Robin McLay

Robin McLay is a Senior Consultant with the Consensus Building Institute, Regional Director of Fulbright West, and Director of Honouring Nations Canada—a program co-developed with the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. He is the former Head of Research and Strategy at the MasterCard Foundation and has served in senior leadership roles at Harvard University, McGill University, Global Affairs Canada, the Canada School of Public Service and the Government of British Columbia. For over 25 years, Robin has worked at the intersection of public policy, academia, philanthropy, and international development to advance inclusive economic development, Indigenous self-determination, social innovation, environmental sustainability, and global research partnerships.

Robin’s work bridges research and policy with a focus on building collaborative partnerships among governments, Indigenous organizations, private foundations, venture investors, NGOs, and global think tanks. He is known for his systems thinking, ability to foster cross-sector collaboration, and commitment to translating research into action. His leadership spans both the Global North and South, influencing multi-stakeholder initiatives on topics ranging from digital economy and artificial intelligence to Indigenous governance and sustainable development.

Areas of Focus

Robin focuses on the nexus between international development, Indigenous innovation, environmental sustainability, and evidence-informed policymaking. He designs and supports multi-stakeholder collaborations across Canada and globally to advance economic transformation and systems-level change. His work frequently involves advising philanthropic organizations, research institutions, and public agencies on partnership strategy, policy innovation, and program design.

He brings deep experience in policy development, public-private collaboration, and inclusive governance—particularly in supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, strengthening health and education systems, and promoting socially responsible investing. Robin is also active in shaping the role of philanthropy and private capital in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), often in coordination with multilateral institutions, foundations, and community-led organizations.

Exemplary Projects, Leadership Roles, and Affiliations

• Strategic leadership of Fulbright Canada’s Honouring Nations Initiative, recognizing excellence in Indigenous governance
• Leads Fulbright Canada’s Entrepreneurship Initiative
• Member of the MasterCard Foundation's senior management team, where he led the strategy and research division
• Executive Director of Social Innovation and Social Finance for the Government of British Columbia
• Senior Fellow at the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), supporting work on innovation, digital finance, and artificial intelligence
• Negotiator and advisor on AI and the digital economy with ACET, building partnerships with foundations, aid agencies, investors, and multilaterals
• Executive Director of McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development
• Mentor and advisor for the Mandela Washington Fellowship and youth leadership programs across the Global South
• Former Executive Director of Harvard University’s Native American Program
• Director of Democratic Institutions and Conflict and Director of Research at Global Affairs Canada, and advisor to IDRC’s Global Think Tank Initiative
• Co-led a global initiative to advance philanthropy’s role in the SDGs, in partnership with UNDP, Ford Foundation, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and the MasterCard Foundation
• Played a key leadership role in the creation and oversight of the International Indigenous Peoples Secretariat at Global Affairs Canada
• Research Associate with the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development
• Founding Member of the Harvard School of Public Health’s Leadership Council
• Board Member of the British Columbia Métis Federation, where he leads Industry Engagement
• Advisory Board Member of McGill University’s Institute for the Study of International Development (ISID)
• Chair of the US-Canada Fulbright Foundation’s Advisory Board
• Board Director of the Walrus Foundation
• Senior Advisor on Indigenous Issues for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation - a forum of 21 Asia-Pacific economies focused on promoting trade, investment, and economic growth through regional cooperation and consensus-based decision-making

Education

Robin earned his MPA at Harvard’s Kennedy School as a Fulbright Scholar and Government of Canada Science Policy Scholar. He holds a MSc (with Distinction) from the London School of Economics and his bachelor’s degree in Industrial Relations from McGill University, where he graduated with High Distinction and was recognized as a McGill University Scholar.