More Than a Feeling: How Communities Turn Data into Development
No two communities have the same story to tell — and no two use data in the same way.
In this session, panelists from Cranbrook and Langley City will share how they’ve built their own data journeys:
- Cranbrook’s real-time construction dashboards, capital works mapping, and transparent tourism and hotel tax reporting.
- Langley City’s recent launch of a flexible platform that includes a new social data module, reflecting the community’s cultural and socio-economic identity.
We’ll also highlight creative examples from across Canada: workforce data that supports attraction strategies, business directories, economic impact calculators that help win grants and guide policy, and sharing insights with the Council, Board, investors, and businesses.
This panel showcases how communities are choosing their own path, customizing data platforms to reflect their priorities, and proving that economic development data is never one-size-fits-all.
About the Speakers
Sasha Bogdanovic
Sasha Bogdanovic
Sasha Bogdanovic is the CEO and co-founder of CityViz, an award-winning provider of the CityViz economic development data platform, used by communities and organizations across Canada to attract investment and boost economic growth. With over 23 years of experience as a data specialist, Sasha has delivered data products for provincial and local governments as well as the private sector.
He holds a Master of Science degree in Computer Science and was recognized as a top performer in the inaugural class of the Data Science Specialization by Johns Hopkins University and Coursera. Sasha was also a winner of the BC Housing Market Data Visualization Challenge by BC Stats and Innovate BC.
Izabela Bogdanovic
Izabela Bogdanovic
Izabela Bogdanovic is the Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer at CityViz, where she leads the product vision and strategy to make urban data more accessible, intuitive, and actionable. With a background in economics and visual communication, Izabela brings a unique perspective to bridging complex data with human-centered design. Her career has been driven by the belief that data should not only inform but also empower, enabling cities to plan more effectively, make transparent decisions, and foster stronger community engagement.
Motivated by the challenge of translating raw information into clear insights, Izabela co-founded CityViz to create tools that help governments and citizens alike understand and shape the future of their communities. As CPO, she guides cross-functional teams in building products that combine analytical rigor with intuitive design, ensuring CityViz solutions are both powerful and accessible. Her work reflects a commitment to using technology and design to create more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.
Wendy Dupley, Ec.D.
Wendy Dupley, Ec.D.
Wendy is the part-time Economic Development Advisor for Langley City, BC. She’s also the founder and principal of WeDu Consulting from Nova Scotia. Wendy is well-known as an innovative, strategic, and visionary leader with over 25 years of global expertise working across three continents and at all three levels of government.
Wendy is renowned for her pioneering adoption of technology to support innovative tactics and brings those experiences to her communities. She had led several communities to Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) Smart 21 and Top 7 designations. She is a certified economic developer Ec.D..
Wendy is an award-winning professional who has been recognized at national and provincial levels in Canada for many of her initiatives, including the 2013 EDAC Marketing Canada Awards and 2018 FCM International Contributor Award. She was also recognized in 2019 as a top 25 economic developer in North America by a site selector publication. Wendy is a past-president of EDAC and was honoured in 2024 with both the President’s Award and made an Honorary Life Member of the Association.
Darren Brewer, Ec.D.
Darren Brewer, Ec.D.
Darren Brewer is a seasoned economic developer with a proven track record of driving investment, innovation, and community growth across British Columbia. As a passionate advocate for regional development, Darren plays a pivotal role in promoting Cranbrook as the commercial and transportation hub of the Kootenays, attracting new business opportunities and fostering strong partnerships across the Pacific Northwest.
With an understanding of supply chain dynamics, infrastructure strategy, and foreign direct investment, Darren brings a strategic lens to every project he undertakes—whether leading cross-border trade initiatives, championing funding equity for rural regions, or advancing investment ready urban planning.
Darren is a sought-after voice in economic development circles, known for his collaborative leadership style, data-driven insights, and commitment to building communities. He is especially focused on connecting industry with opportunity and ensuring that Cranbrook is a part of the broader conversation on growth and innovation.
