Kristin Dewira: Aligning Diverse Perspectives for Stronger Sustainability Progress

At APRIL, sustainability is not a side initiative. It is embedded in how every department operates, from managing forests responsibly and running mills efficiently to working closely with surrounding communities.

To ensure these efforts remain aligned with the company’s broader sustainability targets, APRIL established the Sustainability Programme team. The team works closely with departments and key stakeholders to coordinate projects and keep progress on track.

Meet Kristin Dewira, the Sustainability Programme Team Assistant Manager.

Kristin’s responsibilities include project management, conducting benchmarking analyses to compare APRIL’s initiatives with those of peer companies, and engaging stakeholders. She also serves as secretariat for APRIL’s and APRIL2030. “This involves ensuring alignment in implementation processes across internal teams and external stakeholders,” Kristin explains.

Since joining the Sustainability Programme team in 2019, one of Kristin’s proudest achievements has been serving as project coordinator for the High Conservation Value (HCV) - High Carbon Stock (HCS) Assessment for APRIL’s supply partners and community forests.

HCV means areas with significant environmental, social, or cultural value, such as vital ecosystems or critical community resources. HCS focuses on identifying and protecting natural forests to prevent carbon emissions.

“The HCV-HCS assessment ensures APRIL’s operations respect both ecological values and community rights,” Kristin explains. “Successfully coordinating this project confirms both the company’s commitment and my ability to manage complex, cross-functional projects while balancing different inputs from every stakeholder involved.”

Such an achievement has a deeper meaningful for Kristin because she did not begin her career in sustainability.

Navigating the Career Shift from IT to Sustainability

Kristin joined APRIL in 2016 as an IT engineer, focusing on systems, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving. Sustainability was not part of her original career plan.

“Spending time in this company made me realise how closely our business is connected to environmental aspects,” Kristin says. That realisation inspired her to contribute more directly to the company’s sustainability commitments. “Then there was an opening in the Sustainability Programme team. I applied, and made a career shift.”

However, forestry standards, conservation methodologies, and sustainability reporting frameworks were entirely new territory for Kristin. Her new role pushed her out of the office, walking through plantations, visiting conservation sites, and connecting with people from different teams and communities.

“I never hesitated to ask questions and seek help, not only from my direct superiors but also across departments,” Kristin explains her approach. “It really works. It helps me understand their perspectives better and leads to smoother collaboration to achieve targets.”

Thriving as a Woman in Forestry and Sustainability

Forestry is often perceived as a male-dominated sector. At APRIL, however, Kristin says the company’s supportive culture helps ensure women can pursue their careers without barriers.

“I feel confident pursuing this path because APRIL has always recognised the importance of diversity. There are equal opportunities for women through mentorship programmes, training, and leadership initiatives that empower women to advance their careers,” she says.

This commitment to promoting women into leadership roles is part of APRIL2030’s Inclusive Progress pillar. As of 2024, women represent 18.1 percent of the workforce, with a goal of reaching 20 percent. The company continues to make progress each year while providing tools and platforms that enable women to grow in ways that align with their aspirations.

Looking ahead, Kristin is determined to sustain this supportive culture and extend the same opportunities to others, especially women. She already puts this into practice every day within her team.

“My experience tells me that diverse perspectives really matter. I always encourage my team to share their views,” Kristin says. “They might think their input is small or unimportant, but to me it matters. It helps people see that there is always another way to approach something, leading to sharper decision-making and better results.”

Kristin’s journey shows that when women are heard and supported to thrive in their own way, it drives progress not only for individuals, but for the entire organisation.