With over 30 years of experience in sustainability, including a quarter-century of service with the Fraser Basin Council, Bob Purdy is known for his ability to foster informed, collaborative and solution-oriented dialogues that drive meaningful change. As the independent facilitator of the ECHO Program since 2014, Bob has enabled a diversity of voices from the marine industry, Indigenous communities, federal government agencies, environmental organizations and others to work together to reduce the impact of commercial shipping on at-risk whales off British Columbia’s southern coast.
His expertise in relationship-building and communications has turned once-tense discussions into productive collaborations. Under his guidance, the ECHO Program has thrived, creating strong, trust-based relationships among advisors and enabling all to collaborate effectively towards a common goal. With just 73 southern resident killer whales left, Bob’s work is crucial in helping to ensure their survival.
Bob’s leadership has provincial, national, and global impact. His collaborative approach to the ECHO Program has set a world-class example for large-scale voluntary conservation measures, making him a key figure in sustainability efforts in British Columbia and beyond. Bob’s mentorship, energy, and dedication continues to inspire others to choose collaboration and joint action in support of a more sustainable future.
