Kim Haakstad is President and CEO of the BC Council of Forest Industries (COFI), the leading voice for British Columbia’s forest sector. COFI represents companies vital to BC’s economy, producing lumber, pulp and paper, and bioenergy while championing sustainable forest management and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Kim brings over two decades of experience navigating complex challenges at the intersection of business and government. Before COFI, she served as VP of External Relations at Terramera, collaborating with all levels of government, industry associations, and stakeholders. Her deep understanding of government operations stems from extensive experience as a senior political advisor, including roles as Deputy Chief of Staff to the BC Premier and Chief of Staff to Cabinet Ministers. She has provided strategic counsel to businesses across diverse sectors of the Canadian economy.
Kim’s leadership extends beyond the forest sector. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management. She currently serves on the Board of the Digital Supercluster and chairs the Board for the Mom2Mom Child Poverty Initiative, demonstrating her commitment to both innovation and community well-being.