Western Forestry Co-op CEO, Marina Conway has announced that she will step down after 11 years to “hand over the reins and pursue other opportunities”.
Conway said she is “very proud” of the work the Western Forestry Co-op has achieved under her stewardship over the past 11 years.
The co-op is at the “forefront of farm forestry, empowering farmers and local communities to be their own leaders in forestry”, she added.
However, she believes it is time for a change and to let someone else take the co-op on the “next exciting stage” of its journey. Conway will step down at the end of June.
Conway graduated from University College Dublin (UCD) with a degree in agricultural science, and previously worked in New Zealand on the country’s emissions trading scheme.
Marina Conway
Commenting on Conway’s departure, chair Robert Hosey said: “Marina Conway has been an excellent chief executive for Western Forestry Co-op over the past eleven years.
“Marina has committed passion, drive and energy to the co-op, transforming it from a very modest business to a leader in farm forestry.
“It has been a privilege to work with her, and on behalf of the board and the Western Forestry Co-op team, I want to thank Marina for all her efforts and wish her the very best for the future.”
The co-op was set up to provide a support structure to encourage farmers to afforest the marginal areas of their farms rather than selling the land to private investors.