Findlay MacRae

Executive Director, Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre

Findlay MacRae is Executive Director of Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre, an Acadia University established not-for-profit organisation. Its mission is helping entrepreneurs strengthen rural Nova Scotia.

Findlay has 30 years of leadership experience managing not-for-profit organisations, both in the private and public sectors. Throughout his career his role has involved challenges and opportunities, and leading or fostering an entrepreneurial attitude within a not-for-profit environment. This has involved various enterprises including creating new business opportunities and revenue streams, developing new services, negotiating joint ventures, client and stakeholder relationships and developing people.

Findlay's career before joining Acadia Entrepreneurship Centre was focused in the agricultural sector where, after working on farms as a youth, he gained experience in agricultural research before spending eleven years managing grain marketing and handling enterprises. He then spent eight years managing operations and leading a team of agricultural specialists with AgraPoint, a crown agency that provided development and consulting services to the agricultural and agri-food sectors.

Findlay is currently on the board of the Annapolis Valley Chamber of Commerce. Much of Findlay's spare time is devoted to developing community soccer and coaching at youth and senior levels, and he is currently Associate Head Coach of Acadia University Men's Soccer. Findlay has twice been recognised as the Atlantic University Coach of the Year and was the Canadian U-Sports Coach of the Year in 2016.