Kootenays, B.C. – Forestry Works for BC (FWFBC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Maria McFaddin as Executive Director, effective September 2026.
McFaddin will lead the grassroots nonprofit into its next phase of growth, with a focus on building relationships and partnerships across the province, and strengthening public understanding of responsible forestry in British Columbia.
McFaddin brings more than a decade of leadership experience in British Columbia, including four years as Mayor of Castlegar and four years on Castlegar City Council. A Kootenay native who grew up surrounded by forests, she has been a visible advocate for responsible forestry and its connection to wildfire resilience, housing, jobs and strong, sustainable communities.
She has served as a public spokesperson on forestry’s role in community resilience, facilitated leadership teams across the province since 2008 and owned and operated a local small business for eight years.
“Forestry Works for BC is doing exactly the work our province needs – real stories, respectful conversation, and grassroots engagement that helps people understand what responsible forestry actually means,” said McFaddin. “I’m honoured to step into this role at a pivotal moment. Membership growth and public conversation is relationship work, and that’s the work I’ve been doing my whole career – asking people to commit, building coalitions and bringing communities together around shared priorities.”
McFaddin joins Forestry Works for BC during a period of significant growth for the organization. Since relaunching its digital communications on January 15, 2026, FWFBC content across Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn has generated more than 1.2 million views, 14,000 content interactions and nearly 12,000 link clicks, helping bring conversations about forestry to a growing audience across British Columbia.
“Maria brings exactly the kind of leadership we need for the next stage of Forestry Works for BC,” said Ken Kalesnikoff, Chair of the Forestry Works for BC Board of Directors. “She understands that meaningful change starts with relationships – with our members, businesses, communities and people across the province. We have built tremendous momentum this year, and Maria has the leadership, energy and ability to connect with people that will help us turn that momentum into a stronger organization and expand our reach across B.C.”
McFaddin succeeds Executive Director Steve Kozuki, who is retiring after leading Forestry Works for BC since January 2025.
“We are grateful to Steve for the knowledge and leadership he has brought to Forestry Works for BC,” said Kalesnikoff. “His passion for forestry and for helping British Columbians better understand the sector has helped shape our organization. He leaves FWFBC with a strong foundation, and we’re excited to see Maria build on that work as we enter this next chapter.”
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About Forestry Works for BC
Forestry Works for BC is a grassroots, non-partisan nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public understanding of responsible forestry in British Columbia. Through education, storytelling and engagement, FWFBC connects British Columbians with the people and practices behind responsible forestry and creates opportunities for informed, respectful conversations.
Media Contact:
Ken Kalesnikoff
Chair of the Board, Forestry Works for BC
Email: kenkalesnikoff@gmail.com