#221: Ben Christensen, CEO of Cambium – $28M for Smarter Timber Supply Chains. Global Wood Demand 3x by 2050. Half Coming from Fallen Trees. TIME’s Best Invention 2024.

Cambium is on a mission to build better supply chains for the timber industry.

Through their operating system, Traece, they make it easy to source sustainable and local Carbon Smart Wood™ from fallen trees at large scales.

They’ve won awards, including Fast Company’s “Most Innovative” and TIME’s Best Invention 2024.

Before Cambium, Ben worked at Sandia National Laboratories and Global Hydrologic Solutions. He is also a Forbes 30 under 30 and NOLS-certified Wilderness First Responder.

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✅ Here are 6 topics we covered in the podcast:

1. Founder Origins

Ben traces his passion for forestry to his childhood in rural New Mexico. He combined that love with advanced studies at Yale, shaping Cambium’s mission.

2. Massive Market Opportunity

Global wood demand will triple by 2050, yet half of U.S. needs could come from salvaged timber. Cambium’s platform unlocks this potential through streamlined sourcing.

3. How Cambium Works

By connecting tree-care services, sawmills, and manufacturers, they reduce waste and shorten procurement cycles. Major buyers include furniture, millwork, and mass timber firms.

4. Leadership and Culture

Ben’s leadership style reflects lessons from backcountry guiding, where proactive teamwork can prevent crises. He also applies extreme ownership principles, ensuring accountability for missed goals.

5. Scaling with Intention

Cambium is expanding its team across forestry, tech, and sales, seeking low-ego, high-impact talent. Ben emphasizes adaptability and shared values over industry-specific experience.

6. Staying Grounded

Ben stays focused with daily checklists, intentional routines, and physical play like soccer. He recommends The Hard Thing About Hard Things and Deep Survival for fellow builders.

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🙏 SHOUT OUTS:

Please give Ben and Cambium some love by sharing this podcast with your people on LinkedIn, Slack, or X.

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🔗 PODCAST SHOW LINKS:

Ben Christensen - https://www.linkedin.com/in/btchr

Cambium - https://cambiumcarbon.com

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🤔 PODCAST HOST:

Dr. Chris Wedding is a CEO coach, investor, serial founder, board member, professor, and occasional monk. Daily LinkedIn posts on climate tech startups, CEOs, and finance here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherwedding