Chris Elwell

The Babson Center for Global Commerce welcomes Chris Elwell, C‘95, partner and managing director at Timberland Investment Resources (TIR), LLC, on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 4:30 PM in the duPont Torian Room. Please join us for a discussion on “Forests as Natural Climate Solutions: Tensions in the Paradigm.” This event is presented in collaboration with the Department of Earth and Environmental Systems. 

TIR is an investment firm that manages timberland assets for clients with a focus on sustainable forestry. Elwell oversees investment analytics for TIR and serves as chair of the company's Information Systems Committee. Additionally, Elwell manages a team of forest analysts and serves as TIR’s resident expert in carbon forestry and the monetization of forest-based carbon resources. Outside of his management positions at TIR, Elwell has authored articles published by prominent forestry publications. Elwell held two positions early in his career prior to joining TIR. First, he was staff Forester and Manager with Appalachian Sustainable Development working to improve the quality of forest practices. Then, he joined MeadWestvaco packaging and container company as the Business and Forester Analyst, focusing on the optimization of harvest scheduling models for areas in the Virginia region. 

Elwell’s love for nature was affirmed during his time at Sewanee, where he got his BA in Natural Resources. Later, Elwell earned his MS in Forestry from Yale University and an MBA from Kennesaw State University. During his time at Sewanee, Elwell served in leadership positions in the Outing Program and the Sewanee Forestry Club. Elwell leveraged his leadership excellence with these organizations to arrange events to “interact with forestry professionals and encourage social activity within the natural resources department.” Elwell’s search for a noble career began in his leadership roles with Sewanee’s Kappa Alpha Order. His role in Greek life was “an excellent laboratory for learning about governance. One gets a close, hands-on experience for how decisions get made in organizations.” Through his liberal arts education at Sewanee, Elwell gained many valuable traits, crediting his experience with the gift of “learning how to learn and enjoying it.” Elwell’s career has clearly exemplified the Sewanee student experience, which evokes curiosity and a strong desire to learn more about the world around you. 

Please join Chris Elwell for an engaging discussion on management, integrity, and how a liberal arts foundation can inspire innovation and leadership in the business world. We thank the Graham Executive in Residence program for making this discussion possible with a generous alumni gift from Diane and Henry H. Graham, Jr.