Appointed by the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs, Michael Kelly is a member and former councillor of Leq’a:mel First Nation. Michael retired early, after 35 years, working with the Provincial Government in the BC Ministry of Highways.

Kelly has worked extensively in the Engineering Technical and Inspection component of highway construction, and after leaving the BC Ministry of Highways in 2002, he worked as a machine operator in the public works section at the University Endowment Lands until 2009.

Appointed by the First Nations Summit, Harley Chingee is the current Chief of the McLeod Lake Indian Band with over 20 years experience in First Nation administration and business management.

Chief Chingee brings a wealth of forest sector policy experience to the First Nations Forestry Council. Chief Chingee is committed to increasing First Nations access to, and involvement in, the forest sector.

Dan is a registered professional forester for the Nk’Mip First Nations Woodland Licence since it’s inception in 2018. He works closely with the licencee (Osoyoos Indian Band, OIB) to establish and implement the guiding principles and goals that the OIB envisions. This includes ensuring that multiple objectives are addressed across the tenure is a critical component of all planning, and has given Dan the opportunities to connect with other stakeholders throughout the area as well.

By recognizing the rights and management concerns of First Nations, local residents, range holders, woodlot licencees, recreational groups, local community groups and environmental societies, as well as local government in general – Dan has connected and collaborated with a wide diversity of interests. This collaboration ensures that planning and activities on the First Nation Woodland Licence tenure runs smoothly and that the Osoyoos Indian Band has the main voice in the way the forests in their traditional territory are managed.

Dan looks forward to being a director on the BC First Nations Forestry Council Board to learn more from other First Nations tenure holders across the province.  “I’m very humbled to be part of this experienced and knowledgeable Forestry Council team, and I look forward to moving our agenda and priorities to the top of the list of changes to forest legislation and policies to increase the role of First Nations as full partners in the BC forest sector.”

Robert Michell is the elected Chief of the Stellat’en First Nations. A graduate of the University of Victoria Law Program, Chief Robert has been involved in Indigenous business and politics for over 40 years. Chief Michell is also a Hereditary Chief of the Frog clan of his community.

Chief Robert brings a unique approach to Indigenous involvement in business. The Stellat’en First Nation is currently discussing four major electrification projects within their territories. Chief Robert joined the BC First Nations Forestry Council board in 2024.

Sandy Atkinson is from the Snuneymuxw First Nation, on the east coast of Vancouver Island, and is the Director of Operations and Finance for the First Nations Forestry Council. Sandy oversees the day-to-day operations of the Forestry Council, including financial management and compliance, and ensuring the administrative and governance functions are current and progressive.

Sandy has over 25 years of experience in operational forestry, as well as the administrative and financial management of forestry businesses and joint ventures. She is passionate about the BC forest sector and utilizing the forests to provide jobs and economic benefits that are sustainable, and not at the expense of protecting our forests for the cultural and spiritual values they possess.

Karen Sorensen is the Director of Engagement and Communications for the First Nations Forestry Council. Having been an invaluable member of our team for five years as the Workforce Development Program Manager, Karen consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication, expertise, and a deep commitment to the Forestry Council.

In her current role, Karen leads initiatives focused on developing and executing strategies to effectively engage constituents and communicate the organization’s mission, programs, and impact. She collaborates closely with the CEO, staff, and community partners to advance the Forestry Council’s goals and objectives, building meaningful relationships with diverse stakeholders and leveraging various communication channels to drive engagement and support. Karen ensures that our efforts align with the highest standards of excellence and integrity.

With her extensive experience as a creative director in public engagement and her passion for communications and marketing, Karen is ideally suited to propel our organization forward in this critical area.

Tiffany joined the Forestry Council in 2023 as the Policy Program Manager. She brings over 12 years of experience in public policy development and engagement and has worked on a range of provincial government initiatives and strategies in the areas of international relations, immigration, employment and tourism. In her most recent role prior to FNFC, Tiffany led key initiatives supporting Indigenous tourism throughout the province including the development and delivery of the Capacity Building and Resilience Fund and the Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative.

