MINNEAPOLIS
,
February 7, 2022
(press release)
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Alaska Native Leader Brings Decades of Business and Conservation Experience Derik Frederiksen has been selected as the president of Forest Stewardship Council US, concluding an extensive national search process conducted by executive search firm Odgers Berndtson on behalf of the FSC US Board of Directors. An Alaska Native from the Tsm'syen Nation of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, Derik brings to the role decades of business experience, a deep commitment to forest conservation and a lifelong passion for helping advance Indigenous culture to protect ancestral homelands.
“As we got to know Derik, we were so impressed by the way he has tied together commitments to forests and people throughout his career,” said Sarah Billig, FSC US board co-chair. “Coupled with his business experience at Sealaska, Derik’s vision and demonstrated ability to successfully grow organizations is the right fit for a moment when FSC is presented with so much opportunity.”
Derik has spent much of his career at Sealaska, the Native Corporation for Southeast Alaska. He founded Sealaska Environmental Services, growing the organization over 11 years to 110 employees with contracts valued at more than $1.3 billion. Most recently, Derik served as Sealaska’s vice president, leading corporate communications, shareholder services and education, and workforce development. During this time, Derik helped develop a 165,000-acre forest carbon bank that generated 9.3 million tons of carbon credits.
“FSC has so much potential, especially in the face of climate change and the role that forests play as natural climate solutions,” Derik said. “The DNA of FSC is very strong, and I want to make it even more relevant to a wide range of audiences.”
Derik’s Tsm'syen name is Sigwinii’tsn Gayna, which translates into "Shows the path.” His family is from the village of Gitlaan, which means People of the Stern Canoe. His pteex (clan) is Gispwudwada (main crests are the killer whale and grizzly bear) and waap (house) is the House of Niiuks.
“I am excited about the ways FSC aligns with my desire to support Indigenous Peoples while building a sustainable world,” Derik added.
Derik is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources. His personal interests include travel, snowboarding, birding, hunting, and spending as much time as possible with his daughter Ella, who just graduated from college and now lives in Brooklyn, NY. He lives in Seattle with his wife Nicole and their dog Jacques.
On behalf of the whole team, we welcome Derik to FSC and look forward to working together.
Derik will start in his new role on February 14, 2022.
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