Anne Heissenbuttel is a partner at Heissenbuttel Natural Resources Consulting. Anne’s career includes over 10 years of field forestry experience in California and more than 30 years of specializing in forest policy on both a state and the federal level. In this episode, Anne talks about the difference between field forestry work and working in policy. Anne spoke about the various ways in which you measure progress, as you transition from different positions throughout your career. A question she often asks others is, “I know what you are against, but what are you for?” to help keep people focused on the main mission at hand.

Key Takeaways:

[2:50] How did get Anne get started in forestry?

[8:45] Anne was the 6th woman in California to have a forester’s license.

[11:00] Anne’s boss was not happy that he had a woman working for him. He thought women didn’t belong in the woods.

[16:10] How did Anne transition from the woods into policy?

[20:55] What advice does Anne have for those who are in a transition right now?

[22:50] Anne talks about some of her mentors and the roles they’ve had on her life.

[32:20] Humor plays an important role in the workplace, but the lines between what’s appropriate vs. inappropriate can get crossed quickly.

[34:55] What’s it like, working policy in Washington, D.C.?

[41:25] What was the most fun job Anne has had over the years?

[43:20] What is Anne most proud of?

[47:55] Anne discusses where she believes the profession is headed, and the skillsets new foresters will need to know when entering into the workforce.

[54:15] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Stateconservation.org

And the Good News Is... by Dana Perino

Nadine Block is the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Public Affairs at the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, a nonprofit based out of Washington, D.C. On this week’s episode, Nadine talks about why she got involved in forest policy, and the three pillars of sustainability. She also discusses diversity in forestry and how capable women in forestry tend to under-qualify themselves and pass up on new positions.

Key Takeaways:

[2:40] How did Nadine get into forestry?

[4:55] What is a career in forest policy like, and how can someone get started in it?

[5:50] Nadine’s work not only focuses on the forests and the environmental aspects of the job, but also on what it means for the communities that are involved, and how we can continue to educate our youth.

[7:40] What is Nadine most proud of so far?

[11:55] Don’t be afraid to ask for help! People want to help!

[12:10] Nadine discusses the mentors she’s had throughout her career, and the impact they’ve had on her.

[17:20] According to Sheryl Sandberg, women hold themselves back on promotion opportunities.

[21:15] Take a leap and cast a wider net. Your ability to overcome adversity and challenges will often surprise you.

[22:30] Has Nadine ever witnessed other women being held back, in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways?

[28:25] Although Nadine has been out of forestry school for some time, she has noticed that forestry schools have extensive talks and discussions about diversity in the workforce.

[33:15] Nadine recommends two books that have inspired her.

[38:10] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Season 1 | Episode 5: Dr. Paul Winistorfer on The Leadership Nature Podcast

Sfiprogram.org

Nadine on LinkedIn

Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg

Boys in the Boat, by Daniel James Brown

Christa Rogers is the Natural Resources Manager for Mecklenburg County in Charlotte, North Carolina. At her location, she manages a staff of 12, and nearly eight acres of natural preserve. Christa discusses on the show that it can be easy to get pigeonholed into traditional gender roles as a woman, especially when you’re sitting in an office. There are times where it’s necessary to do the paperwork, but Christa believes it’s important to get out of your comfort zone and excel in other, and much tougher, positions.

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] How did Christa get started in forestry?

[8:00] What lessons did Christa learn while at the senate’s office?

[9:00] Christa discusses what her first job looked like, and what her first leadership position was.

[11:50] At 26 years old, Christa was being forced into a supervisor role and she was reluctant to do it! She didn’t see herself as a leader.

[16:55] What makes a good leader?

[19:45] Christa talks about some of her mentors, and how they’ve helped her through life.

[26:50] What experiences has Christa had, being a woman in a very male-dominated field?

[30:25] Due to a bad supervisor, who also had a tendency to bend the truth, Christa was often overlooked for promotions.

[35:45] What advice does Christa have for young women professionals?

[37:55] What does the future hold for forestry and natural resources?

[42:50] Keep pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.

[47:15] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Charmeck.org

Christa on LinkedIn

Susan Lacy is the executive director at Allegheny Society of American Foresters, and has seen her fair share of discrimination over the many years she’s worked in forestry. Women need to band together and support one another, not tear each other down. Life is hard enough already in a such a strongly male-dominated field, and woman who are afraid of the success of others, especially fellow women, just make an uphill battle much, much harder.

Key Takeaways:

[3:50] How did Susan first get started in forestry?

[8:50] Susan discusses what her school experience was like, as a woman.

[11:40] What makes a good leader?

[14:40] What is Susan most proud of in her career?

[16:25] Susan is proud to say that her first mentor was her mother.

[21:45] What has Susan’s experience been as a woman in a very male-dominated field?

[24:20] The wives of some of the men who worked with Susan even told Susan that they didn’t want her in the field. She was taking a man’s job away.

[32:35] Harassment doesn’t just come from men, it can come from women too.

[34:35] What advice does Susan have for fellow women foresters?

[41:00] Breathe in, breathe out, move on!

[45:25] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Alleghenysaf.org

Susan on LinkedIn

Toastmasters.org

Jada Jackson has been with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service for six years. She started as the Technical Specialist for the Forest Legacy Program in the Northeastern Area, and was promoted to Program Manager three years ago. On this week’s episode, Jada discusses some of her thoughts on where the forestry profession is going, and what makes a good leader succeed in this very important field.

Key Takeaways:

[4:05] How did Jada get started in forestry?

[10:15] Jada literally knocked on doors to get a job!

[17:50] Thankfully, Jada’s education was free, but she felt that it was not worth the price. She explains further.

[21:25] How are we doing as a profession, when it comes to diversity and safety?

[25:15] Jada discusses the senior leadership program in the forest service, and what it entails.

[30:00] What makes a good leader?

[34:35] What kind of mentors has Jada had over the years?

[43:10] What advice would Jada have for fellow woman forest professionals?

[51:15] Know what’s out there, know what you’re good at, and know what you want to do. Always be curious!

[56:25] Foresters are needed more than ever in these times.

[58:25] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Na.fs.fed.us

Jada on LinkedIn

Shawna Legarza is the National Director of Fire and Aviation for the U.S. Forest Service. Shawna has been working in the industry since 1989, and has worked as a Hotshot crew member in Carson City, NV, and a Hotshot Superintendent in Durango, CO. Shawna grew up on a ranch, and says that the work that you had to do, well, you just did it! She believes this strong work ethic has helped her greatly throughout her forester career, and when she was rejected by a crew for being a woman, it was one of the reasons why it didn’t faze her. She just kept moving forward until she found someone who would hire her!

Key Takeaways:

[2:45] How did Shawna first get involved in the fire department?

[4:30] Shawna’s parents had gone bankrupt when she was growing up.

[5:00] What kind of fun jobs did Shawna have?

[7:15] What’s it like to be a firefighter?

[10:45] Nobody told you what you’d encounter as a leader, but you constantly learned on the job.

[14:55] As a leader, you will always have troubling times, but it’s important not to spread those troubles onto your people.

[17:40] What kind of role models did Shawna have?

[22:15] What’s it like being a woman in a very male-dominated field?

[23:00] When you’re growing up on a ranch, there’s no gender, you just work!

[27:35] When Shawna was trying to apply to be a Hotshot, she called up one crew and they said they didn’t hire women. It didn't faze her! She went on to call another crew instead, who eventually hired her. You have to keep moving forward.

[33:30] What advice does Shawna have for people entering into this industry?

[40:00] Shawna always analyzes why a good leadership moment went well, and vice versa.

[41:30] What can you do to give back to your community?

[44:15] Are leaders born or made?

[46:00] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Fs.fed.us

Shawna on LinkedIn

Brittany VanderWall is the district forester at Presque Isle Conservation District. The very first people who shaped Brittany’s view on leadership were mentors from school. Brittany draws the connection between good leaders and band directors; both need to paint a very elaborate picture for their team so that everyone can flow in sync and harmony. At the end of the day, it’s about recognizing everyone's strengths and weaknesses, so that you can put them in a position to win.

Key Takeaways:

[3:00] How did Brittany get started in forestry?

[5:40] What does Brittany like the most about working outdoors?

[7:20] What have been some of the biggest surprises with the public?

[9:10] What was Brittany’s first leadership role like?

[11:25] What has Brittany learned about teamwork?

[14:00] Brittany talks about some of her important mentors!

[16:55] It’s so easy to put your mentors on a pedestal, but really, they’re just regular people.

[18:35] Just like leaders, the band director has to paint a vision for the band, so that they can achieve both harmony and formation.

[22:35] Tom’s band director would always say, “If you’re going to make a mistake, make a big one.”

[23:50] What has Brittany’s experience been like as a professional in the field?

[27:00] It’s important to have a conversation about the two genders, but it’s also important to find a jumping off point and work together on some of the issues, instead of dwelling on the differences.

