Brenda Herchmer is a community builder, educator, blogger, and social entrepreneur recognized for her extensive work in grassroots initiatives and community leadership across Canada. Known for her practical approach to building strong, resilient communities, she is the Founder and Principal Collaborator of the Campus for Communities of the Future, a social enterprise dedicated to strengthening community capacity for innovation and systems change.
Herchmer also serves as Co-Chair of the Canada Chapter of Catalyst Now, a global movement of social innovators transforming systems and driving sustainable change to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
She is a former professor and founder of the Niagara College Centre for Community Leadership, and has previously worked as the Director of ACE Communities (Active, Creative, and Engaged Communities) in Alberta, for the City of Niagara Falls, and for numerous social purpose organizations and corporations.
Brenda is the author of three books and has been honoured as a YWCA Woman of Distinction and a Brock University Distinguished Graduate. Ironically, having never been a member, she was also awarded a Toastmasters Communication and Leadership Award.
She and her family live in Welland, Ontario where they own a café and an online kite store. Driven by a desire to learn more about conveying complex information in an entertaining manner, she has also recently expanded her learning journey as a standup comic.