Managing Director, FSC Indigenous Foundation

Minnie Degawan was appointed as the new Managing Director of the FSC Indigenous Foundation (FSC-IF), effective March 1, 2025. 

Minnie, a distinguished member of the Kankanaey-Igorot people from the Cordillera region of the Philippines, brings over 30 years of experience advocating for Indigenous Peoples and sustainability. She has held prominent leadership positions, including Social Safeguards Consultant for The Nature Conservancy and Director of the Indigenous Peoples Program at Conservation International. Her unwavering dedication to integrating Indigenous knowledge into global forest management and strengthening Indigenous cultural landscapes makes her exceptionally well-suited for this role.

Her vision aligns closely with FSC-IF’s mission to advance Indigenous Peoples’ rights through collaboration, inclusivity, and empowerment. Throughout her career, she has ensured that Indigenous rights are upheld across various sectors, including meaningful engagement with the business and forestry industries. This role presents a valuable opportunity to fulfill her long-held vision of bridging the social, economic, and environmental gap and opportunities with Indigenous communities.