Speaker Bio - David Mitchell

David Mitchell is the President & CEO of CCVO (Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations), a leading capacity builder of nonprofits in Alberta.

He has a broad professional background, spanning the private, public and education sectors. A former member of the British Columbia Legislature, he has also served as Deputy Clerk of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. His significant private sector business experience includes executive positions in the resource industries in western Canada and he has also served as a vice-president at three Canadian universities: Simon Fraser, the University of Ottawa and Queen's, as well as Vice President, College Advancement & Chief External Relations Officer at Bow Valley College in Calgary.

Mr. Mitchell holds a Master’s degree in Canadian and American history and is an award-winning writer and former newspaper columnist. He contributes commentaries to several newspapers and magazines and serves as a frequent public affairs commentator on television and radio. He is a Contributing Writer to Policy magazine and a Senior Fellow with The Angus Reid Institute.

The father of two daughters, he is married to author and women’s advocate, Shari Graydon. 

Mr. Mitchell is a Governor and Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and past president of Canada's Public Policy Forum. He also previously served on the boards of the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Great Canadian Theatre Company, the Parliamentary Centre, the Vancouver Aquarium and Marine Science Centre and the Vancouver Art Gallery.