Dallas Pootlass

Indigenous Empowered Career Coach

Dallas Pootlass is a thought leader in career Strategic Intervention, having coached over 1,000 individuals from 27 organizations across Canada and parts of Mexico. As the owner of IEC - Guided by our ancestors, Dallas draws on his own journey of overcoming career challenges and feelings of insufficiency to guide others. His work is deeply rooted in the principle of "One heart-one mind."

Dallas grew up on a reserve (reservations in the USA) and traveled to approximately 40 countries in his 20s, gaining diverse perspectives that enrich his coaching approach. He spends his winters in Playa del Carmen, embodying what it means to co-create your own life on your terms.

His career transformation began with a pivotal moment during a job interview. When asked if he had any questions or comments, he confidently declared, “I am the man for this job; it would be a mistake not to hire me.” Dropping an imaginary mic, he almost secured the job on the spot and received an offer just an hour later. Before this, Dallas was stuck in a dead-end job he hated, spending his lunch breaks alone in his car.

Accepting the new role, Dallas went on to make a significant impact for 140,000 First Nations in BC (known as American Indians in the USA) over the next three years, doubling his salary in the process. In October 2019, he started two businesses, achieving impressive success by making a quarter of a million dollars in sales in just one day. However, the pandemic hit shortly after, leading to the loss of both sales. When his coaches asked him what he would do next, Dallas, despite initial reluctance, founded IEC - Guided by our ancestors. The rest is history, showcasing his resilience and commitment to strategic career growth.