UNB Alumni
Telling our #ProudlyUNB stories

UNBeknownst #42: Josh LeBrun on social enterprise and building community

Author: UNB Alumni

Posted on Oct 24, 2024

Category: Young Alumni , Podcast , Management , UNB Fredericton


Josh LeBrun (BBA’17) is Executive Director of 12 Neighbours, the tiny-home affordable housing community in Fredericton which has seen success – and global admiration – over the past couple of years. Now complete at 96 homes, the community-focused organization has turned its attention to social enterprise, providing low-barrier, progressive employment opportunities for the people it serves.  

Josh has a passion for social enterprise, entrepreneurship and meaningful contribution. He has a background in both business and design, and co-founded his own business before turning his attention to 12 Neighbours. 

In this episode: 

  • Josh’s background and how he started working with his father, Marcel LeBrun, on the 12 Neighbours enterprise. 
  • The three phases of 12 Neighbours and the goal of doing good in the community. 
  • What it’s like working with family. 
  • The people, profit, planet model of social business. 
  • The challenges of running a social enterprise at the ground level.  
  • How to pay attention and market social enterprise more broadly.  
  • The importance of being able to work within a team.  

Where to listen: 

Links and resources: 

Thanks to: 

To listen to past episodes of UNBeknownst and for more info on the podcast, the hosts and how to subscribe to new episode alerts, visit ourwebsite.