Dr. Gretchen Ferguson has 20+ years in post-secondary and non-profit settings, leading community engagement, social impact projects and initiatives, and educational programs locally and internationally. She is deeply committed to fostering a more equitable economic system that fosters community, individual and environmental well-being. As Senior Program Manager at The Forum, Gretchen leads a national initiative to Accelerate Financial Inclusion and Access to business capital for women entrepreneurs in all their diversity. She previously worked at Simon Fraser University for 15 years as Director of Global Engagement, Associate Director of Community Engagement, and Director of the Sustainable Development Program. Gretchen holds a PhD in Human Geography from SFU and a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia.