Complementing the skill and energy of the East Coast Connected board of directors, the advisory panel consists of senior business, political, academic and cultural leaders. ECC advisors are dedicated to providing the organization with the guidance and contacts required to achieve success.

David B. Smith has been the president of NSCAD University since August 2006 and is the youngest university president in Canada. Prof. Smith is an accomplished arts administrator, educator and artist. Before assuming the NSCAD Presidency, he served both as Chair of the Department of Art and Special Assistant to the Provost at the University of San Diego, California. Prof. Smith holds a Master of Science in Visual Studies, with an emphasis in public art, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Art (Major in Fine Arts) from NSCAD University.

Dan MacDonald has over 22 years of high technology business building experience; he has worked in both start-up and Fortune 50 company environments in Canada and the United States. His work has taken him to 20 countries across 4 continents. Dan and his family moved back to Atlantic Canada from Silicon Valley in May of 2005 when he became the President and CEO of InNOVAcorp, an organization which plays a key role in driving the region's "knowledge based economy".

Fred MacGillivray is President & CEO of Trade Centre Limited. He began his career in the grocery industry with IGA and rose to senior management and executive positions with Dominion Stores Ltd., Lumsden Brothers Ltd., and Bolands/IGA Fred holds two Honorary Degrees and is well-known for his dedication to the community through his leadership and volunteer activities. He was selected as one of Atlantic Canada Top 50 CEOs in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He is Chair of the 2008 Men's World Championship coming to Halifax and Quebec City.

Bernd Christmas is the founder of the Bernd Christmas Law Group. He was the Senior Vice-President and National Aboriginal Practice Leader at Hill & Knowlton Canada. Former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Membertou Band of Nova Scotia and the Membertou Corporate Division, and is a negotiator for several First Nations communities.

Gerry Pond is currently the Chairman and co-founder of Mariner Partners Inc., a company which specializes in IPTV technology solutions and provides consulting and professional IT services from offices in Saint John (HQ), Moncton and Calgary. Gerry is the former CEO of telecom provider NBTel, a past Chairman of the NB Business Council, a past Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of UNB and a past Chairman of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. In 2007, he was inducted in the New Brunswick Business Hall of Fame.

Scott McCain is President and Chief Operating Officer of the Agribusiness Group at Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Under his guidance, the Group has produced constant improvement and steady performance as an integral element of the Company’s value chain strategy. He is a director of Maple Leaf Foods Inc., Canada Bread Company, Limited and McCain Capital Corporation. Mr. McCain is also a trustee of the Lakefield College School Foundation, a member of the Board of Regents at Mount Allison University and a Board member of Food Processors of Canada.