Don is a Senior Counsel at Global Public Affairs with decades of experience in diverse roles spanning the BC government, private sector, and academia. He is a sought-after public policy expert who brings an unmatched perspective and insight into the Canadian policy, economic, and political landscape.
Don served as BC’s Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service until late 2020. His public sector experience includes key positions in the Saskatchewan and British Columbia governments as Secretary to the Treasury Board and Deputy Minister across several ministries, including forests, trade and investment, and education. He has also held several senior positions in academia and the private sector, notably as President of the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT), President and CEO of Central 1 Credit Union, and Vice-President of Forestry, Environment and Corporate Affairs with Weldwood of Canada.
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Saskatchewan, a Masters in Economics from the University of British Columbia, and a PhD in Economics from Harvard University. He currently sits as a Fellow with the Public Policy Forum of Canada and is a Senior Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute.