Each year, alumni UBC recognizes outstanding alumni across all faculties who have enriched the lives of others and significantly contributed to the University. In 2020, one of the Alumni Builder awards went to Domenico Iannidinardo (BSF 2001) for his continuing support of Forestry students.
In his current role as Chief Forester and Vice President of Forest and Logistics at Mosaic Forest Management, Domenico ensures that forest land is available for UBC researchers and Forestry student field trips. He serves as a Tri-Mentor to Forestry students, and participates in regular syllabus review processes.
In addition, he was instrumental in establishing a new UBC student award for indigenous Forestry graduate students in 2018 through Mosaic. Seraphine Munroe, the first recipient of the award, said, “If forestry companies can help advance the education of indigenous students, it shows they are making advances toward reconciliation.”
After graduating with a BSF in 2001, Domenico achieved concurrent registration as a Professional Forester (RPF), Engineer (P.Eng.) and Biologist (RPBio), the first person in BC to do so. He went on to receive an MBA from Royal Roads University.
He initially worked with Mosaic predecessor companies, Pacific Forest Products and TimberWest, where he was first appointed Chief Forester and Vice President in 2013. Mosaic is the largest private land timber producer in Canada, and includes lands that were the first in Canada to become certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative in 2000.
In 2018 Mosaic Forest Management was created through the affiliation of Island Timberlands and TimberWest.
In September 2020, Mosaic became the only forestry company in BC to achieve Progressive Aboriginal Relations (PAR) Silver Level Certification, a signal that the company is a committed partner in achieving positive outcomes in indigenous relationships. The PAR program is operated by the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, and was established in 2001.
“I’m very proud to lead our PAR program,” Domenico says. “Working with our employees to achieve these high standards is part of our commitment to prosperity in Aboriginal communities and indigenous timber supply.”
Also, through Mosaic, Domenico ensures that land is available to UBC researchers for studies and to students for field trips. “We usually host field trips for six or seven courses each year, and I participate whenever I can,” he says.
In 2020 Domenico joined the UBC Forestry Tri-Mentoring program, which helps students explore their career ambitions, gain confidence, and learn how to market themselves. “I’m thoroughly enjoying mentoring the students I’ve been partnered with,” he says. “Everyone has mentors in their lives, and I am pleased to help students, especially during these unusual times through the global COVID-19 pandemic. At Mosaic, we had to cancel our summer student program in 2020 and freeze all hiring, which was an unfortunate setback. 2021 is looking much brighter so far.”
Domenico also serves as Industry Co-Chair of the Forest Genetics Council, Chair of the Canadian Association of Forest Owners, and is the Past President of the Association of Professional Biology, which represents over 1000 biology professionals in western Canada.
Most recently, Domenico has joined the Forest Summit Task Force on Knowledge, Skills and High Quality Persons, led by Professor Sally Aitkin, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation. This task force is one of six charged with developing a recommended action plan to realize the shared vision that emerged from the Forest Summit in February 2020.
In 2016, Domenico was named one of BC’s Top forty Under 40 by Business in Vancouver magazine. In 2014, Canadian Forest Industries named him one of the Top 10 Under 40.
The UBC Alumni Builder Award was created in 2017. Domenico becomes the sixth UBC Forestry alumnus to receive the award. The Faculty of Forestry congratulates him on this well-deserved honour.
