Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Board Director
Chair, Finance & Audit Committee · 2025—Present
Nelson ChanVictoria · British Columbia
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NC / 01
Executive leadership · Governance · Investing
Nelson
Chan
MBA, FCPA, FCMA
FinanceGovernanceInfrastructureTechnologyPublic service
A cross-sector perspective
Clarity for decisions that matter.
Nelson Chan is a Canadian executive and board director whose career has centred on the point where financial stewardship, strategy and execution meet.
As Chief Financial Officer of the Capital Regional District, he helps lead one of British Columbia’s largest regional governments. His executive responsibilities span finance, technology, asset management, procurement, risk and insurance.
More than 25 years across public institutions, Crown corporations, national enterprises and private companies have shaped a leadership style grounded in curiosity, clear thinking and an understanding of the people affected by every decision. His early career included executive experience in the United States and with the Canadian division of Sega Amusements, adding an international perspective to his work across sectors and organizations.
Good decisions require more than good numbers. They require judgment, perspective and courage.
Current appointments
Constructive challenge.
Long-term stewardship.
Boards must ask whether an institution is pursuing the right objectives, assuming the right risks, allocating resources wisely and remaining accountable to those it serves.
CPA Education Foundation
Vice-Chair of the Board
Board of Governors · 2024—Present
CPA Western School of Business
Committee Member
Admissions & Standards Appeal Committee · 2023—Present
Royal Roads University
Board Chair & Chancellor
Board of Governors · 2018—2026
Community Living British Columbia
Board Director
Finance & Audit Committee · 2018—2022
Selected experience
One career.
Multiple vantage points.
01
Capital Regional District
Chief Financial Officer
Public institution02
Canada Post Corporation
Senior finance leadership
Crown corporation03
Roots Canada
Finance & business leadership
National enterprise04
WRH Realty Services · Sega Amusements
Earlier leadership roles
Private sectorExecutive & board advisory
Independent perspective for consequential decisions.
Nelson works selectively with boards, executives and business owners when finance, governance, infrastructure, technology and organizational change intersect.
Engagements can range from focused reviews and facilitated workshops to ongoing executive advisory relationships.
Discuss an engagementBoard & Committee Effectiveness
Strengthening mandates, reporting, oversight and the relationships among boards, CEOs and CFOs.
Strategic CFO Advisory
Independent perspective on financial strategy, organizational priorities and consequential decisions.
Capital & Infrastructure Planning
Reviewing long-term capital plans, affordability, funding strategies and major business cases.
Finance & Corporate Services Transformation
Practical roadmaps spanning finance, technology, procurement, risk and shared services.
Executive Transitions & Special Situations
Experienced support through leadership changes, audit remediation and complex initiatives.
Technology & AI Governance
Helping boards and executives evaluate investments, risks, oversight and organizational readiness.
Carmali Holdings
Relationships first.
Capital with context.
Through Carmali Holdings, Nelson co-leads a group of investors - long-standing colleagues whose relationships have been built over many years - to pursue selected investments, partnerships and entrepreneurial opportunities together.
The group brings complementary capital, operating experience, governance perspective and networks to opportunities where it can contribute beyond funding. Its interests include infrastructure, technology and artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, energy and resilience, and private investment.
It is open to conversations with business owners, co-owners and prospective partners who value patient capital, collaborative thinking and active, constructive governance.
InfrastructureTechnology & AIDigital infrastructureEnergy & resilience
Ideas worth discussing
Better questions create better decisions.
Notes and conversations on the issues shaping leadership, capital and institutions.
Governance
The practical work of boards, fiduciary responsibility and institutional stewardship.
The modern CFO
How finance leadership now connects strategy, technology, risk, people and execution.
Public finance
Making durable choices about infrastructure, sustainability and public value.
Technology & AI
The questions emerging technology creates for executives, boards and institutions.
Good ideas usually begin with a conversation.