Creating Connections: A Workshop Exploring Co-operatives

Presenting Organization

Co-operatives First

Description

Creating Connections is a workshop designed specifically for economic developers. The workshop is practical, results focused, and delivered by experienced practitioners. So, no fluff. Gain practical insight into how to explore an opportunity for co-op business development. Plus, get a better understanding of how to work with groups interested in structuring their business as a co-operative. We’ll explore real-life case studies to achieve a deeper understanding of the business model and a clear understanding of where the model fits as a problem-solving tool.

What Participants will learn by attending

Take this unique workshop to:

• Discover new growth opportunities
• Explore innovative solutions to investment readiness
• Improve business retention and expansion
• Increase local economic development

Presenters

Trista Pewapisconias, Indigenous Relations Lead

Audra Krueger, Executive Director, Co-operatives First

Presenter Biographies

Indigenous Relations Lead, Trista Pewapisconias, is a member of the Little Pine First Nation in Saskatchewan. Trista works alongside community members with their co-operative projects through business development and planning. Trista’s professional experience includes various marketing roles, as well as writing business plans for start-up Indigenous companies.  In her free time, Trista also sits on the board of the Saskatoon Downtown Early Learning Centre and the Indigenous Chamber of Commerce of Saskatchewan.

Audra Krueger is the Executive Director of Co-operatives First, a non-profit organization promoting the co-operative model in rural and Indigenous communities across western Canada. Before joining Co-operatives First, Ms. Krueger was Research Liaison at the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for the Study of Co-operatives. She is former vice-chair of Good Food Junction Co-operative, first director and treasurer of Saskatoon Car Share Co-op, director of Saskatchewan Co-operative Association and Executive Director of the Core Neighbourhood Youth Co-op. Ms. Krueger has also researched and written on Mexican agrarian co-ops, which earned her a Master Degree in Collaborative International Development and Sociology from the University of Guelph.