In a province where one person can be the CAO, economic development officer, planner, grant writer, and crisis manager all at once, capacity is no longer a “soft” issue. It is core economic infrastructure.

In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, Crystal Froese has a conversation with  Brenda Herchmer—community builder, systems thinker, and founder of the Campus for Communities of the Future.

Brenda has spent decades working across local government, post-secondary, and social purpose organizations, helping communities move from siloed thinking to connected ecosystems. She’s led national-recognized initiatives, co-chaired global networks like CatalystNow, and authored multiple books focused on leadership and systems change.

Brenda Herchmer will also be speaking at the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance Summit: “From Silos to Systems: Connecting the Dots to Local & Provincial Prosperity”
📅 October 27–28, 2026
🔗 https://seda.ca/2026-provincial-summit/

In this episode they unpack:

Why good ideas stall—even when funding exists
The real reason communities are stuck in “heroics” instead of sustainable delivery
And what it actually looks like to treat communities as ecosystems, not silos.

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance. 

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance. 

Across Saskatchewan, good people are doing good work—but not always together.

In this episode of Pathways to Prosperity, Crystal Froese reflects on how we design, collaborate, and lead—and why moving from silos to systems matters now more than ever. Because when we work in isolation, we duplicate effort, stretch capacity, and limit our impact.

The opportunity is to do this differently—to collaborate, align, and build systems that work together instead of apart.

Because the future won’t be shaped by one organization working alone. It will be shaped by how well we connect—and how willing we are to move from silos to systems.

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance. 

Across Saskatchewan, leaders and organizations are working hard—but too often in silos. The result? Burnout, duplication, and outcomes that don’t match the effort.

In this episode of Pathways to Prosperity, we’re joined by guest expert Colleen Christopherson-Cote, a community leader and systems change practitioner based in Saskatoon.

Colleen shares real solutions and expertise on how to move from silos to systems—drawing on her experience in poverty reduction, community development, and collaborative governance across both urban and rural communities.

If you’re a municipal leader, economic development practitioner, or community builder looking for better results—not just more activity—this conversation is for you.

Because stronger communities come from systems that actually work.

Paths to Prosperity is a platform for exploring how communities can build resilient, inclusive, and future‑ready economies.

Through thought leadership, practical insights, and conversations with leaders from across Saskatchewan and beyond, Paths to Prosperity examines the forces shaping local and regional economies—and the choices communities can make to navigate change with confidence.

Our focus is on what works, what’s emerging, and what leaders should be thinking about now.

To go deeper on the ideas shaping Saskatchewan’s future, https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/ for more podcasts, thought leadership, and resources from the Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance.