Faces of Forestry is an initiative of the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) to highlight people doing great work to enhance our forests throughout British Columbia. In this month’s Faces of Forestry, we are featuring a Face of FESBC to highlight one of the exceptional individuals on our Board of Directors who has helped guide our organization toward impactful change.
This month, we feature Sarah Fraser, one of FESBC’s Board Directors and the Assistant Deputy Minister of Coast Area in the Ministry of Forests.
Sarah holds a Master of Business Administration from Royal Roads University, where her thesis focused on comparative governance models in service delivery in North America and the United Kingdom.
In 2020, she joined FESBC as a Board Director, bringing a wealth of knowledge and passion for helping rural communities around British Columbia.
Having worked with the Provincial Government for 35 years, with much of that time focusing on rural economic development, she has brought new perspectives to FESBC from both the public service and the Ministry of Forests.
“Given my background in rural and regional economic development and my time leading community transition services for the Province, I have experiences from across B.C. that have proven helpful during my time with the FESBC Board,” she explained. “I also have a background in leading forest tenure, engineering, forest and lands policy, and coastal operations. Bringing this diverse knowledge and experience to FESBC allows me to utilize a strategic lens.”
Looking ahead, Sarah is confident in FESBC’s continued role in reducing wildfire risks for communities and helping address climate change. In addition, she believes forestry is incredibly important to the local economy, as it creates good-paying jobs throughout the province.
“It is more than direct forestry jobs that are created; it is also jobs in the service and manufacturing sectors that support the industry,” she added.
Beyond her professional endeavours, Sarah is also an accomplished woodworker, creating fine furniture that showcases the beauty and lasting durability of wood.
As she prepares for retirement at the end of February, Sarah recalls her time at FESBC with much joy. She has thoroughly enjoyed working with FESBC’s new Executive Director, the talented staff and the rest of the Board, helping provide real value to people in B.C.
FESBC’s Board Chair, Dave Peterson, praised Sarah’s invaluable contributions, highlighting her role in helping shape the organization’s direction: “Sarah has been a key member of the Board, bringing a sound knowledge of B.C.’s rural communities and economies and the role that FESBC projects can play in those communities. She has also brought a particular passion for Coastal communities and circumstances and has ensured that the Board keeps those areas top of mind.”
Jason Fisher, FESBC’s Executive Director, also expressed deep appreciation for Sarah’s leadership and commitment: “Sarah has been a strong champion of rural communities her whole career and brought that experience to FESBC. We will miss her wisdom, focus, and compassion.”
Thank you, Sarah, for your service to FESBC, dedication to economic development, and support to rural communities. Your work has had a lasting impact on the forest sector in B.C. and has played a key role in helping shape FESBC’s successes to date and for the future.