Thank You for Joining Us
On March 25, 2026, community members from across our region gathered for our third annual Community Conversation featuring Doug Griffiths at St. Martin's University's Norman Worthington Center. Together, we explored what it means to build stronger, more connected communities—rooted in belonging, shared responsibility, and local action.
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped shape such a meaningful evening. Conversations like these are what make more possible—sparking ideas, strengthening relationships, and inspiring collective action across our region.
Curious what emerged from the evening? Explore highlights and reflections from the conversation, including key themes and ideas shared by participants. Read the full recap.
If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to revisit the discussion, we invite you to watch the full recording, generously provided by our nonprofit partners at TVW.
About the Conversation
At the Community Foundation of South Puget Sound, we are committed to fostering collaboration, engagement, and inclusion—and we envision a future where everyone across the South Sound can thrive in sustainable, equitable, and resilient communities.
Our annual Community Conversation has brought neighbors from across our region together to explore what it takes to build a healthier, more connected community. We began by learning how to engage in courageous conversations across differences with Mónica Guzmán. Last year, we explored what it means to be engaged community members and strengthen belonging in our civic life with Eric Liu.
This year's Community Conversation invites us to look inward—and forward.
Doug Griffiths, author of 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, challenges us to examine the assumptions and habits that can quietly stall growth and opportunity in our communities and region. Rather than relying on government or funding as quick fixes, Doug asks us to consider how our own attitudes and choices shape the future of our community—and what's possible when we take responsibility for creating change locally.
Meet Doug Griffiths
Chief Community Builder, 13 Ways Inc.
Doug Griffiths is a wildly popular community strategist and author of two best-selling editions of 13 Ways. He has supported, guided, and inspired hundreds of communities to create effective change. Whether through speaking and presentations or through advising and consulting, he is dedicated to helping communities across North America find their own pathway to success.
Growing up on a ranch outside a small community provided Doug Griffiths with a strong work ethic and a practical education grounded in problem-solving and critical thinking. He went on to earn an Honors BA in Philosophy, a Bachelor of Education, and later completed the Executive MBA program at the University of Alberta.
After several years of teaching and ranching, Doug served four consecutive terms as an elected Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Province of Alberta. During that time, he held senior Cabinet roles as Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister of Service Alberta, as well as junior portfolios in Agriculture, Finance, and Solicitor General.
Doug retired from politics in 2015 to pursue his passion for helping communities, organizations, and businesses grow stronger. Through his best-selling book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community, Doug identifies common challenges that limit progress and highlights practical opportunities for change—lessons that apply to communities of all sizes, as well as to organizations and businesses.
His work focuses on confronting unhelpful narratives, overcoming resistance to change, communicating with those who are hesitant or uncertain, and building durable prosperity rooted in local leadership and shared responsibility.
“Our attitudes ultimately drive the way we see the world, the way we respond to it, and the choices we make. It is our attitudes that ultimately lead to our success or our failure as communities, organizations, businesses, and beyond."
Grateful for Our Community
Please join us in expressing thanks to Browsers Bookshop for joining us at the reception and providing copies of Doug’s books for attendees to enjoy—and have signed by the author. As always, we encourage you to shop local and pick up your copy of 13 Ways at Browsers or your favorite bookstore in your community.
Thank You to Friends Of the Foundation
Community Conversations are made possible in part by the generous support of our Friends Of the Foundation—individuals, families, groups, and local businesses—who help sustain our annual operations and community engagement work. Anyone can become a Friend and join us in making more good possible across the South Sound. Learn more and join through the link below.
Gratitude For Past Conversations
Thank you to everyone who attended our inaugural Community Conversation with Mónica Guzmán in 2024, and last year's Community Conversation with Eric Liu. We invite our community to revisit the recaps and tools from past conversations at any time.