Jim Duncan
Jim Duncan grew up in Maryland, sailing, canoeing, and feasting on Chesapeake Bay blue crabs.
Jim is committed to strengthening communities through arts and culture. These days, he is a director and advisor to profit and not for profit boards, having served on over twenty—current boards: President of Classical KING, Benaroya Hall, Path with Art, and Trustee ArtsFund Foundation, among others. He served sixteen years on the ArtsFund Board including two as Board Chair.
As a child, Jim’s favorite book was The Velveteen Rabbit because, he says, “learning about love, hardships, grief as well as holding on our authentic selves had a lasting impression.” A favorite book he’s read more recently is How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur for its deep dive into everyday ethical puzzles and conundrums.
Two memorable SAL events for Jim were Malcolm Gladwell—for his engaging, entertaining storytelling and his research, and Annie Leibovitz—for the insight into her creative process and photoshoots of celebrities. When Jim is not working for the SAL board, he is an avid adventure traveler: sailing the Caribbean, hiking the jungles of Borneo, kayaking in Palau.
The former CEO and Board Chair of Sparling (now Stantec), the market leader in electrical, technology, acoustical and lighting consultancy, Jim holds an MBA from Seattle University, a BSEE degree from Clemson University, and graduated from Harvard’s Executive Leadership Program.