As National Forest Week is celebrated across the country, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) is announcing the winners of its 2023 Awards of Excellence program. Today, FPAC announced that Bonny Skene is being honoured with the Outstanding Member of the Year Award for her significant contributions to sustainability and community engagement.
“Bonny is a champion of her home community of Dryden, Ontario and is a true collaborator and a compassionate leader who puts people and communities first in everything she does,” said FPAC President and CEO Derek Nighbor.
“This award stands as a tribute to not only Bonny’s pride in Canada’s forest sector and community-driven solutions but also how highly regarded she is by her colleagues and peers. Through her unwavering commitment we see the positive impact that collaboration and a focus on sustainability and community engagement can produce," he added.
With more than 20 years of experience and an unwavering commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) matters, Bonny Skene currently serves as a regional public affairs manager for Domtar’s Canadian operations. She is at the forefront of constructive dialogues and solutions across a wide spectrum of domains, including forestry, environmental considerations, northern development, and Indigenous relations. Her collaborative efforts have consistently resulted in the implementation of practical, sustainable solutions that benefit the sector and local communities in tandem.
Bonny works closely with both provincial and federal authorities, where her involvement has played a pivotal role in transforming ideas into impactful actions that resonate throughout the sector.
Beyond her role at Domtar, Bonny is a board member of Forests Ontario and currently serves as the Chair of the Board for the Port of Thunder Bay — Canada's second-largest export grain port.
Her academic credentials are equally impressive, including a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from McMaster University, a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Dakota, and a director designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors through the University of Toronto.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Bonny is an avid sailor and skier who cherishes outdoor experiences with her family.
"I am honoured and humbled to receive this award. I deeply enjoy what I do, working with colleagues and with people in host communities, regions and governments addressing issues and finding solutions. I am so very fortunate to live, work and play in Canada’s Boreal Forest where the sustainability of Canadian forestry is tangible, real and noteworthy,” Skene said.
About Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC)
FPAC provides a voice for Canada’s wood, pulp, paper, and wood-based bioproducts producers nationally and internationally in government, trade, and environmental affairs. As an industry with annual revenues exceeding $73B, Canada’s forest products sector is one of the country’s largest employers operating in hundreds of communities, providing 205,000 direct jobs, and over 415,000 indirect jobs across the country. FPAC and its members are committed to collaborating with Indigenous leaders, federal and provincial governments, labour partners, community groups, and other rightsholders and stakeholders to secure and advance the sector’s environmental, social, and economic potential for the long-term.
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