On October 4, 2024, we gathered for the 2nd annual Social Enterprise Symposium, a day filled with innovation, inspiration, and community spirit. Held at the Saint John Arts Centre, a social enterprise supporting local artists, the event brought together 75 attendees, all dedicated to advancing social enterprise in New Brunswick.

One of the highlights of the day was keynote speaker Shaun Loney, a renowned social enterprise leader from Winnipeg and Ashoka Fellow. Loney delivered an engaging talk on the two types of government funding—grants and procurement—and challenged New Brunswick’s nonprofits to rethink their relationship with the government. He urged them to consider using market-based tools to integrate into government procurement processes, sparking new conversations around sustainability and long-term impact.

Shaun Loney during his keynote at the Symposium

The symposium also featured resource-sharing by Wendy Keats, Seth Asimakos, and Alexandra-Gaetane Delva, who provided valuable insights and tools for social enterprises looking to grow and thrive. Their presentations helped equip attendees with actionable knowledge to navigate the evolving landscape of social entrepreneurship.

We were also excited to showcase five emerging social enterprises, who pitched their innovative organizations to the audience. All of these promising ventures have been supported by the Pond-Deshpande Centre’s Social Enterprise NB programs, further demonstrating the importance of local collaboration and support networks in driving social impact. 

In addition to these inspiring talks and pitches, we were thrilled to welcome students from Saint Thomas University’s new social enterprise program, along with leaders from across the province. It was a unique opportunity for these future changemakers to connect with seasoned professionals in the sector. 

A key part of the event was the curation of food by Stone Soup, a beloved local social enterprise known for its community-driven mission. Their involvement embodied the spirit of the day, reminding us of the vital role social enterprises play in our local economy. 

To round off the event, attendees toured four local social enterprises: the Social Enterprise Hub, Saint John Learning Exchange, Key Industries, and the Saint John Tool Library. Each stop showcased the diverse and meaningful work being done in the city, providing valuable insight into how social enterprises are tackling some of the region’s most pressing social challenges. 

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us for this enriching day, from the passionate attendees to the inspiring speakers. The symposium not only highlighted the progress we’ve made but also reminded us of the opportunities ahead as we continue to foster a vibrant social enterprise ecosystem in New Brunswick.

The Pond-Deshpande Centre extends a sincere thank you to the Economic and Social Inclusion Corporation (ESIC) for their ongoing support of Social Enterprise NB. This symposium wouldn’t have been possible without their dedication to fostering social enterprise across the province.

Here’s to many more years of collaboration, growth, and social impact!

Stay engaged in the social enterprise momentum in NB:

Sign and share our open letter advocating for a social enterprise strategy (it only takes 1 minute!).
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If you’re running a social enterprise, fill in our short survey (10 minutes or less) to help us better understand the needs of the sector to include in our advocacy work.

Social Enterprise NB | www.socialenterprisenb.ca

Questions? Contact: Vanessa Paesani | vanessa.paesani@unb.ca