About the Company
Our client, Flash Forest, is a leading innovator in drone-based reforestation, combining advanced aerial technology, ecological science, and carbon solutions to restore forests at scale. Constantly innovating, Flash Forest has recently introduced a new family of artificial intelligence tools for highly effective forest analysis (for both pre- and post-planting), and an innovative new ground-based deployer. Their mission is to make reforestation faster, smarter, and more scalable.
Scope of Position
Flash Forest is seeking a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead the company into its next phase of growth and expanded commercialization. This is a unique opportunity to steer one of the most promising climate-tech ventures in the world — a company that sits at the intersection of deep tech, natural systems, and climate finance.
The CEO will set the strategic vision, drive commercial success, and build the partnerships that define the company’s future. The ideal candidate brings a balance of entrepreneurial energy and disciplined execution — someone who can scale a mission-driven company from a startup into a global force for forest restoration. This role will build the leadership team, drive commercial expansion, and position the organization as a cornerstone of the emerging nature-based carbon economy.
What Success Looks Like
• Global Scale: Recognized as a cutting edge reforestation company, operating on multiple continents.
• Financial Strength: A diversified and resilient revenue model supports rapid, sustainable growth.
• Deep Partnerships: Long-term alliances with governments, NGOs, and corporations accelerate reforestation and carbon capture.
• Team Excellence: A high-performing, mission-driven culture attracts and retains exceptional talent.
• Lasting Impact: Millions of trees planted, many thousands of hectares restored, and measurable contributions to the planet’s carbon balance.
Functional Tasks
Set Vision and Strategy
• Working closely with the Board, define and communicate the long-term vision for the organization — aligning purpose, product, and profit.
• Lead strategic planning, capital allocation, and organizational goal setting.
• Translate mission into actionable growth strategies across reforestation and ecosystem restoration.
Drive Growth and Market Expansion
• Own the company’s revenue and profitability targets; deliver sustainable, scalable growth.
• Expand into new geographies and partnerships that multiply both impact and market share.
• Identify and develop new business models that monetize ecological and carbon value.
Build Partnerships that Move the Needle
• Forge alliances with governments, NGOs, corporations, and landowners to accelerate global reforestation.
• Position the company as the go-to partner for large-scale reforestation projects.
• Represent the company at global climate, ESG, and technology forums.
Lead an Exceptional Team
• Continue to build, inspire, and empower a world-class team across operations, technology, finance, sales & marketing, and business development.
• Cultivate a culture of accountability, innovation, and purpose — where great people do the best work of their lives.
• Guide the company through a shift from founder-led to professionally-scaled growth.
Steward Financial and Organizational Health
• Partner with the Board to ensure transparency, sound governance, and clear strategic alignment.
• Lead investor relations, and fundraising (if needed); manage capital responsibly to balance growth and mission.
• Oversee compliance across environmental, aviation, and international regulations.
Champion Innovation
• Keep the company at the forefront of forest restoration technologies.
• Drive continuous improvement in deployment efficiency, seed performance, and verification.
• Translate emerging science and policy into competitive advantage.
Competency Profile
The competencies listed below define the role of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Customer Focus
Identifies and anticipates customer needs and expectations, and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Communicates clearly and inspirationally with, and is available to, customers.
Strategy development
With demonstrated business acumen, steers corporate strategy, based on data-driven pragmatic assessments of the risks and benefits. Must be able to develop and clearly communicate the business case, including the obtainable market size and fit, anticipated margins, time-to-market, acceptable resource allocation, required investment, and defensibility, for all new projects. Must also be willing to course-correct in a timely manner on any project that does not live up to expectations.
Leadership
The expectation of leadership is not reserved solely for only those who are in positions of authority, but for all employees. They must inspire the team to demonstrate the highest integrity, and to be motivated by wanting to make a real difference by delivering a high-quality service for their customers and the organization. The CEO will invest in the development of the right people, and identify and develop future leaders, while coaching and providing candid feedback to others.
Teamwork
Is an effective team player who adds complementary skills and contributes valuable ideas, opinions and feedback. Communicates in an open and candid manner, and can be counted upon to fulfill any commitments made to others on the team. Ensures the right stakeholders are informed and involved where necessary.
Small company fit
Thinks and cares about the organization like an owner, because they will be! Must be willing to roll up their sleeves, and not rely upon having a large staff, always leading by example. Must be able to introduce the appropriate level of processes and procedures for scalable growth, but without stifling innovation or execution. Demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility and dedication to the success of the organization. Able to move fast, taking appropriate risks, while holding self and others accountable for measurable, high-quality, timely, and cost-effective results.
Preferred Experience / Education
• 15+ years of leadership experience, ideally at the CEO, President, COO, GM, or senior product leadership level, with a strong focus on driving commercialization and scaling growth-stage organizations.
• Experience bringing innovative technologies or solutions to market; exposure to forestry, climate tech, sustainability, natural capital, or adjacent sectors is an asset, but not required.
• Proven ability to scale organizations through rapid growth while maintaining operational discipline.
• Demonstrated success in building and executing go-to-market strategies and driving revenue growth.
• Experience closing complex, multi-year partnerships with enterprise clients, governments, or large institutions.
• Strong financial and strategic acumen, including experience managing P&L and contributing to capital strategy.
• A compelling communicator, capable of aligning diverse stakeholders including technical teams, investors, and external partners.
Remuneration & Benefits
• Competitive compensation package which will include significant equity incentive tailored to the successful candidate.
If interested, please contact:
Sal Rocco
StoneWood Group, Toronto, Canada
Bus: 416.500.7100
[email protected]
Shreya Rao
StoneWood Group, Toronto, Canada
Bus: 647 550 1654
[email protected]