Investing in Capacity with guest expert Brenda Herchmer

We invest in roads.We invest in buildings.We invest in infrastructure.What if we treated capacity the same way?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 existsThe real reason communities are stuck in “heroics” instead of sustainable deliveryAnd 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.