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Lorena Vargas: "We women must open up a more equitable world in the forestry sector"
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In Conversation with Acoforag, Lorena Vargas, manager of Guivar Transforma, shared her experience leading a forestry company in a historically male-dominated industry, highlighting the challenges she has had to face and the importance of building a more equitable and innovative sector.
"I had to break down three major barriers at the beginning: proving that I wasn't here just because I was the daughter of one of the partners, making my way at just 20 years old fresh out of university, and working in an absolutely male-dominated world. All of that required double the effort," Vargas stated, emphasizing that this is a reality shared by many women in the industry.
The businesswoman acknowledged that this early experience became a driving force to generate change. "Today, as a businesswoman, I feel the responsibility to open up a world with more opportunities and diversity. Strategy, teams, and companies are enriched by different perspectives, and there, we leaders have a fundamental role," she affirmed.
Commercial change
The change from Comercial Guivar to Guivar Transforma in 2019 marked a turning point for the company. Under her leadership and that of her sister, the company incorporated innovation, strategic communication, and a vision focused on service and sustainability. "We are a renewable sector, we are located in small towns like Trehuaco or Coelemu, and what we do has a direct impact on the lives of local communities," she highlighted.
However, Vargas warned that the industry is facing a "perfect storm," with multiple factors threatening its development: raw material scarcity, the effects of climate change, unfair competition, and an export market with high uncertainty. "This forces us to innovate, to collaborate with other companies, and to work harder on traceability and the fight against illegal trade," she pointed out.
Circular economy
With family roots in the timber industry for over 40 years, Guivar Transforma has evolved from a small sawmill to a company recognized for its commitment to the circular economy and adding value to wood. "We transform from the forest to the end customer because we believe that wood is a renewable and essential product for the future," Vargas asserted.
Finally, the general manager emphasized that the challenge is not only entrepreneurial but also cultural: "The forestry sector needs more women, more innovation, and more public-private collaboration to face the times ahead. It hasn't been easy, but every step shows that it is possible to transform wood and also transform our way of leading."
The full interview on Acoforag's YouTube channel:
