Duncan Wilson is a seasoned executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning the maritime sector, government, and not-for-profit organizations. Throughout his career, he has been a strong advocate for marine conservation, climate action, and sustainable development, helping shape policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Between 2003 and 2024, Mr. Wilson held progressively senior roles at the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, starting as a government affairs advisor and serving most recently as Vice-President of Environment and External Affairs. Across his 21 years of service, including 13 on the Executive Leadership Team, he was responsible for community, Indigenous and government relations, ecosystem management and environmental programs, climate action and sustainability leadership, project and environmental reviews, external communications, issues management, as well as customer engagement and trade development. A cornerstone of his work was building long-term partnerships with Indigenous communities, including the successful negotiation of landmark relationship agreements and project-specific collaborations that supported economic development and environmental stewardship. He also led the integration of sustainability into every aspect of business planning for Canada’s largest port, which led the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority to receive various accolades, including the Ocean Wise Conservation Leadership Corporate Social Responsibility Award, the North American Environmental Protection Award, the Lloyd’s List Americas Environmental Award, and the Governance Professionals of Canada Award for Sustainability.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Wilson worked in marketing and communications for the BC Pavilion Corporation, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, and his own communications agency.
Mr. Wilson’s career is underscored by a passion for public service and inclusion. He has been a trailblazer for 2SLGBTQI+ representation, serving as one of British Columbia’s first openly gay elected officials in the 1990s, when he served three consecutive terms as a park commissioner. He was a long-serving member of the board of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, including as Chair, and has served on the boards of the Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping, the Vancouver Aboriginal Skills and Employment Program, and a variety of other community organizations. In recognition of his contributions, he was awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal and a Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal.
Mr. Wilson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Simon Fraser University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Financial Strategy from the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, and a Director designation (ICD.D) from the Institute of Corporate Directors.