President & CEO of Conservation Think Tank to Serve as New American Forest Foundation Board Chair

President & CEO of Conservation Think Tank to Serve as New American Forest Foundation Board Chair

• Jan 22, 2020

AFF Welcomes Kathryn Fernholz of Dovetail Partners, Inc.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 22, 2020) – Today, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) announced Kathryn Fernholz, President & CEO of Dovetail Partners, Inc., will serve as the Chair of the AFF Board of Trustees in 2020 and 2021. Fernholz is the first woman to serve in the Chair position on AFF’s Board.

“Family forest owners across America are incredibly unique, and are rapidly getting more diverse. Specifically, women as primary or co-owners of forested land is one of the fastest growing demographics. Reflecting this diversity within our organization and leadership is a priority for us to grow and expand our work,” said Tom Martin, President and CEO of AFF. “Katie’s leadership abilities, intimate knowledge of forestry and creative problem-solving skills make her the perfect candidate to help lead our organization as we continue to increase the number of family forest owners actively stewarding their land.” 

Fernholz has spent more than 20 years helping family landowners successfully care for their land. In her current role as President and CEO of Dovetail Partners, Fernholz leads a highly skilled team that works to address complex issues surrounding the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions. Fernholz has extensive experience in engaging a diverse range of audiences to find solutions that produce positive change for sustainability and the environment.

“I am honored to be serving as the Chair of an organization that is dedicated to true impact in our forests,” said Fernholz. “AFF understands the complexities of forest stewardship, and they are on the cutting edge of finding innovative solutions, technologies and partnerships that help landowners, foresters, governments and companies work together to address some of our biggest environmental challenges. I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting time for AFF and family forest owners.”

Fernholz served as a member on the AFF Board for five years as well as on AFF’s Woodland Operating Committee for four years. She will serve a two year term as AFF’s Board Chair.

In addition, AFF will add three new individuals to its Board to bring new perspectives and skills to the leadership of AFF. Those include: Kedren Dillard, a family landowner active in the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program with a minority executive recruiting expertise having worked at Bloomberg, LP; Paige Goff, Vice President of Sustainability at Domtar; and Fred Clark, a forester in Wisconsin and new vice chair of AFF’s Woodland Operating Committee.

Contact: Elizabeth Greener, egreener@forestfoundation.org; (202) 253-1096

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About the American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a forest conservation organization, works on the ground with families, partners and elected officials to promote stewardship and keep our forests healthy. America’s family forests are vital for producing clean water and air, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies. AFF’s signature program, the American Tree Farm System® is the country’s largest sustainable woodland program with a network of more than 70,000 family forest owners managing nearly 19 million acres of forestland.