Who knew? One of the most powerful and influential women in Canada lives in Comox.
Comox-based Dana Collins was recognized as one of the Women’s Executive Network‘s Canada’s most powerful women for her work advocating for workforce diversity. Collins made their Top 100 Award Winner’s List in the Manulife Science and Technology category, one of the 13 categories where remarkable women are honoured.
Collins was chosen to recognize her role in challenging the male-dominated status quo and promoting female empowerment within Canada’s forest industry.
According to the Network, the award winners personify “what it means to be powerful through the way they empower and champion others, influence change and stand up for all of us.” Past award winners include some of Canada’s most powerful women: The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine, the first African-Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons; Melissa Grelo, co-host of CTV’s The Social; Dr. Shawna Pandya, scientist-astronaut candidate; Michele Romanow, tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist; and Susan Aglukark, award-winning musician.
Collins is a forestry professional who currently serves as Managing Director of The Juniper Collective, an inclusion and diversity consultancy that works with forest sector organizations to develop practical solutions for respectful and inclusive workplaces.
“Inclusion begets innovation and I’m committed to making the forest sector more inclusive,” Collins said in a press release. “Given women make up approximately 17% of the workforce, it’s imperative that we break down barriers, uplift under-represented voices, and encourage women to pursue rewarding careers in forestry.”
Prior to joining The Juniper Collective, Collins was Manager of Integrated Resource Management for Campbell River-based Strategic Natural Resource Consultants. She also served for five years as the Executive Director of the Canadian Institute Of Forestry.
Collins graduated from the Masters of Forest Conservation program from the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Forestry and has worked as a Lecturer at her alma mater.
