David L. Secord, Ph.D.

Dave Secord is descended from Alaskans, trained as a marine invertebrate ecologist, and has evolved into strategic philanthropy for conservation and communities. As principal of Barnacle Strategies, a consultancy based on Salt Spring Island, BC, he works closely with foundations, environmental and Indigenous organizations, and academic institutions. Beyond advising funders and others, he does executive recruiting in the philanthropic and non-profit realms. Earlier in his career, he served as founding VP of Strategic Grantmaking at Tides Canada Foundation, and as the Program Officer for Alaska and BC at 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.