CFFS Distinguished Lecture with David Brand

Join the Center for the Future of Forests and Society for “Forestry and the Transition to a Sustainable Society” with Dr. David Brand, a globally recognized leader at the intersection of forestry, sustainable finance and conservation.

He is Executive Chair of Standwell Forest Investments, a company focused on investing in sustainable land-use partnerships with First Nations in British Columbia, Canada. He is also the Director of David Brand Foundation, which supports education in conservation and sustainable forestry finance.

David holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry from the University of Toronto and a PhD in Forestry from the University of British Columbia (UBC). He began his career with the Canadian Forest Service, where he rose to become Director of Scientific Programs and later National Director-General of Science and Sustainable Development.

David subsequently brought his scientific and policy expertise into the world of investment. He founded New Forests, an Australia- based firm, and led it from being a small startup to a leading global forestry and agricultural investment firm managing more than US$8 billion in assets globally. He also served as the inaugural Chair of the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition.

In 2023, UBC recognized David with its Alumni Award for Entrepreneurship, honoring his international leadership in forestry investment and his commitment to using finance as a force for a more sustainable future.