Kathy Abusow

Kathy Abusow is the president and CEO of Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Kathy works with landowners, forest product producers, buyers, government organizations and conservation groups to promote forest certification throughout the supply chain.

Kathy Abusow is the president and CEO of Sustainable Forestry Initiative Inc.

Kathy works with landowners, forest product producers, buyers, government organizations and conservation groups to promote forest certification throughout the supply chain.

Before joining SFI, Kathy managed a forest certification and market acceptance consultancy where she worked with government, trade organizations and companies around the world on marketplace issues such as procurement policy design and acceptance of wood and certified products by green building rating systems.

Over the past 15 years, Kathy has authored numerous publications related to forest certification and responsible procurement. She is widely known for her technical expertise on forest certification standards, including those maintained by the SFI, Canadian Standards Association, Forest Stewardship Council and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.

Kathy earned an undergraduate degree from McGill University with studies at Leningrad State University in Russia. She received a master's degree from Harvard University in regional studies of Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia with a concentration in sustainable development and natural resources.