July 26, 1972 ~ June 3, 2026

Brian Finlay, President and CEO of the Stimson Center, passed away on June 3, 2026. Brian led the Stimson Center for over a decade, with more than twenty years of service to the nonpartisan foreign policy institution based in Washington, DC.

Originally from London, Ontario, Brian immigrated to the United States in the late 1990s, but he remained deeply devoted to Canada and its values—its commitment to the common good, a strong social safety net, and a healthy work-life balance.

Brian served with Canada’s Public Health Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He was Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of iMMAP, an information management and data analytics organization focused on improving humanitarian relief and development coordination. He later served as a researcher at the Brookings Institution, and as a program officer at the Century Foundation. Brian was an adjunct professor at American University in Washington and sat on the editorial board of Global Security.

A fierce advocate for uncommon solutions, Brian was unwilling to simply sit back and “admire the problem,” as he often described it. Instead, he challenged and empowered his staff to confront the world’s most consequential challenges with imagination, rigor, and conviction.

While I only had the privilege of working under Brian for a few short years, I can attest to all of the above. I first encountered him over a decade ago in New York, as he skillfully moderated a panel discussion at the United Nations with his signature blend of humor, humility, and grace. Working with him was special, and not just because of our shared Canadian-ness. It is unusual in the think tank world, and especially in a city like Washington, DC, for a leader to possess such magnetism and passion for their work while never seeking the spotlight for themselves. Brian was one of those rare gems. He fostered a unique and empowering organizational culture grounded in genuine faith in his staff — our ability, our knowledge, and even our occasionally quirky ideas and plans.

Brian’s warmth, kindness and light are already deeply missed at the Stimson Center, and across the many communities he touched throughout Canada, the United States, and beyond. To honour his extraordinary legacy and ensure that his vision continues to inspire future generations, the Stimson Center has established The Brian D. Finlay Legacy Fund.

Created to grow over time, the Brian D. Finlay Legacy Fund will sustain the enduring work Brian championed, advancing the mission he helped shape and ensuring his spirit of curiosity, generosity, and impact continues for generations to come.

Allison Pytlak, Senior Fellow and Cyber Program Director, The Stimson Center, www.stimson.