Q&A with Business Leader & Tech Entrepreneur Dennis Pilarinos
Technology Executive and Entrepreneur Dennis Pilarinos is no stranger to investing in novel ideas. Dennis has been working at the forefront of technological innovation for over 20 years holding senior roles at companies like Microsoft, Apple and selling his last company to Apple.
Bringing his zest for novel solutions alongside his passion for conservation, Dennis sat down with us to discuss his hope of using his business insights and gains to support NBSF with the goal of helping advance protection for endangered old-growth forests in BC.
Here’s what he had to say:
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NBSF: What first inspired you to start supporting conservation work?
Dennis Pilarinos: It was the exposure to nature on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Spending time in the old-growth forests there, you can really see and appreciate nature in its rawest and purest form, and having had the opportunity to travel the world, I quickly appreciated just how shockingly unique and beautiful the nature was in BC.
I also have a small airplane that I frequently fly across Vancouver Island, and it gives me an opportunity to see what the forests look like from above. With an eagle’s perspective, you can really observe the devastation of our imprint on the rare and unprotected old-growth forests of BC. Seeing all of the intensive logging quickly diminishing these ecosystems was quite sobering, and I figured that this was a problem which was probably worth spending time on.
What worries you the most about the current state of the environment in Canada?
I’m worried about the continued destruction of essential carbon sinks, especially the old-growth forests of BC, which play an important role in storing carbon. If we continue destroying these ecosystems, we're going to see an exponential uptick in climate-related phenomena, like extreme droughts and wildfires.
In 2021, for example, we saw one of the hottest and most devastating summers for wildfires in BC, which was then directly followed by a fall season of extreme floods and rainfall that broke records and eradicated critical infrastructure.
It’s worrying to me that we often only recognize the consequences of our actions after it's too late. We're getting all sorts of warning signs that we're choosing to ignore; it’s as ridiculous as a coal miner’s canary keeling over and dying, but instead of turning back, the coal miner opts to instead put a blanket over its cage and continue moving forward, deliberately blinding himself to what’s right in front of him.
Why do you support the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation specifically?
I have confidence in the pragmatic and solutions-oriented approach it takes. Of course, there’s always going to be a feel-good aspect to supporting an organization working to protect ecosystems. But a lot of my motivation comes from the fact that NBSF recognizes the economic benefits of protecting native ecosystems and that it helps connect communities to those benefits. The NBSF is the first organization I've seen taking a rational approach to conservation—one that recognizes the role played by all communities and stakeholders who are central to protecting these areas. It’s a rational operational approach that is focused on results and outcomes, and that’s why I am a supporter.
What role can private funds play in supporting meaningful protection for nature?
Beyond filling the deficit in public funding being made available for conservation, I believe that private funders can help provide insights on things like how to effectively communicate with private-sector funders and engage the world of business to drive positive outcomes for nature.
But the relationship between the private and nonprofit sectors is mutually beneficial: Nonprofits like NBSF have the expertise and insights to support businesses in understanding how conservation outcomes can help them achieve their sustainability commitments, so these partnerships have a lot of potential to deliver value to both parties.
What about NBSF excites you the most?
Well, let me start by saying that I’ve spent the majority of my career working in an ecosystem that is inherently predisposed to innovation, especially in response to emerging problems or opportunities. When I do some angel investing, I’m looking for teams who are uniquely positioned to solve big problems. I used this same principle when assessing NBSF, and it became obvious to me that the people behind this organization are the best at solving a very big and important problem. So, I thought, “Yep, I will spend time and money on this effort.”
What is your biggest hope for supporting the NBSF?
My biggest hope would be to enjoy what remains of the old growth-forests on Vancouver Island knowing that they are forever protected.
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If you’re interested in supporting our work in BC and across Canada, please consider making a donation at www.naturebasedsolutionsfoundation.org/donate, or contact Hania Peper, National Coordinator, at coordinator@naturebasedsolutionsfoundation.org.