Meet Lori Walker, Founder & Executive Director of NAWT
Lori began her career in the timber industry in 2006 with Hancock Forest Management in Smethport, Pennsylvania, where she worked as an Administrative Assistant following the company’s acquisition of 130,000 acres of timberland. In this role, Lori was exposed to all facets of the industry and built lasting relationships while learning from professionals across the sector.
After ten years with Hancock, Lori transitioned to GreenWood Resources as Regional Project Administrator, relocating to Spartanburg, South Carolina in 2016. While working in the Southeast, Lori recognized a gap she had experienced throughout her career: women in the timber industry were highly capable and deeply committed, yet often lacked access to professional networks, peer support, education, and visible pathways for growth and leadership. When she discovered no existing organization bringing women together in this space, she set out to create one.
That vision became reality on May 22, 2019, when 33 women gathered for the first meeting of what would
become Carolina Women in Timber. The strong turnout confirmed both the need and demand for
connection, education, and shared experience among women working across the timber industry. With encouragement and support from industry leaders and mentors, the organization continued to grow.
Today, NAWT serves women nationwide through education, professional connection, and leadership
development, with the broader goal of supporting a strong, sustainable timber industry for years
to come. In 2025, the organization expanded nationally and officially became the National
Association of Women in Timber.
Volunteer Staff
Olivia Black
Operations & Strategy Coordinator
operations@nawomenintimber.org
As the Operations & Strategy Coordinator for the organization, Olivia manages strategic planning and day-to-day operations to help move the mission forward. Her background and current role at Crossbar, a youth sports technology platform, have shaped her perspective on organizational growth and operating toward clear, measurable goals. With experience spanning process improvement, product management, marketing, and high-level leadership, Olivia brings a thoughtful, systems-focused approach to strategy and execution. She is passionate about building strong foundations that support sustainable growth, and is particularly excited to help support the organization's work toward national expansion this year.
While Olivia does not work directly in the timber industry, she has grown up surrounded by many who do, including her mother, Lori, the organization’s Executive Director. This has given her a second-hand view into all things timber and a lifelong connection to the industry and the mission. When not working at her job or for NAWT, you can find Olivia focused on some sort of fitness goal - anything from running a marathon or competing in HYROX. Olivia also enjoys spending time with her husband, Ethan, and 2 year old daughter, Mallory.
Communications & Marketing Coordinator
communications@nawomenintimber.org
Heather Holznagel
Heather is nearing ten years of experience working in a support role within the timber industry. She began her career in 2016 with Manulife Investment Management, formerly known as Hancock Forest Management, where she served as an administrative assistant. In this role, she became deeply immersed in the behind-the-scenes operations of a working forest—supporting agreements with planting contractors and loggers, managing load tickets from logging operations, assigning gate keys, handling sale and delivery contracts with mills, overseeing a recreation permit program, and coordinating a wide range of additional administrative responsibilities.
In 2020, Heather’s role evolved as she began supporting the Value Added Services team across both timberland and agricultural assets. This work included involvement with recreation programs, carbon projects, oil and gas initiatives, and other renewable energy efforts. Currently based in Washington State, Heather has since returned her focus to the timber side of the business, serving as a remote administrative assistant supporting properties in Michigan, Wisconsin, Maine, Pennsylvania, and New York. Heather finds great fulfillment in contributing to the behind-the-scenes work that enables the hardworking boots on the ground, and she takes pride in supporting the people and processes that keep forests working and sustainable.
Meet the Board
Presidentpresident@nawomenintimber.org
Madeline Feltman
Madeline has worked in the timber and natural resource industry for over 13 years with Orbis, Inc., where her work focuses on bridging technology, data, and land management to help organizations better understand their land, improve decision making, and drive revenue. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Animal and Veterinary Science and a master’s degree in Agricultural Education from Clemson University.
Based in Abbeville, South Carolina, Madeline values the opportunity to work alongside other women in the timber industry through National Association of Women in Timber, fostering connection, collaboration, and shared experience. Outside of work, she enjoys lake weekends, time at the beach, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family.
Vice Presidentvp@nawomenintimber.org
Cierra Ward
Cierra has over 19 years of experience in forestry and has served in various roles in forest management including supervising harvesting, silvicultural operations, wood flow, and planning functions. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Masters of Forestry from the University of Florida and is a NC and SC Registered Forester as well as an SAF Certified Forester. Cierra is a Fellow of the NC Natural Resources Leadership Institute and was recognized by the University of Florida as one of their Top 40 Under 40 graduates.
Currently, Cierra serves on the Board of Directors of the FRA, Wayne Community College Forestry Advisory Committee, and NC Forestry Association who named her Advocate of the Year in 2024.
Cierra and her husband Seth live on a small farm they call East Crosscut Draw near Jacksonville, NC where they raise their two daughters, Taven and Mavrie.
Simone Handfield graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, earning degrees in Economics and Mathematics. She began her career in finance before discovering a strong alignment between her analytical skill set and her passion for the outdoors within the timber industry. As a member of the transactions team, Simone helps lead underwriting and valuation efforts for acquisitions and dispositions, bringing rigorous financial analysis and a deep commitment to sustainable land stewardship. She is driven by a belief that lifelong learning and curiosity are essential to advancing both the forestry sector and one’s personal and professional growth.
In her role as a board member of the National Association of Women in Timber, Simone is dedicated to championing women’s leadership, fostering industry knowledge, and supporting the next generation of professionals in forestry. Outside of her career, she is an avid runner and leads a 150+ person run club in Charlotte every Wednesday!
Secretarysecretary@nawomenintimber.org
Simone Handfield
Kathy has worked at Manulife Invest Management (formerly Hancock Forest Mgmt) in both Corporate and Property Accounting for 18 years. She has been able to learn all aspects of accounting as she worked her way from Accounting Assistant to Accountant III. Mentoring other people and helping them learn how exciting Timber Accounting can be brings her joy. Interacting weekly, if not daily with Foresters and Loggers to help them accomplish their objectives is very important to her. But more important, is mentoring other women in professional and her personal life.
When she is not at work, she loves being out in nature. She finds camping, hiking, and gardening to be calming and rewarding. Her tradition of reading over 50 books each year keeps her learning new things. As a new grandmother, she makes frequent trips with her husband and her 98 lb rescue dog ( Thor) to see their granddaughter in the Asheville NC area from their Charlotte area home.
As a baking enthusiast, she enjoys bringing her coworkers treats to enjoy. She has volunteered in food banks in the Charlotte area and wants to increase her role helping as time allows.
Treasurertreasurer@nawomenintimber.org
Kathy Kiker
