Spooktacular Career & Networking Lunch

Capping off the final day of the much anticipated TFD Week 2014, in which The Forests Dialogue convened its Steering Committee members, along with representatives from around 35 companies, inter-governmental organizations, NGOs, and civil society groups to discuss challenges and opportunities pertaining to “deforestation-free” commitments, was a professional networking lunch for students, co-hosted and sponsored by the Career Development Office at Yale’s School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (FES).  This lunch provided a unique opportunity for students at FES and the broader graduate and professional student community to engage with and learn from a dedicated and passionate group of individuals with leadership roles in the forest sector.  

Situated in the Knoblach Environmental Center of Kroon Hall, the personal and informal atmosphere encouraged a healthy and expansive discussion between students and Steering Committee members.  Following an introductory period in which Steering Committee members were provided the opportunity to discuss their own career paths and bodies of work, students jumped in with a wide range of questions, covering topics such as the most marketable job skills, the differences of private and public sector work, and strategies for working across and navigating between sectors throughout one’s career.   

TFD would like to extend its deepest gratitude to the following Steering Committee members, all of whom  played a very active role in responding to student questions:

Joji Carino - Director, Forest Peoples Programme

Cecile Ndjebet - President, The African Women’s Network for Community Management of Forests (REFACOF)

Antti Marjokopi - Senior Vice President, Sustainability, Stora Enso

Chris Knight - Assistant Director, Sustainability and Climate Change, PricewaterhouseCooper (PwC)

Joe Lawson - (Retired) Global Director, Sustainable Forestry, MeadWestvaco Corporation (MWV)

Chris Buss - Senior Programme Officer, Forest Conservation Programmes, IUCN

Paivi Salpakivi-Salomaa - Vice President of Environmental Affairs, UPM - The Biofore Company

Peter Gardiner - Natural Resources Manager, Mondi