Announcing SFI’s New CEO
OTTAWA, Ontario and WASHINGTON, Sept. 01, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is pleased to announce Matthew Reddy as the next Chief Executive Officer, effective September 1, 2026.
“On behalf of the SFI Board of Directors, I have the pleasure of announcing Matthew Reddy in the role of CEO of SFI. Matthew’s global perspective and executive leadership experience have prepared him to lead SFI into its next chapter. He brings deep knowledge of the forestry sector and a strong understanding of global investment landscapes, developed through his work at the intersection of sustainability, conservation, business, and finance,” said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation and Chair of the SFI Board of Directors.
Matthew brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience spanning sustainable forestry, conservation, climate and biodiversity initiatives, commodity certification systems, and public-private partnerships. He most recently served as a Senior Private Sector Specialist with the Global Environment Facility (World Bank), where he led private-sector investments and initiatives supporting global environmental goals. Prior to that, he served as Director of the Forest Solutions Group at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, where he worked extensively with global forest-sector companies, certification systems, and sustainability initiatives. His career has consistently focused on building partnerships among industry, governments, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to advance sustainable development outcomes. Matthew is based in the Washington, D.C. area.
“I am proud to join SFI at this pivotal moment,” said Matthew Reddy, CEO of SFI. “Forests are central to healthy communities, thriving wildlife habitats, sustainable supply chains, and a resilient future. Building on SFI’s strong legacy, I look forward to working with our diverse network of partners to deepen our impact through credible standards based on robust science, innovative conservation initiatives, Indigenous partnerships, community engagement, and educating the next generation. Together, we will continue demonstrating how collaboration can create lasting benefits for forests and people alike.”
This announcement concludes a rigorous and highly competitive search process that began in February. Effective September 1st, Matthew Reddy succeeds Kathy Abusow as CEO, who announced her plans to retire in January 2026. Under Kathy’s leadership, SFI achieved a formidable scale and meaningful impact that contributed to positive change in our forests and for our communities.
ABOUT SFI
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) advances sustainability through forest-focused collaboration. We are an independent, non-profit organization that leverages four interconnected pillars of work: standards, conservation, community, and education. SFI works with the forest sector, conservation groups, academics, researchers, brand owners, resource professionals, landowners, educators, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and governments. Collaborating with our network, we leverage SFI-certified forests and products as powerful tools to help solve sustainability challenges such as climate action, conservation of biodiversity, education of future generations, and sustainable economic development. Learn more at forests.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christine Leduc
SFI VP, Canadian Operations and Communications
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
[email protected]
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0a45a50a-f260-4b9b-85dc-ad18e5f2155e
