Responsible Wood’s Directors are appointed by our members in accordance with our Constitution.
Johannes Drielsma AM
CHAIR (Independent)
B. Sc. For (Hons), M.F.S., M. Phil., Ph.D., FAICD, FIFA
Hans has worked in the forest industry for over 40 years. Following postgraduate studies in natural resource sociology at Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, he worked for Forests NSW and Forestry Tasmania. During his time in Tasmania, he led the introduction of environmental certification into the organisation, including Responsible Wood certification.
Since its inception, Hans has taken a leading role in the development of the Responsible Wood Certification Scheme, and its endorsement by PEFC. He was a Director of the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) Council from 2006 to 2016, and served on the PEFC International Governance Review Panel. He has also been instrumental in a more active multi-nation promotion of PEFC in the Asian region.
Craig Smith
Craig is dedicated to the work of representing and advancing the interests of workers in the forestry, furnishing and timber manufacturing industries and the principles of trade unionism. He has trade qualifications in cabinet making and wood machining, and a Certificate IV in business management and accounting.
He is the National Divisional Assistant Secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining & Energy Union, Manufacturing Division. He also has over 27 years’ experience as a paid official of the Union.
Craig is also a Member of two industry training and skills development advisory steering committees in NSW.
Craig is also a member of the Governance Committee.
Nathan Trushell
B. Sc (REM), MIFA
Nathan is Chief Executive Officer of VicForests. He has 25 years’ experience in natural resource management, during much of this time holding various senior forestry management positions within Victoria. He has a B.Sc in Resource and Environmental Management form the Australian National University, is a fellow of the World Forestry Institute and has completed management and director training at the Melbourne Business School and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Nathan is Chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Mark Thomson
B.Arch. A.D.B.E.T.
Mark is a multi-awarded Queensland Architect with over 30 years experience in the commercial building and design sector. He is the Immediate Past President of the AGDF (Australian Green Development Forum ), a Board member of the Griffith University Eco Centre and Faculty Member of the GBCA (Green Building Council of Australia).
Over the past 25 years, he has held company directorships in property development, hotel, design, environment and pollution technology organisations. He co-founded the Centre for Sub Tropical Design in 2005, whilst an Adjunct Professor at QUT, and was Corporate Sustainability Principal of the Schiavello Group of Companies, Australia’s largest commercial furniture manufacturer and fitout construction organisation.
In 2018, Mark was invited to the World Architecture Festival in Amsterdam to judge the PEFC Prize and since 2014 has been a Judge in the Australian Banksia Sustainability Awards. He is a current Greenstar and Earthcheck Accredited Professional, proficient with sustainability rating tools and an invited contributor to numerous industry magazines.
Mark is a regular lecturer at QUT and the University of Queensland who passionately advocates ESD (ecologically sustainable development). His consulting business “Eco Effective Solutions” offers design, project management, research and resource management services, to effectively deliver healthy living and working environments.
Katie Fowden
BA (Hons)
Katie is the Strategic Relations Manager for Hyne Timber, working with key stakeholders to promote the use of responsibly sourced timber in construction. She also represents Hyne Timber as a Director on the Hyne Tumbarumba Trust and the Queensland Government Biofutures Industry Advisory Council.
Katie has a diverse background having previously held an Executive Director position with the Northern Territory Government overseeing crisis media and corporate communications. She has a wealth of experience developing strategy and implementing social policy working with both Government and not-for-profit organisations.
Katie holds a BA Honours Degree in Social Policy and Criminology obtained from the UK University of Kingston Upon Hull.
Judy Alexander
B.Sc. (For), RPF
Judy is the Managing Director of Foresa Consulting. She has over 20 years’ experience in natural resource management in both the public and private sectors across Australia. She has been on the board of Australian Forest Growers for several years and has been a member of the Institute of Foresters of Australia for over 20 years.
Judy is a Registered Professional Forester with recognised specialist skills in forest certification. Throughout her career she has worked for companies to help them gain and maintain certification and is an accredited lead auditor.
Judy is a member of the Governance Committee.
Patrizia Torelli
Patrizia is the CEO of the Australasian Furnishing Association and is an energetic advocate for Australian furniture industry; representing 104,000 businesses and more than 420,000 Australians employed in the furniture and furnishing supply chain.
In this role Ms Torelli has been zealous in promoting the Australian furniture industry domestically and internationally, driving the industry and positioning the AFA to be a key voice across government, corporate and allied stakeholder groups.
Willie Van Niekerk
B.Eng (Mech), MBL
Willie is the General Manager of the Green Triangle for One Forty One Plantations, overseeing the One Forty One Plantations on-site plantation operations. With a background in manufacturing, Willie oversees more than 90,000 hectares of certified forest under the Responsible Wood certification scheme in one of Australia’s major forest regions.
Willie holds a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters Degree in Business Leadership.