Sappi Leaders Recognized for Excellence

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has bestowed Rebecca Barnard, Sappi Forestry Certification Manager, with the Young Forester Leadership Award for her dedication to sustainability and responsible forestry.

“We are thrilled for Rebecca’s achievement,” says Anne Ayer, Vice President, Pulp Business and Supply Chain. “Rebecca is a tremendous asset to Sappi with her wealth of industry knowledge and expertise. This award is a testament to her commitment to responsible forestry and advancing Sappi’s mission of sustainable innovation. It could not be more well deserved.”

The Young Forester Leadership Award recognizes outstanding leadership by a young forestry professional in the development and promotion of an individual program or project or for a sustained leadership role benefiting the practice of forestry and SAF. Recipients, who must be 40 or younger, are evaluated based on outstanding leadership in the profession, outstanding leadership in SAF, and sustained leadership roles benefiting the practice of forestry.

“Receiving SAF’s Young Forester Leadership Award is a personal and professional honor,” says Rebecca. “Reflecting on the achievements during my career, these successes were made possible only by the passion and collective efforts of many equally dedicated leaders within our industry and the support I’ve received from my employers, including Sappi. I look forward to continued service to the forestry profession and SAF.”

Rebecca, who was named in 2018 as Sappi’s manager of forest certification, has over 15 years of forestry experience. Prior to her role at Sappi, she served as the national forestry programs manager for the National Wild Turkey Federation from 2013 to 2018 and as the forest certification coordinator for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources from 2008 to 2013. She also chairs SAF’s National Committee on Forest Policy after serving a three-year term on the committee membership team.

A SAF member since college, Rebecca has held various leadership positions with the Minnesota Society of American Foresters.