Founder & Managing Director, Pinel & Associates

John founded Pinel & Associates to help Indigenous Nations and non-profits secure funding, strengthen governance, and develop policies that create lasting change. His work spans Indigenous rights advocacy in British Columbia, doctoral research in social policy at the London School of Economics, and UN-backed policy design for Colombia’s internally displaced populations during the height of the conflict in the early 2000s. Across these contexts, his focus has remained steady: advancing self-determination and sustainable development through community-led strategies.

Mentored by Aboriginal rights lawyer Richard Salter, John began his work in the 1990s with the Semiahmoo First Nation and Musqueam Indian Band, supporting community governance and resource stewardship. His later research at the LSE examined the challenges of natural resource management in Indigenous communities across the Americas—a focus that has shaped his work ever since.

Over the past 25 years, John has helped secure funding for major international conservation efforts, hospitals, and universities; advised national and local governments on resource policy; and led award-winning education and sport programs in Canada and the U.S. His contributions have been recognized with several honours, including Major League Soccer’s Community MVP Award and the LSE’s Titmuss Prize for excellence in social policy research.

At Pinel & Associates, John leads a team of specialists and strategic generalists, ensuring that funding, governance, and policy solutions are integrated, actionable, and built to last.

Connect with John and the Pinel & Associates team to learn how we can support your mission.