CAREER OVERVIEW

Brenda Herchmer is committed to empowering collective capacity for local social, environmental, and economic well-being. Her work focuses on strengthening whole-community sector-connector approaches that result in collaborative cultures, informed decision-making, future-readiness, and innovation.

She is the founder and CEO of a social enterprise called Campus for Communities of the Future and Co-Chair of Catalyst 2030 Canada. A speaker, trainer, coach, and strategist across Canada, she is a former Professor and Director at Niagara College, Director of ACE Communities (Alberta) and worked for the City of Niagara… More Posted on 06-13-24

No Wrapping Paper Required

Today, I received yet another request for a donation to a good cause from a well-respected charitable organization. I’m embarrassed to admit that my initial response was one of annoyance. In my defence, how can one person help make the world a better place when they feel like a superhero without a cape?

Empathy prevailed as I quickly gave myself a shake and thought about how stressful it must be for these organizations. They work tirelessly to ensure funding is in place so they can continue making their vital contributions to our communities.… More Posted on 12-06-24

An Entertaining Use of AI

There are many of us at the grassroots of our community struggling to convey the need for a greater balance between economic interests and social and environmental well-being. In other words, a balance that ensures business interests aren’t prioritized above all else.

It recently occurred to me that perhaps our messaging could be improved if it was less doom and gloom and more entertaining and user-friendly.

As shared in a previous post, I’m also… More Posted on 11-21-24

Whlpped Cream and the Value of Fun

I’ve only just completed an introductory course to stand-up comedy and have one live show under my belt, so undoubtedly, I’m a tad short of the 10,000 hours of practice research suggests is needed to be considered an expert. Regardless, given the state of our mixed-up, messed-up world, I’m feeling some pressure to try to provide a diversion in the form of laughter.

Sadly, I just don’t have it in me today. But the good news is that I have an extensive archive. The post below was written years ago, but it remains a reminder… More Posted on 11-11-24

Finding My Funny

The older I get, the better I’ve become at listening to my intuition, even when it seems a tad wacky and I can’t explain why I decide to do something. It’s a strategy that has worked reasonably well, so I’ve learned to listen when those spidey senses start tingling.

It’s why when I recently read about our local up-and-coming comedy club offering an Introduction to Stand-Up Comedy, I decided to sign up even though I wasn’t sure why it seemed important.

It’s not as if I… More Posted on 10-28-24

Can Community Innovation Be Simplifed?

My dominant right-brained self understands very little of Albert Einstein’s work.  However, I do know he once said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.

I often wonder if he imagined how much more challenging that would be in today’s complex, hyperconnected, and increasingly uncertain world.

The speed, unpredictability, and interconnectedness of today’s complex issues have made it extraordinarily difficult to predict and plan for the future of our communities. It’s made even more challenging by knowing it is imperative that we also implement local action to… More Posted on 10-17-24

Impactful Ways to Decide and Do

A circus performer, an engineer, a non-profit employee, a tattoo artist, and a consultant walked into a coffee shop. While it may sound like a punchline to a bad joke, it wasn’t.

Despite the diverse backgrounds, each owns a business or works in our city’s downtown core and is a volunteer member of what we’ve named the POP committee. POP is an acronym for Partnerships, Opportunities and Proposals.

While we all have demanding jobs, we carved out time to meet to discuss our shared focus on revitalizing our downtown. It was a caffeine-fueled, noisy,… More Posted on 10-04-24

Learnings About Complexity from the Grassroots

• Together is Better

Most would agree that no organization or sector – government, business, or social purpose -  can resolve today’s complex issues and opportunities independently. However, when they come together as a whole or complete community to develop a shared vision and values; their social, economic, and community well-being is enhanced with collaborative, informed decision-making and action.