From "Doughnuts" to Deep Roots

The Living Systems Summit 2026
April 13-15, 2026 | Okotoks, Alberta
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Why This Summit Will Change How You Work

Today's challenges can't be solved with yesterday's thinking. Whether you're navigating climate impacts, economic uncertainty, or rapid change in your organization, this summit gives you the tools and connections to build real, lasting solutions.

This isn't about theory. It's about practical strategies you can use Monday morning, featuring world-renowned experts like Kate Raworth (creator of Doughnut Economics), Michael Shuman, and leading systems thinkers.

🤝 Build Real Connections

Network with municipal leaders, business innovators, educators, and community changemakers. Walk away with relationships that spark collaboration.

🚀 Launch Actionable Pilots

Leave with small-scale projects you can start in 30-90 days. No fluff, just practical initiatives that create momentum.

💡 Navigate Complexity

Think Differently. Learn how living systems thinking transforms communities, organizations, and economies—making them more adaptive and resilient.

World-Class Speakers

Elder Reg Crowshoe

Our Relationship With The Land, a Blackfoot Perspective

Join Elder Reg Crowshow for a discussion on how natural laws and oral governance systems shape relationships between people, community, and the land .

Kate Raworth

Seven Ways to Think Like a 21st Century Economist

Creator of the globally acclaimed Doughnut Economics framework. Kate will show you how to build strong local economies that keep value circulating in your community.

Michael Shuman

The End of Economic Development

Leading expert on local economies will share strategies that create cascading benefits for generations—moving beyond costly, extractive models.

Dr. Paul Atkins

Engaging Everyone for the Common Good

Apply Nobel Prize-winning research to strengthen collaboration, trust, and decision-making in your team or community.

Greg Hart

It's Alive: Seeing Towns Through a Living Systems Lense

Learn practical ways to work with the relationships, flows, and patterns already shaping your community.

Myrna Bittner

Visualizing the Invisible

Complex systems are hard to see and understand. This leads us into oversimplification and blind problem-focused approaches. The session will cover how AI can help or hurt in these pursuits.

Rob Avis

The Problem is the Solution, Turning Liabilities into Opportunities Using Regenerative Design

In this talk Rob will discuss how we can bring ancient ways of building forward into a modern context to find new opportunities to shift balance sheet liabilities into profits while saving thye environment.

Who Should Attend

This summit is for anyone shaping how we work and live together:

  • Municipal and government leaders
  • Nonprofit directors and managers
  • Business owners and entrepreneurs
  • Educators and school division leaders
  • Community organizers and innovators
  • Anyone passionate about building resilient communities

Agenda at a Glance

April 13 – Opening Night (Optional)

  • Evening welcome and cultural experience featuring Indigenous perspectives
  • Connect with fellow attendees in an intimate setting

April 14 – Full Summit Day

  • Opening keynote
  • Interactive sessions and hands-on workshops
  • Networking roundtables throughout the day
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner featuring locally sourced ingredients

April 15 – Closing Summit Day

  • Final keynote and interactive sessions
  • Action planning and next steps
  • Closing reflections and connections
  • Breakfast and lunch provided (concludes by 2:30pm)

Pricing

BEST VALUE

In-Person

$529

Full access to all sessions, meals, and networking

Virtual

$129

Live-streamed keynotes and speaker sessions

Need financial assistance? Apply for Pay It Forward sponsorship

Ready to Transform How You See Community?

Join us for three days of insights, connections, and actionable strategies.

Secure Your Ticket

Questions? Email us at OkotoksLSS@okotoks.ca

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