Michael Wagner

Britni's Bio

Britni attended the University of Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry. She worked as a silviculture summer student for Sundre Forest Products (West Fraser) for two summers as well as in the mill for a few months one winter.

Upon graduation, Britni started full time as a Silviculture Area Supervisor in Sundre and has been there ever since. As a silviculturist, Britni is responsible for all aspects of the reforestation after logging including site prescriptions, mechanical site prep, tree planting, vegetation management, surveys, and much more.

West Fraser

Amit's Bio

Amit Saxena is a large mammal wildlife biologist, working in the Environmental Planning Section of TC Energy. Amit has spent a large part of his career working as a biologist in Alberta’s energy sector, focusing on predator/prey dynamics related to large mammals (especially wolves, bears and caribou).

Amit’s Masters studies took him to places all over the world studying everything from Grizzly bears to tigers. Amit has been a frequent speaker on Inside Education teacher workshops and many previous youth summits.

TC Energy

Jessica's Bio

Jess is passionate about creating connections between people and forests. A graduate from University of Toronto’s Master of Forest Conservation program, Jessica (Jess) Kaknevicius has spent over 15 years in the non-profit sector including nearly nine years with Forests Ontario in a range of management and director roles between 2009 and 2018, focusing on growing education and awareness programming, fundraising, and supporting strategic development for the organization.

She also acted as the Vice-President of Education for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), where she played a critical senior leadership role overseeing philanthropic efforts and government agreements, governance, and supporting strategic planning and communications. She is a well-known advocate for the forest sector and co-founded Women in Wood, a networking group for women in the forest and wood-related sectors to share advice, information, and encouragement.

Forests Ontario

Women in Wood

Jason's Bio

Jason Krips has been the President and CEO of the Alberta Forest Products Association (AFPA) since April 2020. In his role, Jason works with the Alberta forest industry and policy makers to grow this vitally important renewable and sustainable sector, which currently creates jobs for over 30,000 Albertans.

Prior to joining AFPA, Jason spent nearly 20 years with the Government of Alberta in numerous roles, with his last 6.5 years as Deputy Minister of two different ministries – Economic Development, Trade and Tourism and Agriculture and Forestry. A lawyer by training, Jason has a strong and diverse background in the areas of industry policy, issues management, team building and stakeholder engagement.

Alberta Forest Products Association