Saskatchewan Economic Development Alliance Paths to Prosperity

SEDA

 Paths to Prosperity  Conversations That Connect the SystemThe Paths to Prosperity podcast features candid conversations with community leaders, industry partners, Indigenous organizations, funders, and practitioners working to leverage economic and well-being drivers. Each episode explores real‑world challenges, lessons learned, and practical insights on building communities and regions that deliver results—not just activity.Listen for systems thinking, grounded experience, and ideas you can apply. Visit our website for more resources, video series and thought leadership articles.  https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/

Episodes

  1. Economic Ecosystems with guest expert Dallas Gislason

    4d ago

    Economic Ecosystems with guest expert Dallas Gislason

    What exactly is an economic ecosystem, and could it be the key to creating stronger communities, more competitive regions, and long-term prosperity across Saskatchewan? In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, host Crystal Froese sits down with Dallas Gislason, Executive Director of the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP), one of Canada's leading regional economic alliances. Under Dallas's leadership, SIPP has helped launch COAST, Pacific Canada's leading ocean economy hub, creating more than 500 direct jobs and establishing Blue Action Canada, the country's first dedicated ocean-tech accelerator. SIPP has also advanced economic reconciliation through the Indigenous Prosperity Centre, supporting Indigenous-led economic development and building stronger regional partnerships. Together, they explore how Saskatchewan can build its own unique economic ecosystem—one that strengthens regional collaboration, boosts competitiveness, and creates lasting prosperity for communities across the province.  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.

    36 min
  2. Economic Ecosystems: Do We Have Them in Saskatchewan—or Are We Ready to Build Them?

    4d ago

    Economic Ecosystems: Do We Have Them in Saskatchewan—or Are We Ready to Build Them?

    What if Saskatchewan already has everything it needs to build one of Canada's strongest economies? Maybe the real question isn't what we're missing—it's whether we're connecting the pieces. Do we have economic ecosystems in Saskatchewan—or are we ready to build them? Across Canada, a new way of thinking about economic development is taking hold. It's called an economic ecosystem, and it challenges us to look beyond individual projects and communities to the systems that create long-term prosperity. In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, we explore what economic ecosystems really are. If you're passionate about stronger communities, regional collaboration, and Saskatchewan's future, this episode will challenge the way you think about economic development. 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.

    11 min
  3. Rural Reach, Urban Roots: Two Sides, One Engine with guest expert Christopher Brown

    Jun 11

    Rural Reach, Urban Roots: Two Sides, One Engine with guest expert Christopher Brown

    Rural Reach, Urban Roots: Two Sides, One Engine In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, Crystal Froese interviews Christopher Brown, creator and host of Cross Border Interviews and Municipal Affairs.  Christopher draws on insights from hundreds of conversations he has had with community leaders, elected officials, and economic development professionals across Canada, sharing his perspective on the narratives that are shaping communities and things that are holding them back. This conversation explores how communities depend on one another for success, and what opportunities emerge when we move beyond outdated thinking, challenge assumptions, and Christopher offers a fresh and informed perspective. Is the urban-versus-rural debate distracting us from the real opportunity? 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.

    32 min
  4. Why Saskatchewan’s Urban and Rural Economies Rise Together

    Jun 11

    Why Saskatchewan’s Urban and Rural Economies Rise Together

    Why Saskatchewan’s Urban and Rural Economies Rise Together Listen in as Crystal Froese explores the myth of “urban versus rural,” taking a closer look at how Saskatchewan’s economy actually functions — and how many of our systems are still designed in ways that separate communities instead of aligning their strengths. Saskatchewan already has one of its greatest advantages: a strong culture of collaboration, deep connections between communities, and a shared interest in long-term prosperity. Through a thoughtful exploration of growth, collaboration, and regional interdependence, this episode challenges outdated thinking and reflects on what Saskatchewan could achieve when communities move forward together — asking an important question... Is Saskatchewan missing an opportunity hiding in plain sight? 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.

    10 min
  5. Investing in Capacity with guest expert Brenda Herchmer

    May 8

    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 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.

    47 min
  6. From Silos to Systems: Saskatchewan’s Next Chapter

    Apr 20

    From Silos to Systems: Saskatchewan’s Next Chapter

    In this episode of Paths to Prosperity, we pose a simple but uncomfortable question: are we building silos—or systems?  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.

    9 min
  7. How to Move from Silos to Systems—with guest expert Colleen Christopherson-Cote

    Apr 20

    How to Move from Silos to Systems—with guest expert Colleen Christopherson-Cote

    Working harder isn’t the problem—working in silos is.  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.

    38 min

About

 Paths to Prosperity  Conversations That Connect the SystemThe Paths to Prosperity podcast features candid conversations with community leaders, industry partners, Indigenous organizations, funders, and practitioners working to leverage economic and well-being drivers. Each episode explores real‑world challenges, lessons learned, and practical insights on building communities and regions that deliver results—not just activity.Listen for systems thinking, grounded experience, and ideas you can apply. Visit our website for more resources, video series and thought leadership articles.  https://seda.ca/about/paths-to-prosperity/