Deborah Hawkinson

About Deborah Hawkinson

Deborah Hawkinson has served as the Forest Resources Association’s president since July 2012. She has a strong background in the forest industry, as well as in association management and public policy, successfully advancing advocacy efforts for industry issues and increasing member political activism. Prior to FRA, she served as executive director of the Washington, DC-based Hardwood Federation from 2007. Hawkinson expanded the organization’s government relations and communications capacities, as well as member participation. Prior to that, she spent seven years with increasing responsibilities at the American Forest & Paper Association, eventually as director of issues management, overseeing political involvement programs and grassroots communication, following a 14-year stint with Weyerhaeuser in their Federal Affairs office in Washington, DC. Hawkinson received the certification of a Certified Professional Coach, September 2021 from the College of Executive Coaching. She currently serves on the Women’s Forest Congress Advisory Council and 2021-22 President of Washington Industrial Roundtable (WIRT), a DC based executive level organization that meets monthly with members of Congress.

Experience

1. President

   Forest Resources Association

   Jul 2012 — Present · Washington, DC, US

   Deborah Hawkinson joined the Forest Resources Association (FRA) as President in July 2012. In this role, she oversees National Office administration, member relations, financial accountability, and FRA’s regional operations. As a result of Hawkinson’s leadership, FRA’s business and public policy goals are more closely aligned to increasing members’ political involvement and advocacy results in advancing federal public policy. In addition, the national organization remains a leader in addressing forest operation challenges and identifying best practices to enhance efficiencies within the supply chain.

Education

• College of Executive Coaching

  Certified professional Coach

• Regent University

  BS, Organizational Leadership