About the Author
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…
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Posted on 06-13-24
Planning in a World That Won’t Sit Still
Each January brings a familiar shift — from “New Year, New You” hype to organizations being reminded they need to focus less on putting out fires and getting more strategic about fireproofing. They’ve finally had a chance to breathe over the holidays, maybe reflect a little, and now they’re ready to plan.
It’s the time when boards, leadership teams, businesses, and community groups once again vow to pull everyone together, get aligned, and map out the future.
And they’re not wrong. Getting people in the same room—real or virtual—to talk about direction, priorities, and… More Posted on 12-31-25
Futures Thinking for Real People (a cape is optional)
We all know Canadians are worried about the cost of living and housing affordability — and who isn’t at this point? Add mental well-being, healthcare, climate change, job security, and immigration to the mix, and we’ve got ourselves a national anxiety smoothie.So yes, we’re talking about what matters. But somewhere between panel discussions and PowerPoints, we’ve misplaced the action.
Why? Because our siloed systems are like group projects where everyone insists, “That’s not my part.” Complex, interconnected challenges can’t thrive in those conditions. We need leadership that gets comfortable with the messy, nonlinear… More Posted on 12-29-25
Holidays Don’t Have To Be Perfect To Be Wonderful
I’ve become the type of person who used to annoy me and I’m oddly okay with it.It’s true.
I’ve officially become that person — the one who used to make me roll my eyes.I say this with mild nausea: my Christmas decorations were up by November 29th.
Shopping? Done weeks ago.
Gifts? Wrapped.
Lists? Oh, there are lists. To-do lists, backup lists, even a colour-coded list for our family gathering of 26 (yes, 26!).Now, for some people, that’s nothing new.
But for me? This is growth.
… More Posted on 12-22-25
What ‘Community’ Really Means—And Why We Need It Now More Than Ever
Maybe it’s the upcoming holiday season—or perhaps it’s growing concern that we don’t have enough of it—but lately I’ve been thinking more than usual about the importance of community.Community isn’t just a “nice-to-have” in our personal lives; it is increasingly a core condition for healthy teams, resilient organizations, and impactful systems.
For those who’ve been fortunate enough to work within a tightly knit team, volunteer group, club, or association, you already know what true community feels like. For others, it might still be something you’re searching for, even if you don’t realize… More Posted on 12-15-25
Pies, Partnerships, and a Better Future
Most of us have learned about partnerships the hard way: some work beautifully, and others end like a nasty divorce — complete with lawyers, alimony, and a tense discussion to decide who owns the Zoom account.Like a good marriage, the right collaboration can enrich those involved, what they do, and how they do it. But, when it goes wrong, it can leave partners emotionally damaged, financially lighter, and googling “how to hide assets from my ex-partner.”
Partnerships are more important than ever because the challenges we face locally and globally are complex and interconnected. The… More Posted on 12-04-25
What Happened in Victoria, Didn’t Stay in Victoria
We got a second chance—and made the most of it.Our session, Locally Driven Innovation, Framed by Global Priorities, first debuted as a panel at the Victoria Forum, a national conference hosted by the University of Victoria and the Senate of Canada. The proposal went in at the last minute (yes, we cut it close!), but it was accepted—and that’s how I found myself scrambling to assemble a panel.
Enter the magic of the Catalyst Now network. That’s how Anne Gloger and Marc-André Bélisle joined me. The three of us shared… More Posted on 11-25-25
Three Cooks, One Kitchen: Stirring Up Solutions for Innovation
Picture this: you’re in a room packed with rumbling stomachs. Three “experts” stride in—one from government, one from business, and one from the social purpose sector.
Do they meet and chat? No, they do not. Each cook moves to a different kitchen corner and gets lost in their own recipe, blissfully unaware of the others — and of those not in the room who might still be hungry.
It’s like an episode of “Top Chef Canada,” but nobody’s winning and everybody’s still starving.
Most folks recognize those three sectors: public (government), private (business),… More Posted on 11-13-25
Cars or Care? Time to Turbocharge Differently?
I grew up in a household supported by my dad’s GM paycheque. There were lean times—especially during the strikes—but overall, we did pretty well. One income. Seven people. A comfortable home. Thanks to GM, my dad also enjoyed a secure retirement and solid healthcare benefits.
So yes, I get the importance of the automotive industry.
But lately, rumblings from the roots are raising questions about whether it still deserves the level of attention it gets.
All that chrome and horsepower—it makes… More Posted on 10-29-25
Sorry, Bobby
Truth be told, getting me to care as much as I do about outcomes and measurement has been a full-contact sport.
There’s been some kicking, some screaming, and probably a few eye rolls along the way. But here I am—finally that person who gets way too excited about data dashboards and community indicators. Growth, right?
My enthusiasm comes from one simple (and slightly frustrating) realization: we’re not measuring what really matters in our communities. We obsess over economic growth like it’s the only scoreboard that counts—meanwhile, our actual quality of life often sits… More Posted on 10-16-25
Will They Wrap Their Arms Around New Knowledge?
Will They Wrap Their Arms Around New Knowledge?
That question came my way in an email just after a major national conference. It was asked because the event (the Victoria Forum) had surfaced so many fresh insights and bright ideas for making the world a better place, particularly through tackling complex challenges such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In my reply, I said I was hopeful. Conferences typically offer rich learning opportunities, not just for learning in the moment, but for sparking ongoing exchanges after the event. There was so much untapped… More Posted on 09-26-25
Infinite Growth, Finite Planet—It Doesn’t Add Up
Here’s what we know. Suppose current growth rates continue without major policy or systemic change. In that case, most scientific projections suggest that within 30 years, humanity will consume as much energy and material as all of previous human history combined.It would be comforting to dismiss this as exaggeration, but as the deep-thinking podcaster Nate Hagens reminded audiences at the recent Victoria Forum, “Infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible”.
Our “buy now, pay later” culture persists, investing heavily in the traditional economy—especially oil and gas—while overlooking the risks. Instead, more capital… More Posted on 09-11-25
From Complexity to Clarity
Civilization faces a pressing dilemma: can we keep chasing infinite growth on a finite planet?
It’s a question that was front and centre for many attendees—including myself—at this year’s Victoria Forum, August 24-25th.
Hosted by the Canadian Senate and the University of Victoria, the event brought together over 600 participants from around the world. We shared ideas, expertise, reflections and bold solutions for the urgent challenges represented by the UN 17 SDGs.
Working through my copious notes will take… More Posted on 09-01-25
My Not-So-Economist Book Club: Mark Carney Edition
I don’t own a crystal ball. If I did, you’d find me sunning on my private yacht courtesy of perfectly timed lottery picks. But, in 2021, I did buy Mark Carney’s book Values: Building a Better World for All. Full disclosure: I may have approached some of the denser chapters with the same enthusiasm I reserve for assembling IKEA furniture — skim for what’s crucial and generally avoid anything that gives me a headache. In my defence, the target audience for the book is likely those who wear more suits in a month than I’ve… More Posted on 07-22-25
Redefining Success: Balancing Prosperity, Well-Being, and Purpose
A recent conversation with a charismatic, intelligent young man reinforced the challenges of a global economy that too often prioritizes, measures, and rewards generating profit at the expense of social and environmental well-being.
He was a hardworking and driven guy who wore his confidence and competitive nature proudly. And, to his credit, he has had significant financial success.
But our talk also highlighted for me something else: many hardworking, driven people aren’t seeing the same financial rewards because they are balancing profit with social and environmental well-being.