Endowment Welcomes New Board Members

Board adds Da Cunha, Raglin to Board of Directors; Blocker and Kilpi Re-elected, Emmerson Selected for Past Chair Term; Farrell Retires

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 8, 2022)

Greenville, SC – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) is pleased to announce that Beatriz Da Cunha and Josh Raglin were elected as new directors at the organization’s fall board meeting.

Da Cunha leads Strategic Planning & Initiatives for the Credit Platform within BlackRock Alternatives in New York City. Previously, she served as Chief Operating Officer of BlackRock Sustainable Investing. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from the Stern School of Business at New York University.

Raglin is Chief Sustainability Officer at Norfolk Southern Corporation and has served in that role since 2020. He has been with the company since 1996 and has extensive experience in applying nature-based solutions. He has also served on numerous nonprofit and college advisory boards. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology from Oklahoma State University.

“We are excited to have Beatriz and Josh joining the Endowment’s board of directors,” said Pete Madden, the Endowment’s President and CEO. “Each of them brings fresh perspective and unique vision from their respective backgrounds. We look forward to working with them to advance the Endowment’s mission.”

“I’m thrilled to join the Endowment’s board to partner with the team and contribute to the organization’s mission to advance systematic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities,” said Da Cunha.

“Norfolk Southern has a long history in forestry as both a consumer and transporter of wood,” said Raglin. “I am both humbled and excited to serve in this new role to further sustainable change alongside the Endowment’s impressive team.”

Adrian Blocker and Soile Kilpi were re-elected to another term on the board of directors and Mark Emmerson was elected to a one-year term as “past chairman,” allowing him to serve a final year on the Endowment’s board.

“I am delighted to have Adrian and Soile remain on the board for another term,” said Madden. “Their knowledge and commitment to the Endowment are solid and I am proud to continue our work together.”

“Mark Emmerson has been an outstanding leader as Chairman of our Board,” said Madden. “He has served us well during his tenure and the Endowment is a stronger organization as a result of his contributions. His first-hand experience and knowledge of the forest industry is unparalleled and his willingness to share it with the Endowment has been instrumental in our success. While he will no longer be serving as Chair, we are thankful to have him as a director another year so he can continue to help guide the Endowment.”

The following new board officers were also elected: Chris McIver as Chairman and Mark Reed as Vice Chairman. Kevin Schuyler was re-elected as Treasurer.

“With Chris McIver taking over as Chair and Mark Reed as Vice Chair, the Endowment is fortunate to have such exceptional leadership,” said Madden. “As they join Kevin Schuyler as Treasurer, I know we will be well-served as we look to the future.”

Board and staff expressed appreciation to and celebrated outstanding service by outgoing member Jim Farrell. Farrell has served on the board since 2012, originally joining as the Canadian liaison to the board and was later elected as a board member in his own right.

“We are grateful for the long, commendable service that Jim has given to the Endowment,” said Madden. “His unique insight into the issues facing forests across North America has been incredibly valuable and his leadership, including his service as Chair of our Audit Committee, has been exceptional. We wish him well as he rotates off the Endowment’s board.”

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Media Contact

Brandon Walters, Communications and Administrative Coordinator, brandon@usendowment.org; (864) 233-7646.

About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. To learn more about the Endowment, please visit our website at www.usendowment.org.