edX Online
Instructor photo

David C. Bentall

Founding Principal at Next Step Advisors Inc.

About me

David is a third-generation member of the Bentall family from Vancouver. Educated at UBC and the Harvard Business School, he worked for the family business for 20 years, including 7 years as President and CEO of Dominion Construction. After the family business was sold in 1998, he co-founded the Business Families Centre at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, where he served as founding chair for 5 years. Since that time he has been as an adjunct professor, teaching undergraduate and MBA courses, as well as workshops for professional advisors, on behalf of the Family Enterprise Exchange. As the founding principal of Next Step Advisors Inc., David provides family business advisory services for clients globally. He is an executive coach, certified by the International Coaches Federation. In 2012, was recognized as a Fellow of the Family Firm Institute for his dedication to the field. David is the award-winning author of The Company You Keep. His second book, Leaving a Legacy, is a practical and highly personal exploration of how to successfully navigate family business succession. His most recent book, Dear Younger Me: Wisdom for Family Enterprise Successors will be released in December 2019. David is a four-time gold medalist at the Canadian National Water Ski Championships, and in 2013, he was ranked the number one male slalom skier in the world ( in his age group). He and his wife Alison have been married for over 40 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren.