Dave Secord, Barnacle Strategies

Dave Secord is Principal of Barnacle Strategies, a consultancy that works with foundations, environmental and Indigenous NGOs, and academic institutions. In addition to advising funders and others, he runs executive searches in the philanthropic and non-profit domains. Earlier in his career, he was VP Strategic Grantmaking at Tides Canada Foundation, and Program Officer for Alaska and BC at the Seattle-based Wilburforce Foundation. He has long been active in funder affinity groups in land and marine conservation and Indigenous philanthropy, including co-founding and chairing the Arctic Funders Collaborative and serving on the board of the Canadian Environmental Grantmakers’ Network.

Before entering philanthropy, he was a professor and university leader for 12 years, where he guided research and educational initiatives and partnerships, and founded or directed two award-winning environmental programs at the University of Washington. He has been a Fellow of the International Canadian Studies Institute and the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, and completed the Rockwood Advanced Art of Leadership for Philanthropic Leaders. He serves on several charities’ boards; has visited 13 Canadian provinces and territories, the 50 US states and all continents; and has seen live 39 plays attributed to Shakespeare. He holds a PhD in Zoology (marine ecology) from the University of Washington and a BA in Ecology and Evolution from Pomona College, and has faculty appointments at Simon Fraser University and the University of Washington. He lives on Salt Spring Island, British Columbia.