Further Together

The Summit for BC Co-ops  

🎯 Why Attend

The co-operative sector has always believed in the power of working together — but turning that belief into practice takes intention, skill, and the right conversations. This two-day gathering brings co-op leaders, board members, funders, and allies to Abbotsford to explore how we resource the sector collectively and lead in ways that make genuine collaboration possible.

You'll leave with deeper insight into collaborative governance and leadership, stronger connections across the sector, and practical tools to help you lead with greater confidence, strengthen your organization, and build the resilience our movement needs.

Whether you're interested in, new to, a student, or already working in BC's co-op sector — this conference is for you.

⭐ Featured Speakers

Esteban Kelly

Executive Director, US Federation of Worker Cooperatives

Esteban Kelly is the Executive Director for the US Federation of Worker Cooperatives, a founder of the freelancer co-op Guilded, and for 15 years, was a co-founding worker-owner with AORTA, a worker co-op that has built capacity for hundreds of economic justice projects through organizational development, training, and consulting.

Esteban's work expands economic democracy through forms of collective ownership and multi-racial solidarity. He foregrounds political education, systemic thinking, and abolitionist principles into visionary leadership to build the foundations for a better world.

Esteban helped get half a dozen pieces of employee ownership legislation passed by Congress and has been recognized for his Public Policy leadership in the state of California and in Philadelphia where he served as a mayoral appointee and co-chair of the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council. He is a board member and former Chair of the National Cooperative Business Association, a board advisor to the Climate + Community Institute, a Ford Global Fellow and a Fellow with the Institute for the Future.

Tom Webb

Founder, Master of Management, Co-operatives and Credit Unions (MMCCU), International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary's University

Tom Webb is one of Canada's most respected voices in co-operative leadership, governance, and economics. Born and raised in Northeastern Nova Scotia, he was educated at St. Francis Xavier and Carleton Universities, earning a Master of Arts. He began his career in government, including being a Special Advisor to the Prime Minister, before finding his true calling in the co-operative sector, serving with Co-op Atlantic and as Director of the St. Francis Xavier University Extension Department.

In 1999, he founded Global Co-operation, consulting internationally on co-op management, governance, and globalization. He is co-editor of Co-operatives in a Post Growth Era (2014) and author of From Corporate Globalization to Global Co-operation (2016). In 2002, he co-founded the Co-operative Management Education Program and International Centre for Co-operative Management at Saint Mary's University, where he remains an Adjunct Professor. Along with this, he developed MOCA (Marketing Our Co-operative Advantage) and has spent decades advancing co-operative accounting and economics, bringing his insight to conferences around the world.

Tom received the 2021 Co-operative Achievement Award and was inducted into the U.S. Co-operative Hall of Fame in 2025.

Sandra McDowell

Founder, CEO & Lead Faculty, eLeadership Academy

With more than 20 years of cooperative leadership experience, Sandra McDowell brings a practical, people-centred approach to developing leaders and strengthening organizations. Her executive career within the credit union system shaped her deep understanding of leadership anchored in purpose, community, and cooperative values.

Sandra is a Certified Executive Coach with a Master's in Leadership, an ICF PCC designation, CPHR and CLPD credentials, and a Certificate in NeuroLeadership. As Founder and CEO of eLeadership Academy, she leads the development of practical learning experiences that build leaders people love to follow.

A sought-after speaker, Sandra has delivered keynotes and workshops across North America, Europe, and Brazil, including a mainstage address to more than 3,500 attendees at Toastmasters International. Earlier in her career, she received both national and international Young Leader awards. She is also the author of Your Mother Was Right: 15 Unexpected Lessons About Leadership and the Brain.

Juliet 'Kego Ume-Onyido

Co-founder of Whole Woman Network & Black Women Professional Cooperative Inc

Juliet ‘Kego is a wealth management consultant and transformational trainer, poet, and co-founder of Whole Woman Network and Black Women Professional Cooperative Inc.

An emerging leader in the Solidarity economy sector, Juliet’s work spans empowering immigrant women and youth, building thriving enterprises, and driving culturally relevant financial literacy, cooperative education and social innovation in communities across continents. As a strategist behind initiatives such as FLY (Financial Literacy for Youth), and FLOW (Financial Liberation
& Opportunities for Women), Juliet inspires people and communities to lead with a bold vision, compassion, and courage.

A passionate champion for equity, inclusion, and socio-economic justice across intersectionalities, Juliet is committed to bridging the gaps between co-operative enterprises in the formal and informal economy. She sits on several boards in Canada, USA and across Africa.

📋 Conference Details

Join us in Abbotsford, BC at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre.

• September 17 & 18, 2026
• Day 1: September 17, 8:00am — 5:30pm (coffee, tea, light breakfast, lunch & reception snacks included) 
• Day 2: September 18, 8:00am — 3:00pm (coffee, tea, light breakfast & lunch included) 
• Optional: Co-ops 101 bonus session on September 10, 1:00pm to 2:00pm (PT) hosted by Co-operatives First. Sign up here. 

🎟️ Tickets

Early bird tickets are available until August 16, 2026

• Early bird, member: $330
• Early bird, guest: $445
• Regular, member: $445
• Regular, guest: $545
• Youth under 30: $150

If the cost to attend the conference is a financial barrier for you or your organization — we have a limited number of bursaries available courtesy of our Solidarity Partners; Coast Capital Savings & Vancity. Apply for a bursary here. 

🛏️ Where to Stay

The Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre is offering discounted rates for event guests. 

🏷️ Hotel discount available for attendees until August 16th or until quantities last.  

📌 Conference Overview

Day 1: Accessing Capital — What becomes possible when we resource the sector together?

