June 23, 2026 | Vancouver Island Conference Centre
Join this one-day summit exploring profit, impact, community wealth-building, and impact investing, and connect with changemakers from across the region tackling society’s most pressing issues. Hosted by Scale Institute.
Early bird tickets are selling fast—on sale until June 1st get yours today!
Tickets Now Available
Scale Institute will host CMI in Nanaimo on June 23, 2026 where we will dive deep into topics relevant to social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and ecosystem builders, with sessions focused on creating sustainable revenue streams, strengthening local networks, and supporting Indigenous-led investing. When you register, do so based on which of the three categories you identify with most – Entrepreneur, Investor or Ecosystem Builder. During the event, you will have the option to remain within your corresponding program stream or you can mix-and-match sessions to create your own unique learning adventure.
We’ll explore how to raise capital for social enterprises, leverage blended finance for social and financial returns, and build systems that go beyond capital alone to create long-term impact in uncertain times.
The day will culminate in a thoughtfully curated reception aimed at helping attendees cultivate meaningful connections. Entertainment and refreshments provided.
Entrepreneurs
Expect sessions to include:
- Raising capital and making investments in uncertain times
- Mobilizing money for impact through social enterprise
- Innovative finance: thinking outside the box to drive change
- Access to capital across the full capital continuum
- Building an enabling system for entrepreneurial success
Investors
Expect sessions to include:
- Investing in our local food economy for long-term impact
- Sustainable investment strategies in ocean, energy, and tourism sectors
- Investing in community assets and ownership for economic resilience
- Investing in the Indigenous economy for sustainable growth
- Blended capital strategies for social and financial returns
Ecosystem Builders
Expect sessions to include:
- Power-sharing and collaboration for community change
- Supporting Indigenous-led projects and investments
- Strengthening local networks for collective impact
- Building systems that support entrepreneurs along their journey
- Creating stability in uncertain times through ecosystem strategies
Choose your own adventure!
We have an exciting agenda with three different learning streams tailored to social entrepreneurs, impact investors, and ecosystem builders. During the event, you can mix-and-match sessions to create your own unique learning adventure.
Doors will open at 8:30 AM, offering coffee and networking opportunities, and conclude with a thoughtfully curated reception designed to foster meaningful connections. Explore the complete agenda in the 2026 Event Guide below.
Thank you to our 2026 Sponsors
We’d like to thank the sponsors of the Nanaimo Connect Money Impact event!
MOMENTUM PARTNERS:
ORGANIZING PARTNERS:
Julie Sperber
Vancouver Island Economic Alliance
CEO
View Bio
Julie Sperber is a connector, entrepreneur, and community builder whose career spans international hospitality, small business ownership, and the nonprofit sector. She is driven by a commitment to creating opportunities and connecting people.
As a business owner and leader in diverse ventures, she has built a strong reputation for fostering partnerships that create mutual benefit and drive positive outcomes.
Since 2017, Julie has dedicated her work to the nonprofit sector, applying an entrepreneurial mindset to strategic management, economic growth, and community development. She is known for identifying opportunities and bringing together capacity and resources to execute.
Now with the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance, Julie is focused and aligned with the VIEA mandate of strengthening the regional economy by fostering collaboration, being active in reconciliation, supporting businesses, and turning ideas into action.
Jolynn Green
Community Futures Central Island
Executive Director
View Bio
Jolynn’s hands-on experience assisting hundreds of small business from startup to expansion and her rich and diverse work experience combined with lifelong learning has created a business acumen steeped in business, human resources, project management, organizational development and nonprofit sector management. She is an entrepreneur at heart and has been self-employed. Jolynn graduated from Royal Roads University in 2005 with a Masters in Leadership and Training.
Jolynn joined the team of Community Futures Central Island (CFCI) in July 2010 as Executive Director. Community Futures, is a federally incorporated not for profit, providing capital to businesses whether operated by an individual, corporation or not for profit. CFCI offers small business finance to entrepreneurs whether a startup, expansion, acquisition or succession. They also provide technical assistance and advisory services for those who are navigating the ins and outs of operating a business in today’s complex world. Jolynn also manages GrowthWorks Vancouver Island Society and their impact investment funds focused on community health and wellness.
CFCI has been involved in both Thriving Non Profits and the Business Legacies Initiative. Revenue generation through diverse avenues is key to the ongoing success of not for profits. Jolynn has facilitated numerous strategic planning sessions for not for profit organization in the central island region and believes that the most important element of strategic planning is engagement/participation from all levels of stakeholders and creating a plan that is accessible and easily executed.
Jolynn and her partner Tim reside in Nanoose. Together they have four children. They are proud grandparents of their granddaughter, Hannah, now seven.
Basma Majerbi
University of Victoria
Director, Impact Investing Hub
View Bio
Dr. Majerbi is an associate professor of finance at Gustavson School of Business, and Director of the Impact Investing Hub at University of Victoria. Her recent research focuses on ESG, impact investing, climate-related financial risks and community energy transitions. She currently leads the business and finance innovation research area of the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation (ACET) initiative, a multidisciplinary, multipartners project dedicated to collaborating with communities to co-create equitable and resilient clean energy solutions that strengthen local economies. She is a recipient of multiple awards for research, teaching and community engagement, including BC Cleantech Educator of Year and Canada Clean50 Award.
Kristi Rivait
Scale Collaborative,
Director, Partnerships
and Programs
View Bio
Kristi Rivait is a social entrepreneur with 20+ years of executive-level experience. In 2014, she co-founded Scale Collaborative and is their Director of Partnerships and Programs.
Kristi is renowned for her expertise in organizational transformation, sustainable financial growth and building community wealth. Kristi has coached and empowered hundreds of organizations to achieve greater societal impact through diversified revenue, scaling programs, asset and real estate acquisition, social enterprise, partnerships, and investment.
Kristi co-developed Thriving Non-Profits, initially a local initiative in Victoria, BC. Over the past three years, she has scaled the Thriving Non-Profits revenue diversification leadership program across Canada and transformed it from a single program into one of the country’s leading non-profit and social enterprise innovation and learning hubs.
Kristi is the co-founder and Board President of the Thrive Impact Fund, which provides patient, flexible capital to non-profits, charities, and social enterprises across BC. The fund offers investors the opportunity to achieve financial returns while making a deep impact in their communities.
Sign up for updates
Join convening partner Scale Collaborative’s newsletter for updates on CMI Nanaimo 2026:
Copyright © 2026 CMI | All Rights Reserved