Castlegar’s outgoing mayor is the new executive director of Forestry Works for BC.
The non-profit industry advocacy group announced that Maria McFaddin will take over this month, “with a focus on building relationships and partnerships across the province, and strengthening public understanding of responsible forestry in British Columbia.”
“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,” McFaddin said in a news release.
“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.”
“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’s board of directors and past president of Kalesnikoff Lumber.
“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.
McFaddin was elected mayor of Castlegar in 2022 following four years as a city councillor. She announced earlier this year that she would not seek re-election, in part due to a potential job opportunity.
