Women's Leadership Summit
Elevate | Empower | Inspire
The energy in the room at the Southern Forest Products Association's inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit, held at the 38th Forest Products EXPO in Nashville on August 7, 2025, was undeniable.
Over lunch, laughter, and honest storytelling, industry leaders came together to reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and how women are reshaping leadership in the forest products industry.
SFPA’s Executive Director, Eric Gee, opened with a candid acknowledgment: leadership in this field has long looked one way—but change is here, and events like this are part of it. “When women are part of leadership, teams thrive, communities grow stronger, and doors open for everyone,” he said.
From there, the stage belonged to four powerhouse women: Donna Whitaker, Dr. Heidi Adams, Heidi Danbrook, and Kim Drew. Their conversation wasn’t a lecture — it was a window into their journeys, complete with risks, failures, wins, and lessons that apply to anyone, regardless of gender.
- On first jobs: Teaching botany, teaching English, PR roles at Georgia Pacific—none of them knew at the time those paths would define their careers.
- On challenges: Self-doubt, layoffs, and navigating male-dominated spaces. Each learned to lean on mentors, stay resilient, and trust their expertise.
- On risks: Moving across the country for a PhD, launching a business with no guaranteed income, traveling alone around the globe for sales. Every risk was scary. Every risk was worth it.
- On mentorship: It doesn’t stop when you “make it.” Mentors can be bosses, professors, even your own children. And sometimes you have to admit when you’ve failed as a mentor and try again.
- On advice to their younger selves: Be brave. Be passionate. Be honest. Don’t take yourself too seriously. And don’t forget to enjoy Mondays as much as Fridays.
The conversation ended with a challenge: keep this momentum going. Make space for balance, elevate women who are already in the industry, and keep lifting each other up.
As Donna Whitaker reminded everyone, “Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up, speaking up, and lifting people up.”
The future of leadership in the forest products industry? It looks more diverse, more balanced, and more collaborative than ever before. And this summit was just the beginning.v
Will you join us in 2026? Check out a recap of the 2025 Women's Leadership Summit below!
Donna Whitaker brings more than 32 years of experience in the lumber industry, where she has held pivotal roles and forged a legacy of leadership and mentorship.
Dr. Heidi Adams is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and an associate professor of wildlife habitat management in Louisiana Tech University’s forestry program. Originally from east Nebraska, she attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she earned a BS and a MS in 2004 and 2006, respectively.
Heidi Danbrook has been a key figure in the global lumber industry for more than 25 years, serving as sales manager at Gilbert. With a deep specialization in planermill equipment, Heidi has played an instrumental role in expanding Gilbert’s international presence, helping to sell and install machinery in more than 20 countries worldwide.
Founded in May 1996, Drew Public Relations, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service public relations firm. In the years since, Kim Drew has represented clients around the world through standalone public relations activities and/or as part of an integrated marketing team.