In a world that often dwells on what can’t be done, Canada reminds me of the power of asking how can we make it happen. That spirit, the focus on “How Yes, not Why Not,” came through again and again during my recent trip to Toronto, where I met with IEDC members, partners, and leaders from across Ontario. It is a mindset rooted in optimism, collaboration, and community, and it is one that lies at the very heart of economic development.

There has been so much discussion this past year about international trade, geopolitical tensions, and complex policy challenges. Too often, what gets lost in those debates is the long-standing relationships — person to person, community to community, and nation to nation — that form the fabric of economic development.

Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to spend three days in Toronto, speaking at the Toronto Global Forum and meeting with IEDC members and stakeholders from across the region. Growing up in Michigan, I spent many weekends in Canada playing baseball tournaments, skiing at Blue Mountain, and traveling through Windsor, Toronto, and Niagara Falls. Canada has always been my neighbor, both figuratively and literally, and my experiences there have always been marked by friendship and fun.

Over the past year, I have had countless conversations with IEDC members and stakeholders across Canada. The tone has ranged from hope to frustration as geopolitical tensions between the United States and Canada have grown more pronounced. Our IEDC Annual Conference in Detroit this year was designed to strengthen engagement from Canadian members, especially given that the Detroit–Windsor border is the single largest trade corridor in North America. Unfortunately, participation from Canada was historically low, and we were not able to connect as deeply as we had hoped.

It was with that in mind that I headed to Toronto, the first stop on a Canadian listening tour that will also take me to Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver over the coming year. I have always believed that, in times of challenge, you have to show up and step up. This trip was the first step in doing just that.

IEDC is a global organization, and our goal is to engage different regions of the world in an intentional, strategic way as outlined in our strategic plan. While we cannot be everywhere at once, we can make sure our members’ voices are heard, wherever they are. For our Canadian members, it’s important that they know we understand both their challenges and their opportunities — and that we are here to listen, learn, and act on their feedback.

In Toronto, I met with more than 30 stakeholders over three days, including leaders from business, government, and nonprofits across Ontario. They shared both the opportunities they see and the challenges they face as they lead economic development efforts in communities large and small. There is no question that there are difficulties ahead, but also great promise, and Canadians are rallying together. The optimism I have always known them for remains at the heart of who they are and what they are striving to achieve.

One moment in particular brought that optimism to life. Linda Hasenfratz, Global Chair of Linamar and one of Canada’s most prominent women leaders, said during a fireside chat at the Toronto Global Forum: “We need to focus on the How Yes, not the Why Not.” That focus on progress, specifically on how to move forward rather than why something can’t be done, reverberated throughout my trip, from a roundtable discussion with 11 regional EDO leaders from across the region, to conversations with leaders of BIAs in Toronto, global corporate and diplomatic leaders, and with non-profit leaders pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

Most of all, it echoed in the energy of the city itself — whether watching the Blue Jays advance in the playoffs at a local restaurant or seeing fans pour out of a Maple Leafs game, you could see and feel what brings regions and communities together. That sense of community, the shared passion and spirit, is what binds people together. And no profession embodies that better than economic development.

I left Toronto inspired by our Canadian members and friends, reminded that partnership with our neighbors — literally and figuratively — is what makes our profession and our world stronger. There’s still much to do, and at IEDC, that starts with showing up, staying engaged, and providing our members with the tools and resources they need to drive impact in their communities.

I came away with new ideas, many sparked by direct feedback from members who were both excited and candid about their challenges. While this was only the first stop on my listening tour, it’s clear there are real opportunities ahead to deepen our collaboration and impact.

Finally, a simple message: THANK YOU. Thank you to our Canadian members and everyone who took the time to meet with me. And thank you to our members around the globe who are working to drive a more prosperous future for their communities every day. Being on the ground reminds me of our central mission and why this work matters, and I am honored to share in that journey with all of you.