Podcasts

Season 2 | Women in Forestry | Episode 7

#23 | Pioneering young woman in forestry roles wherever she has gone

March 29, 2017 | Kelly Norris

Kelly Norris is a District Forester with the Wyoming State Forestry Division. Throughout her career, Kelly has often been the first woman among all-male coworkers, sometimes the first woman forester anyone had seen, especially in small towns and remote locations. So she has learned some things about being a pioneer, about coping with special circumstances, and about moving from being an individual contributor to being a people manager. She knows that discrimination can be frustrating and a huge challenge to overcome. Hear her stories and heartfelt advice on this week’s episode!

Key Takeaways:

[3:40] How did Kelly become involved in forestry?

[8:55] You never stop learning in forestry.

[9:05] What is the collaboration program in natural resources about?

[12:35] Who can join this program?

[16:40] What did Kelly learn the most while attending the collaboration program?

[21;15] What was Kelly’s first leadership role like?

[24:35] Kelly discusses her experience as often being the ‘first woman’ to achieve certain milestones.

[28:10] Why were the other male foresters afraid of Kelly?

[32:00] Unfortunately, with being the first woman to enter into a lot of these rural places, Kelly has experienced discrimination.

[40:35] What kind of mentors has Kelly had?

[47:30] How can men make the work environment more welcoming to women?

[48:50] What is Kelly most proud of in her career so far?

[54:45] What makes a good leader?

[1:02:50] Tom’s Leadership Tip of the Week!

Mentioned in This Episode:
Wsfd.wyo.gov/
The Collaboration Program in Natural Resources:
http://www.uwyo.edu/haub/ruckelshaus%2dinstitute/collaborative-solutions/cpnr/index.html
www.LeadershipNature.com

Kelly at an Arbor Day event celebrating Sheridan College becoming the first Tree Campus USA in Wyoming.