Key outcomes:

• Strengthen your understanding of financing and capital pathways available to co-ops
• Develop a deeper understanding of the strengths, gaps and opportunities within BC’s co-op ecosystem through the findings of the Ecosystem Mapping Project
• Contribute ideas, perspectives and potential solutions that can help strengthen BC’s co-operative economy
• Build new relationships and connections across the sector; including with co-operatives, credit unions, funders, ecosystem organizations and emerging leaders

Day 2: Governance and Leadership — Building on Day 1, sessions will focus on the leadership and governance needed to make collaboration work.

Key outcomes:

• Deepen your understanding of collaborative leadership, governance, and relationship-building practices within co-operative organizations and ecosystems.
• Gain practical ideas, tools, and perspectives to support leadership development and organizational resilience.
• Identify opportunities for future collaboration, shared infrastructure, and collective action within BC’s co-operative movement.

Workshops — we're updating workshop descriptions weekly:

💡 Workshops: Day 1 

1. Strategic storytelling to influence decision-makers

Speaker: Lia Brewer, Hilltop Public Affairs 

How do you make an ask that actually matters?

In a time of fiscal pressures, global instability, increased competition for resources, and growing political polarization, getting to "yes" is harder than ever. For co-operatives, the challenge often runs deeper still — the vital role the co-op sector plays can be poorly understood among governments, funders, and other key decision-makers.

So how can co-ops break through the noise? In this session, we'll explore the power of effective communications and storytelling in conversations with decision-makers. Participants will learn — and practice, hands-on — practitioner-built strategies for developing messages that genuinely connect with governments, funders, and other stakeholders, and that motivate them to act. Walk away with shared experience and tangible insights you can apply to your co-op's work right away.

2. Mind the capital gap: what co-op lenders really look for

Speakers: Heather Tanaka, Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund

There's often a gap between what co-ops need to grow and what they know about how to access it. In this session, the Canadian Co-operative Investment Fund (CCIF) pulls back the curtain on how co-op lenders evaluate financing requests: what makes an application strong, what slows things down, and how to close the gap between where your co-op is and where sustainable capital can take it. Whether you're preparing to seek financing for the first time or supporting co-ops through their own capital journeys, you'll leave with a clearer picture of the co-op financing landscape, practical tips for building a lender-ready application, and a better understanding of how patient, mission-aligned capital like CCIF's can help your co-op grow on its own terms.

3. P6 in practice: building a stronger co-op ecosystem

💡 Workshops: Day 2

4. Leadership and governance that is easeful, joyful and purposeful

Speakers: Zsuzsi Fodor, Michelle Tsutsumi, Keira McPhee (Sunflower Facilitation and Counselling Co-op)

In this pop-up community of practice style session, Sunflower Facilitation and Counselling Worker Co-op will guide the group through some of our favourite facilitation tools. We’re starting from the premise that every conversation, meeting, and decision is an opportunity for great governance, and that this work can be easeful, joyful, and purposeful.

Join us to experience a conversation that holds space for everyone and demonstrates ways of working that are strategic and adaptive. Drawing from Sociocracy, Adaptive and Emergent Strategy, and Liberating Structures, facilitators will weave their experience from equity-centred, trauma-informed facilitation and counselling.

5. Building the next generation of co-operative leaders

6. Cooperating across borders: cooperation as a tool for solidarity

Panel moderated by Tara Williams

7. Leading business transitions: governance in times of change

Speaker: Daphane Nelson, CoActive Worker Developments Co-operative

Succession planning is not just about transferring ownership. It is an opportunity to intentionally develop leadership, build internal capacity, strengthen governance and prepare an organization for its next stage. Drawing on recent transition work with Hardy Buoys Smoked Fish and Authentic Indigenous Seafood Co-operative, Daphane Nelson will share practical lessons on identifying leadership needs, supporting people through change, and building stronger organizations through transition. BCCA Director Shawn Bryant will contribute insights from his experience with Yeoman’s Tree Service Co-operative. Participants will explore how thoughtful succession planning can develop capable leaders, strengthen continuity, and build resilient co-operative businesses.

🚌 Getting Here

The conference will take place at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Centre, conveniently located just off Highway 1 in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The venue is easily accessible whether you are travelling from Metro Vancouver or flying into the Fraser Valley. Refer to map at bottom of this page. 

From Vancouver
Abbotsford is approximately 1–1.5 hours east of Vancouver by car, depending on traffic. Take Highway 1 East and use Exit 92 toward Whatcom Road / North Parallel Road. Free parking is available on site.

From Abbotsford International Airport (YXX)
The venue is approximately 15–20 minutes by car or taxi from Abbotsford International Airport. Ride-share services and taxis are available at the airport.

📅 Key Dates

• June 10: Early bird tickets launched, discounted accommodations available (subject to availability) 
• August 16: Final day early bird tickets, final day for discounted accommodations (subject to availability)
• September 16: Ticket sales end 

🤝 Thank you to our Sponsors

Thank you to our sponsors, we couldn't do this without you! 

Shout out to our Solidarity Partners, Coast Capital Savings & Vancity, who are also helping small co-ops with financial barriers attend this event.

Looking to get involved? Partnering with Further Together positions your organization at the heart of BC's co-operative movement, connecting you with leaders who share your values. Download our sponsorship package

Refund Policy

• Ticket Purchases are Final: All ticket sales for Further Together 2026 are final. We are unable to offer refunds or exchanges for attendees who are unable to attend.
• Ticket Transfers: If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to transfer your registration to a colleague or another individual at no cost. To transfer your ticket, please contact us at connect@bcca.coop no later than September 16, 2026 at 12pm with the name and email of the new attendee.
• Event Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the conference is cancelled or significantly altered by the organizers, registered attendees will be notified promptly and a full refund will be issued. 

If you have any questions about your registration, please contact us at connect@bcca.coop