(Forests Canada photo)
An Ottawa Valley-based network is celebrating 10 years of connecting passionate women around the world who work in, with, and for the woods.
Women in Wood founders Jess Kaknevicius and Lacey Rose met with over 100 women in the forestry sector during a panel at Peterborough’s Fleming College on October 18th, where they shared the stage with fellow women at the top of private and public forestry concerns.
Women in Wood is a volunteer-run community of over 3,700 people that aims to encourage women to pursue careers in the forest, wood, and related sectors, and to help those women succeed by collaborating, sharing information, improving skills, and navigating the workspace.
Kanevicius, who is also the CEO of Forests Canada, called the chance to reflect on ten years of growth and impact in their community an amazing opportunity, while Rose adds that “the most remarkable thing was to witness the new connections being made and imagine how those relationships will help propel the careers of the next generation.”
The meeting comes shortly after Women in Wood was named a recipient of the Forest Product Association of Canada’s 2025 Partnership Award for demonstrating exceptional collaboration and leadership in supporting Canada’s forest sector and the people and communities it serves.
(written by Kasey Egan)