As Policy Programs Manager for the BC First Nations Forestry Council, Tiffany leads the policy, research and legislative analysis work and liaises with government, First Nations, First Nations partner organizations, and industry, on key issues related to forest policy and legislation.  

Tiffany grew up on Vancouver Island and after spending years away for study, travel and work, she was happy to return in 2019 to raise her family.  In her spare time, she can be found at the soccer field, in the forest on a mountain bike, or at the beach.

Rob Manuel is a member of the Upper Nicola Band and a dual citizen of Canada and Australia. He is a Petroleum Engineer with over 25 years of international experience in oil and gas exploration and production. Rob has developed expertise in production management and optimization, ensuring safe operations, asset management, opportunity identification, approval and delivery, value assurance, and Indigenous relations. He is committed to continuous improvement, ensuring that business processes are properly set up to deliver the necessary outputs to meet customer needs.

Depending on the situation, Rob is skilled at motivating, guiding, and challenging people to ensure that tasks are completed in ‘a good way’. He strikes a balance between employee engagement, team leadership, collaboration, people development, and promoting diversity and inclusion.

Rob enjoys travelling with his wife and twin daughters and cannot wait for his next skiing adventure.  He also enjoys yard work and gardening to add to his sense of accomplishment and does his best to defend his position as a Calgary Flames fan.

Denise was born and raised on Vancouver Island. Her career started out working in veterinary nursing, health care, and as a community support worker but eventually diverged into forestry.

Denise worked as a heavy equipment operator in logging and then turned to teaching heavy equipment operation. Her career path includes working with a diverse number of organizations and programs, as well as instructional work in remote BC First Nations communities.

Christiana Jones joined the Forestry Council in June 2022 as the Communications Manager. They bring to the role 10 years of experience in communications, with a focus on government communications and stakeholder engagement. Most recently, Christiana worked for the Regional Parks system, engaging First Nations on strategic planning for land management on Southern Vancouver Island.

As the Communications Manager for the BC First Nations Forestry Council, Christiana oversees all communications initiatives such as campaigns, engagement, and event planning. They also support other program areas in communications needs.

Christiana moved to Vancouver Island in 2019 and has enjoyed spending as much time outdoors as possible.

Zac Whyte (BA, DipT) has been a consultant with the Forestry Council since 2022 and officially joined the team in the fall of 2024 as our Engagement Specialist & Storyteller. Zac brings expertise in creative communications and media production, with over 25 years of professional experience working with BC First Nations and Indigenous populations worldwide. In his previous roles, he managed communications for corporate forestry companies, facilitated land transfer agreements for the federal government, and produced stories for hundreds of organizations, governments, and First Nations.

Zac holds an Honours Diploma in Broadcast & Media Communications from BCIT and a Bachelors Degree with Distinction in Liberal Studies from VIU. When you meet him, he is a curious person who will invite you to share what is true to you and hold that story close to his heart. He is a married father of three and a 6th generation non-Indigenous Canadian adopted culturally by the Chief of the K’ate’mot E’iksʷən, near Courtenay, BC.

Maïa Mercure joined the Forestry Council’s workforce development team in January 2023. She is a certified HR professional specializing in Talent Management and HR digitization. Maïa will be guiding students through their career exploration journey and helping them chart their potential career trajectories in the forestry industry.

Prior to joining the Forestry Council, she spent 5 years working as an HR Advisor and Business Analyst in engineering consulting firms. She is a strategic thinker that loves to help people and organizations reach their optimal potential. She most recently worked at a clean energy company that helped Indigenous communities build their own capacity and reduce carbon emissions by transitioning to geothermal, solar and hydropower technologies.

Maïa is originally from Guelph, Ontario, and moved to BC to be closer to nature. She currently lives in Nanaimo, where she feels fortunate to be surrounded by majestic forests, awe-inspiring mountain landscapes and the glistening Salish Sea. In her spare time, Maïa enjoys exploring local hiking trails, paddleboarding, yoga and learning new culinary skills.

