March 11-13, 2026
Radisson Hotel Vancouver Airport, Richmond BC
The Local Government Leadership Academy’s annual forum brings together senior staff and elected officials from local governments and First Nations to explore innovative ways to collaborate and drive positive transformation.
The 2026 conference theme is The 2026 conference theme is Finishing Strong: Legacy, Leadership and What Comes Next. The Forum will offer space to reflect, renew, and refocus. Finishing Strong is about more than closing a chapter – it’s about honouring accomplishments, stewarding resources, strengthening relationships, and shaping a legacy that endures.
Finishing Strong: Legacy, Leadership & What Comes Next
As local leaders approach the culmination of their term, the 2026 LGLA Leadership Forum offers space to reflect, renew, and refocus. Finishing Strong is about more than closing a chapter—it’s about honouring accomplishments, stewarding resources, strengthening relationships, and shaping a legacy that endures.
This year’s Leadership Forum invites participants to celebrate their contributions, capture their stories, and prepare for what’s next—both personally and for their communities. Through thought-provoking sessions and meaningful dialogue, participants will explore the many dimensions of leadership and legacy.
Attendees will explore ways to:
- Strengthen their legacy through sound, lasting financial stewardship
- Build resilience and trust through effective crisis leadership
- Capture and share their leadership story to inspire others
- Shape the future of local leadership learning with their feedback.
- Approach elections and transitions with optimism and integrity
- Nurture relationships that sustain trust and effective leadership.
Finish Strong. Leave a Legacy. Lead Forward.
2026 LGLA Leadership Forum Program: Post-Forum Materials
The sessions that utilized materials and informational presentations are listed below, with materials linked.
Wednesday, March 11
Lead with a Story (Part 1): Turning Your Journey into Impact
Presenter:
- Bill Baker, Founder & Principal, BB&Co Strategic Storytelling
Behind every local leader is a storyteller. Join renowned speaker Bill Baker for an engaging session on the power of storytelling in leadership communication. Learn how to craft stories that inspire, persuade, and strengthen your message—while reflecting on your own leadership journey, celebrating your contributions, and preparing for what’s next for you, and your community.
Session Materials:
Thursday, March 12
Stewarding the Finish Line: Legacy, Leadership, and Lasting Value
Presenters:
- Councillor Melanie McCollum, City of Courtenay
- Presentation: “Funding Sustainable Service Delivery”
- Mayor Dean Murdock, District of Saanich
- Jacqueline Weston, Asset Management Program Manager, District of Saanich:
- Presentation: “Saanich’s Asset Management Journey”
After years of service, your community’s roads, facilities, assets, and relationships all tell a story of your council’s leadership. In this session, two communities will share the steps they’ve taken toward sustainable financial and asset planning, and how they are preparing for long‑term stewardship that extends well beyond any single term of office.
Truth & Reconciliation in Practice: Working in a Good Way
Presenters:
- Chair Jen Ford, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
- Heather Paul, CAO, Squamish-Lillooet Regional District
- Gwen Bridge, Founder, Gwen Bridge Consulting
This session will highlight the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District’s Truth & Reconciliation: In Practice, A Guide for Working in a Good Way, exploring how its values-based, role-driven approach moves reconciliation beyond checklists and into meaningful organizational practice. Panelists will share how the framework was conceptualized and developed, and how the SLRD is embedding and sustaining it throughout the upcoming election transition and beyond.
Friday, March 13
Lead with a Story (Part 2): Building Your Library
Facilitator:
- Councillor Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, LGLA President
Build on the insights from Bill Baker’s storytelling session by expanding your personal story library in this hands-on follow-up workshop. Through guided exercises and peer exchange, participants will identify and shape additional stories that strengthen their communication with key audiences and help capture the legacy of their term.
Session Materials:
Many thanks to the Municipal Finance Authority of BC for supporting the 2026 LGLA Leadership Forum program.
2026 Forum Partners & Sponsors
Many thanks to the 2026 LGLA Leadership Forum Partners & Sponsors
