David C. Bentall, Mentor Emeritus
David Bentall is a graduate of UBC's Commerce Faculty and Harvard's Business School. For twenty years David worked in his family's real estate and construction businesses. During that time he was personally involved in family business succession three times! (each from a radically different perspective.) While he was President and CEO of Dominion Construction the business doubled in size to just under $300 million in sales. David also played a leading role in several landmark projects across Canada including the widely acclaimed GM Place in Vancouver and the TD Centre Office Complex in downtown Winnipeg. He has lived and worked in Calgary, Toronto, Los Angeles and Vancouver. (including a stint with the Cadillac Fairview Shopping Center group)
After selling his interests in the family business, David was instrumental in assisting Vancouver/ Whistler during their successful domestic bid for the 2010 olympics. As the Founder of Next Step Advisors, David is now a family business consultant, personal life coach and public speaker.
He is also the founding chair of the Business Families Center at UBC. Other boards he has served on include, Hope International, Arrow Leadership, & Young Life of Canada. He was also Chairman of St. George's School and Vice-Chair of the BC Business Council.
As an athlete, he played on championship rugby teams with Magee High School and the University of BC. More recently he has competed in short course triathlons for many years, and today is a nationally ranked competitive water skier.( In 2001 he won a gold medal at the western Canadian Waterski Championships, and in 2002 he set a new BC record for Men's 4 slalom)
As a mentor, he brings 20 years of relevant experience living and working in a family business, and a fresh, insightful approach to resolving issues. David is a YPO-trained moderator, gifted facilitator, personal life coach, and outstanding speaker.
David and his wife Alison have been married for over 25 years, and they have four children.