Pathways’ Founding CEO and managing partner, Laurie Sterritt, reflects on her 2025 travels so far.

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The first half of 2025 has been a whirlwind! I’ve been on what I lightheartedly refer to as my “listening and learning” tour, which has taken me from Washington D.C. for the AGB’s 2025 Foundation Leadership Forum, to Las Vegas for the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) 2025, across the country to Halifax for the CCIB East Coast Business Forum & Awards Dinner, back to Toronto for the Canadian Club’s “Indigenous Economic Leadership in a Changing Global Landscape” luncheon, and most recently to the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) Annual Conference 2025.

On my travels, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with leaders from diverse industries and backgrounds – individuals from Africa, Europe, Australia, South America, the USA, and right here at home in Canada. And while it’s hard to escape daily headlines that paint a bleak picture of global uncertainty, instability, and upheaval (economically, politically, and socially), the overwhelming sentiment I have encountered on the road has been refreshingly different.

At every event, in every discussion, and with every new connection, I have come away with a renewed sense of the powerful, unwavering commitment and passion that exists for creating a healthier, more equitable future… for our planet, our communities, and our families. Three common threads have emerged for me:

• People want to collaborate: There’s a palpable desire to connect with like-minded professionals across borders, to share knowledge and find innovative ways to amplify stories and celebrate collective successes. The understanding is clear: we are stronger together.
• People are investing for meaningful impact: I also sensed a core focus on channeling resources and energy into initiatives that deliver practical, tangible outcomes for all. This includes a strong, unified push to continue increasing Indigenous participation and leadership within the global economy.
• Indigenous Peoples are focused on strengthening sovereignty and resilience: I heard, over and over, that for First Nations and Indigenous tribes worldwide, the journey towards strengthening sovereignty, self-determination, and building resilient communities and economies is critical.

All over, people are weaving a tapestry of shared purpose and care for one another, and it excites me because this resonates and aligns with our work at Pathways. The visions leaders around the world are articulating are bold and inspiring, and I love that we can offer Indigenous recruitment solutions to organizations who embody these values and who are driving positive change, including:

• Nia Tero, a global non-profit working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples and movements worldwide.
• Visionary communities like K’omoks First Nation, who are forging their own path through modern treaties and self-governance.
• The Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), an organization prioritizing and embedding Indigenous relations at a leadership level.

While uncertainty is our only constant, and the road ahead guarantees challenges, approaching all of it with equanimity is so important. And it’s this principle that underpins my renewed optimism, echoing Pathways’ core values: authentic understanding, humility, kindness, and compassion in every interaction, balanced with the fierce confidence in our knowledge and experience. Bearing witness, during my recent travels, to a universal desire for a better future has been profound and inspiring – there’s a powerful, regenerating collective spirit that’s driving decisions and action worldwide. This fills me with courage and hope.

Forward on the path!

 Laurie