Derik Frederiksen has been selected as the next president of Forest Stewardship Council US. An Alaska Native from the Tsm’syen Nation of Southeast Alaska and British Columbia, Frederiksen 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.”
Frederiksen 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, Frederiksen served as Sealaska’s vice president, leading corporate communications, shareholder services and education, and workforce development. During this time, Frederiksen 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,” says Frederiksen. “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,” Frederiksen added.
Frederiksen is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies and the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources. He will start in his new role on February 14, 2022.