Strategic Planning

Informed by the school’s current context and stakeholder input, translated into clear priorities and measurable targets.

Strategic Planning is the disciplined process of defining an organization’s direction and priorities, clarifying mission and vision, and setting measurable goals and actions to achieve long-term success. It aligns people and resources around what matters, tracks progress and adjusts overtime to keep the organization moving forward.

I help schools and mission-driven organizations clarify mission and vision, define direction and priorities, and translate them into measurable strategic targets that guide the next phase of implementation planning.

My Approach

I use a structured process designed to move from insight to measurable strategic targets. It starts with understanding the school’s current realities and identifying the most important gaps between where the school is today and where it aspires to be. From there, I gather focused stakeholder input and work with the board and leadership to align on direction, priorities, and what success looks like. That input is synthesized into a small set of clear themes, which are then translated into strategic targets with clear measures of success, ready to guide the next phase of implementation planning.

Process at a glance

  1. Understand Current realities

  2. Identify Core gaps

  3. Stakeholder input

  4. Board/leadership alignment

  5. Themes

  6. Strategic targets + measures

Strategic Planning Services

Strategic planning support is scope-based and tailored to your context, timeline, and level of inclusion. Most work falls into one of these four engagement types.

  • A comprehensive process that builds a strong evidence base, creates alignment, and results in clear strategic targets with measures of success.

    Typically includes:

    • Comprehensive Governance and Operational Leadership Gap Analysis

    • Stakeholder input (surveys, focus groups, interviews)

    • Facilitate multi-stakeholder Strategic Planning Taskforce

    • Board and leadership alignment retreat

    • Themes and recommendations

    • Proposed strategic targets with clear measures of success

  • A streamlined process designed to clarify direction, align leadership, and develop a small set of strategic targets without running a full multi-month process.

    Typically includes:

    • A focused Governance and Operational Leadership Gap Analysis

    • A short stakeholder pulse (survey and/or small focus groups)

    • Facilitated board and leadership alignment session(s)

    • Synthesis into themes

    • Strategic targets with measures of success

  • Support for schools that already have draft priorities or targets and want expert feedback to strengthen clarity, focus, measurability, and coherence.

     Typically includes:

    • Review of existing priorities/targets and supporting materials

    • Feedback on clarity, alignment, feasibility, and measures of success

    • Refinement suggestions and language tightening

    • Optional working session with leadership and/or the board to finalize targets

  • This gap analysis gives leadership a clear picture of how governance and operational practices are currently supporting or limiting the school’s ability to move forward strategically. Through a structured review and benchmarking against accreditation-aligned expectations and best-practice operating norms, it identifies strengths, friction points, and priority areas for improvement so strategic planning is grounded in what is both needed and realistically achievable.

  “Kristi demonstrates a keen understanding of the complexities involved in managing various agendas, ideas and perspectives. Her guidance has been critical in fostering a collaborative and focused environment, enabling us to make more informed decisions and take strategic actions that contribute to our school's success. One aspect that sets Kristi apart, is her willingness to go above and beyond. She has always been approachable and ready to provide assistance whenever and wherever needed.”

‍ ‍- Dr. Cassandra Hazel, Head of School, American International School Monrovia

Related Support

Strategic targets land best when governance is clear and communication is steady. You may also be interested in:

Governance Leadership | Mission and Vision Development | Strategic Communications

Clarity | Simplicity | Focus