Chris Duncan: Shaping a Niche Career in Forestry at MNP
.webp)
Chris Duncan (he/him) has deep roots on Vancouver Island, where his family has a long history in the forestry industry. Unlike many peers who left for bigger cities, Chris was determined to stay and find a career that fit his small-town lifestyle but offered big opportunities. MNP was the perfect match — a national firm with a local touch.
Starting as an articling student in the Nanaimo office in 2010, Chris quickly embraced the diverse clients he worked with. “I knew Nanaimo would give me the variety I needed to really grow,” he recalls. He received his CPA designation in 2013 and had spent the previous summer working as a controller for a logging company. That reignited his passion for forestry and brought him back to MNP with a renewed vision for his career.
“MNP gave me the freedom to grow the Duncan market and really explore new ideas.”
With a bit of guidance from a mentor, Chris shifted his focus to the forestry sector. Soon after, he returned to his hometown of Duncan, where a new client acquisition allowed him to step into a leadership role. By 2015, he was promoted to Senior Manager, and his career took off. He had the opportunity to build the firm’s local forestry practice writing for industry magazines, joining local boards, and driving new business.
Chris’s hard work paid off when he became a partner in 2017. By 2020, he was leading MNP’s forestry practice nationwide. Reflecting on his journey, Chris says, “MNP gave me the freedom to grow the Duncan market and really explore new ideas.”
He values the support and trust that MNP fosters, not just professionally but personally, too. “We trust each other here, and that trust has helped me balance my career and my life. Even during busy seasons, I can take time to enjoy summers with my family on the island.”
Chris’s story is a perfect example of how passion and hard work can lead to success — all while staying true to where you come from.