[31:25] What is Brittany most proud of in her career?

[37:50] Don’t fixate on those daunting goals. Make incremental changes and steps to those big goals. It’s an easier pill to swallow!

[41:25] Brittany’s favorite ‘leadership’ movie is How To Train Your Dragon.

[47:45] If you don’t try, you’ll never know if you’re good at it or not! Show up, try, and see what happens.

[48:50] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Piconservation.org

Brittany on LinkedIn

Lisa Allen is currently serving as the state forester with the Missouri Department of Conservation in DC. In this role, Lisa provides statewide leadership for current and future forestry issues that may raise. Lisa also oversees the activities of the Forestry Division and its 220 employees. Lisa has been a forester since 1984, and has received several prestigious awards for her work!

Key Takeaways:

[3:10] How did Lisa get started in forestry?

[7:25] What is the forest landscape like in Missouri?

[8:45] What was Lisa’s transition into a leadership position like?

[14:00] Lisa is passionate about the work she does, and, in turn, that makes her a good leader.

[16:00] Don’t let the ego get in the way!

[18:30] Why are so many foresters so afraid of being passionate?

[20:55] What kind of challenges has Lisa faced?

[27:30] Lisa is fortunate enough to say that she has never been treated unfairly in her career.

[29:55] What advice does Lisa have for both the men and women on how they can treat people in their profession equally?

[34:35] Don’t be afraid on developing strong relationships with your co-workers.

[39:50] Leadership happens at all levels, it does not just happen from the top.

[44:40] What is Lisa the most proud of in her career?

[50:25] Are leaders born or made? They’re created!

[52:50] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

MDC.MO.gov

Kelly Norris is a Forester at Wyoming State Forestry Division. Throughout her career, Kelly has gone through several places where she was the first woman many male co-workers had ever seen! She’d often visit towns with populations of 150 or so people. Some male co-workers were afraid/worried of her, while others were more blatant in their discrimination towards her. Hear her stories on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] How did Kelly become involved in forestry?

[8:55] You never stop learning in forestry.

[9:05] What is the collaboration program in natural resources about?

[12:35] Who can join this program?

[16:40] What did Kelly learn the most while attending the collaboration program?

[21;15] What was Kelly’s first leadership role like?

[24:35] Kelly discusses her experience as often being the ‘first woman’ to achieve certain milestones.

[28:10] Why were the other male foresters afraid of Kelly?

[32:00] Unfortunately, with being the first woman to enter into a lot of these rural places, Kelly has experienced discrimination.

[40:35] What kind of mentors has Kelly had?

[47:30] How can men make the work environment more welcoming to women?

[48:50] What is Kelly most proud of in her career so far?

[54:45] What makes a good leader?

[1:02:50] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Wsfd.wyo.gov/

Cassie Phillips has been the Vice President of Weyerhaeuser since 2001, first joining the company in 1991. Cassie earned her degree in forestry at the University of Washington in 1976, and a lot has changed in the industry since then. As she was one of the very first women to join a very male-dominated field, she did receive a bit of push back, but she also received help. Find out more about Cassie’s journey today!

Key Takeaways:

[3:05] How did Cassie first get started in forestry?

[4:25] How many women were studying forestry when Cassie went to University of Washington in 1972?

[8:20] What was Cassie’s first leadership position like?

[11:20] Cassie was the first woman in a field management position at the time.

[15:45] Weyerhaeuser focused a lot of their efforts on management training and diversity. In fact, they have a lot more women in leadership positions than other companies in the forestry industry.

[16:45] What has Cassie learned about leadership over the years?

[18:10] Underneath all great leaders are personal integrity and openness.

[19:55] How do you develop a strategy to communicate effectively?

[22:00] Lawyers understand they’re not liked, but they also understand how valuable they are in society. The same applies to foresters.

[23:00] Why did Cassie go from forestry to law?

[26:55] In forestry, you have to create a welcoming environment for all types of diverse people.

[32:35] How can foresters advance in their career?

[38:15] What other challenges has Cassie had to face throughout her career?

[47:40] Remember to make friends before you need them.

[50:00] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:

Weyerhaeuser.com

Cassie on LinkedIn

What Works: Gender Equality by Design, by Iris Bohnet

Ask For It: How Women Can Use the Power of Negotiation to Get What They Really Want, By Linda Babcock and Sara Laschever

Power: Why Some People Have It — and Others Don't, by Jeffrey Pfeffer