefit both individuals and the industry.

30:00 min

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Jenna Phillips

Jenna Phillips is a Policy Analyst at the Forest Products Association of Canada, a proud member of the Forestry Together alliance. Jenna hopes to bring a holistic and critical lens to forest governance processes, especially when it comes to fostering gender equity, Indigenous reconciliation, and climate resilience through forest policy outcomes.

Dee (Denise) Gallant 

Denise Gallant started out as the Workforce Advisor with the BC First Nations Forestry Council in 2019. Since 2024 she has been the Workforce Skills development Manager- leading the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship Program. Denise traverses the province to cultivate essential relationships within communities.

Storm Robinson

Storm Robinson is a Research Forester at the Northern Hardwoods Research Institute, where she manages knowledge mobilization and leads applied research projects on hardwood regeneration and adaptive silviculture. She currently chairs the Canadian Institute of Forestry Maritimes Section and is a founding member of the NB Chapter of Women in Wood.

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Let’s keep the conversation going—how has mentorship shaped your career? 

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