Amy Robinson

Courses: Locanomics: Principles for Economic Prosperity

Amy has over 20 years of experience working with businesses to embed sustainability into operations. She has worked with organizations ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to big industries, regional governments, and the UN. However, she has a  passion for small businesses, with their unique challenges and opportunities.

In 2009, Amy founded the not-for-profit organization LOCO BC. LOCO’s work springs from her perception that BC undervalues the economic and social pillars of sustainability that strengthen communities, build resilience, and foster innovation.

At LOCO Amy has spearheaded important research on local business, covering the economic multiplier effect, the impact of online shopping on local businesses, the empty storefront phenomenon, strategies to protect legacy businesses, the economic impact of permit and license wait times, and the lower carbon impact of local products.She also led the development of a Community Impact Assessment tool to measure and improve the economic impact of local businesses.

Amy is a recognized local economy leader, she was a 2013 fellow with the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (now Common Future), was nominated for a YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2020, and has been a sessional instructor at SFU in Local Economics since 2019.