Isa White joined the BC First Nations Forestry Council in May 2022, initially as the Workforce Program Assistant. Isa has since worked with the policy team, where she contributed to key initiatives and gained experience across multiple program areas. Now, she serves in the executive branch as the Executive Assistant and Board Liaison, supporting leadership and ensuring effective communication with the Board.

Before joining the Forestry Council, Isa worked in administration at Kw’umut Lelum Child and Family Services, where she provided services that promoted safe children and healthy families and upheld children’s rights and dignity.

Outside of her professional commitments, Isa is passionate about acting. She has appeared on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network’s program, Coyote’s Crazy Smart Science Show, where she teaches youth how to bridge Western and Indigenous science in today’s world.

Claire joined the Forestry Council in August 2024 as our Engagement & Marketing Coordinator. In this role, she manages media channels and enhances external engagement to increase awareness and support for the Forestry Council’s mission.

With a marketing, communications, and public relations background, Claire has a proven track record of enhancing outreach programs. In her previous position with a multinational industrial tool manufacturer, Claire led a pilot project on Vancouver Island to expand operations. Her primary responsibilities included implementing marketing initiatives and managing relationships – delivering reports on the brand’s effectiveness and sustainability.

Currently pursuing a Professional Diploma in Ecological Restoration from the University of Victoria, Claire applies her expertise in strategic planning, resource management, and silviculture to drive impactful engagement initiatives that support First Nations stewardship within British Columbia’s forest sector.

Claire has lived in Toronto, Montréal, and now Victoria since late 2023, seeking a more active lifestyle closer to nature. Outside work, you can find her playing soccer, freediving, or running with friends.

Jordan joined the BC First Nations Forestry Council, in February 2022, as an Administrative Coordinator. A recent transplant to Vancouver Island, Jordan has lived in Victoria and now Nanaimo.  A graduate from York University with a BSc in Science and Technology Studies, Jordan has had a diverse and highly technical career path. Before moving to Vancouver Island, Jordan spent years working in the Facebook office in Toronto, helping organize events and public engagement.  

When he isn’t working, he is enjoying life on Vancouver Island, hiking the forests and hills with his two dogs, Bear and Light.

Margaret was born in London, Ontario and moved to Vancouver Island along with her young son in 1995. She brings to Forestry Council over 20 years experience in all aspects of the accounting cycle in Government, Not-For-Profit, and Private Sector. 

When Margaret isn’t crunching numbers she can be found paddling on the ocean in either a Dragon Boat or an Outrigger Canoe.  She has been slowly visiting some of the nearby islands and a top priority on her bucket list is to eventually visit every island surrounding Vancouver Island. That is one tall order!

Catherine joined the Forestry Council in March 2025 as the Workforce Development Coordinator, supporting Indigenous education and career opportunities within the forest sector through promoting and facilitating the Indigenous Forestry Scholarship program. She helps process scholarship applications, coordinate industry placements, and build relationships with funders and students.

Catherine has a passion for supporting Indigenous voices in forestry and creating meaningful relationships. With a background in Indigenous relations, environmental stewardship, and workforce development, she focuses on breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for young people entering the industry. She believes in fostering a welcoming and supportive space for Indigenous youth to grow, learn, and succeed.

Catherine is happiest on the land – whether it’s in ceremony, canoe tripping, trail running, or finding new ways to connect with nature.

Fiona joined the Forestry Council in March 2025 as our Business Development Coordinator. In this role, she plays a pivotal role in advancing the Forestry Council’s mission to support British Columbia’s First Nations in identifying, accessing, sharing, navigating and developing opportunities within the forestry sector.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Environmental Studies (Urban & Regional Planning), a Master’s in Professional Communications, and a post-graduate certificate in Climate Science and Policy. With experience in both public and private sectors, she specializes in strategic planning, business development, communications, and First Nations community engagement.

Passionate about collaborative forest management and sustainable solutions, Fiona works to foster partnerships and create economic opportunities. Based in Victoria, BC, Fiona shares her home with her two adult children and two cats. She enjoys hiking, lifelong learning, and spending time outdoors.