How might a grassroots initiative build a diverse, nationwide coalition to develop and pitch a distinctly Canadian national brain initiative? Working with CBRS executive leadership, we helped identify the organization's strategic priorities with long-term impact in mind, and developed a variety of strategic communications for its stakeholders and audiences. We also designed and facilitated inclusive multi-stakeholder engagements focused on collective visioning and coalition building. The CBRS leadership presented its strategy to the Canadian Parliament in early 2023.