CAREER OVERVIEW

Brenda Herchmer is a dedicated community builder with extensive experience in grassroots initiatives across Canada. Her work has demonstrated that social, environmental, and economic well-being is enhanced when collective capacity for whole-community approaches is fostered.
Herchmer’s career includes serving as:

• Founder and Principal Collaborator of the Campus for Communities of the Future, a social enterprise
• Co-Chair of the Canada Chapter of CatalystNow (formerly Catalyst 2030)
• A former professor and director at Niagara College
• Experience in local government and social purpose organizations
• Author of three books
• Extensive experience as a coach, instructor,… More Posted on 06-13-24
  

  From Bystanders to Builders: How to Shift the Power In Community Planning

  

  Many municipal elected officials and staff are doing their best to engage residents in local planning and decision-making. The problem is that often only a limited number of residents typically respond, so elected officials and senior staff throw up their hands. They’re pretty sure it’s not their fault, but they remain at a loss as to why people aren’t jumping to provide feedback when given the opportunity.

  A recent post by a city resident perhaps explains it best: “Why bother? They’ve already decided what they’re going to do.” While that sentiment is sometimes justified, the… More Posted on 05-14-25
  

  ECOSYSTEMS OF CHANGE: Unleashing Community Power for Systems Innovation

                 

  While the light at the end of the tunnel might seem to be a flickering flashlight with low batteries, at least there is now a form of GPS to guide us.

  In a world facing climate change, political polarization, violence, and persistent inequality, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed—even paralyzed—by the scale of the challenges before us.

  Many people, including thoughtful and hardworking individuals, find themselves grappling with crisis fatigue, distrust in institutions, or simply a sense that the problems are just too big to tackle. If you’ve… More Posted on 04-28-25
  

  Being Safe Means You Can’t Stand Still

  

  The look of indifference on her face and her constant yawning made it apparent she was not with us by choice.

  Unlike the others in the webinar, she didn’t appear interested or engaged in learning anything about future-ready community leadership.

  Later, I learned she was in the session only because her Director had made it clear it wasn’t optional. Perhaps not a good choice for her or the organization. My own ego and confidence as the facilitator also took a bit of a hit.

  Regardless, authentic learning is unlikely to occur until any… More Posted on 03-23-25
  

  Catalyzing Change: Canadian Social Innovators

  

  Today, our most important work appears to be addressing the broken systems that are hindering our ability to advance social, environmental, and economic well-being. How can we empower the social innovators and entrepreneurs among us to effectively address systemic issues and drive positive change in our communities and beyond?

  Catalyst Now (formerly Catalyst 2030) is an impressive global network of 5500+ members representing 146 countries. Canada is one of those countries actively supporting social innovation and entrepreneurs who share a deep sense of urgency and a passion… More Posted on 02-13-25
  

  This is the Time of Monsters

  

  I’m worried about Canada. Heck, I’m worried about a lot – not only in Canada but also at the global level and in our own communities.

  It is becoming increasingly clear that we need to act and do it with urgency because the monsters are coming.

  Recently I was struck by a quote I stumbled across attributed to Antonio Gramsci, an Italian philosopher who lived between 1891 and 1937. He said:

  “The old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born. Now is the time of monsters.”

  This gap between… More Posted on 01-31-25
  

  Communities as Fractals?

  

  What the Heck is a Fractal?

  Years ago, I was hired to deliver training at a community leadership summit in Las Vegas. Somewhat to my surprise, that was where I also first met the actor, Maxwell Gail Jr . While I remembered how hilarious he was in the Barney Miller sitcom, I soon learned he was also intellectually gifted. Turns out, Max was there with another brilliant guy, his friend Casey.

  Together they introduced me to the concept of fractals. Trying hard to harness my overloaded, distracted brain, I did learn that a fractal… More Posted on 01-23-25
  

  5 Strategies for Being More Future-Ready

  

  We know Canadians are concerned about the cost of living and housing affordability. There are also significant worries related to mental health, food security, healthcare access, climate change, and immigration.

  So, while we might be talking about what matters, it doesn’t appear to have generated the kind of action one would expect. In large part, it is because our silo-based systems aren’t conducive to responding to the interconnectedness and complexity of these issues. As a result, a different kind of leadership and action is required.
  
  Despite… More Posted on 12-29-24
  

  Two Perfect Gifts

  

  Years ago, I received a gift from our team of a pair of ruby slippers covered in glistening sequins replicating those Dorothy wore in The Wizard of Oz. They were in my size, so while I could have worn them, I didn’t because I felt they were better kept on display.

  To some, it may have seemed a strange gift, but for me, it typified a perfect gift because it wasn’t something I had even thought about or knew existed, but when I opened it, I knew it was what I always wanted.

  It was… More Posted on 12-22-24
  

  Are You a Rudolph?

               

  I’ve been called many names over the years, but it was the first time I had been referred to as a Rudolph. Yes, Rudolph. As in Rudolph-the-Red-Nosed-Reindeer.

  Several years ago, I was whining to a friend about some of my work challenges. He shook his head, smiled, and said, “It’s because you are a Rudolph!”

  I was perplexed because I knew I wasn’t guiding Santa’s sleigh, and my nose was not especially red, so I asked what he meant. He explained that he had read a book called… More Posted on 12-14-24
  

  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
  
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