Welcome Remarks Wednesday

Eric Karsh, Founding Principal, Equilibrium

Welcome Remarks by Master of Ceremonies

8:15 – 8:25

Eric Karsh is the founding partner of Equilibrium, a globally recognized leader in timber engineering and construction since 1998, with offices in Vancouver, Atlanta, and Paris.

With over 35 years of experience as a structural engineer, Eric has played a pivotal role in shaping the international timber industry. His portfolio includes numerous landmark, award-winning projects, such as the Wood Innovation and Design Centre in British Columbia, Mass Timber One (MT1)—Google’s first mass timber office building, located in Sunnyvale, California, and the Créteil Schoolboard office building in Paris, France.

Renowned for his innovative design approach and dedication to sustainable construction, Eric has received international recognition for advancing environmentally responsible building practices. He is a Fellow of the Institution of Structural Engineers (UK) and a part owner of BC Passive House, a leader in the prefabrication of wood-based, high-performance building systems.

Rob Manuel, Business Development Strategic Advisor, BC First Nations Forestry Council

Tree to Home: Shaping Mass Timber Together

Rob Manuel, a First Nation professional and dual citizen of Canada and Australia, serves as Strategic Advisor with the BC First Nations Forestry Council. He works alongside First Nations to activate the full spectrum of forest-sector opportunities — not only harvesting and processing, but stewardship, wildfire risk reduction, ecosystem services, and cultural values.

With over 25 years of resource-sector experience, including international work in energy, Rob brings a systems perspective to the design and assurance of projects. He is committed to supporting First Nations as full partners in shaping the future of British Columbia’s forest economy — where mass timber, prefabrication, and new approaches to sustainable construction align with community priorities and long-term prosperity.

Rob views forestry not just as an industry, but as a platform for First Nation self-determination, innovation, and intergenerational wealth creation.