Doug Tolson — Board Member

I was born and raised in Victoria and have lived in the city my whole life, except for the four years after university when I lived and worked in Ottawa. I have also travelled internationally. I spent almost all of my 20s in university which led, initially, to a career in science where, during graduate school and after, I specialized in studying immunology and tropical diseases. However, by my mid-30s I knew that science wasn’t going to be my long term path; though I also knew that I wanted to leverage my science knowledge.

To this end, during my mid-30s through to my early 50s, I acquired business expertise and spent about 15 years working at the University of Victoria in a number of administrative and organizational roles. These included: helping adults change careers; supporting student and faculty inventors and entrepreneurs; mentoring not-for-profit groups; working with the special needs community; coordinating fundraising and revenue generation from federal, provincial, philanthropic and private sector sources; and helping organize and grow large UVic projects under strategic sustainability models.

At this point, one of the things I am starting to do, along with exploring some new hobbies, is to look for new and aligning volunteer opportunities, where I can work with individuals or small groups in a meaningful and supportive capacity. I’m glad to be contributing to Connections Place as a Board Member, and offering my support and experience.