Strategic Plan Drives Program Integration, New Partnerships and New Funding

By Jackie Sherman

The new executive director of a refugee services agency needed to develop a new strategic plan during a tough economic environment. More than 50% of the staff had come onboard after the last plan was developed, and most had no previous planning experience. The goal was to be more aspirational, yet scalable so that the strategic directions could remain relevant across various economic conditions. We designed and facilitated a highly interactive process led by the senior leaders which would engage all staff members. Input was gathered from the board, staff, funders, strategic partners, and clients. The plan articulated a comprehensive set of desired outcomes, a clear theory of change, comprehensive strategies, and related actions to achieve those outcomes – including program integration and inter-agency partnerships. The plan, which resulted in a high degree of buy-in from board and staff, and favorable feedback from donors, was an excellent tool for fundraising.

Find this interesting? Please share:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Donna Willis

There's something different about the way you're able to relate. It feels more genuine than simply that you're doing a job; while always being exceedingly professional.

Donna Willis

Former Board Chair / Actor's Express

Bruce Carmichael

For 2 1/2 years Jackie provided consulting support to our diversity leadership group and facilitated numerous large and small group interventions thorough our business unit. She is very talented and brings to the table an extensive experience base coupled with a level of insight not found in many consultants. I recommend her highly.

Bruce Carmichael

Human Resources Manager (retired) / BP Corporation

Micah Porter

Coaching with Jackie has helped me in taking a softer, more personal approach to working with clients. She has an ability to listen very closely, not just to the verbal, but also the nonverbal. She knows when to dig deeper and notices what I didn’t see about myself before. She has also helped me become more systematic and consistent as a small business owner.

Micah Porter, CFA, CFP

President and CEO / Minerva Planning Group

Brian Williams

Jackie got me to slow down, which gave me space to think differently. She especially helped me, in my leadership role, work through getting others to collaborate and think through challenges on their own. Jackie creates a good connection, where I can speak freely and feel listened to – it has been valuable for my personal development.

Brian Williams

VP Development / Select Medical Corporation

Marianne Garber – AA

Jackie led us through a strategic planning process that included input from our multi-generational congregation and leadership team, resulting in a dynamic plan that we put immediately into action. The outcome is that we’ve experienced a new level of growth and vibrancy for our congregation. Jackie is highly skilled at working with groups – she was just the right person for this endeavor.

Marianne Garber, PhD

Ahavath Achim Synagogue

Emily Pelton

Jackie facilitated a strategic planning process for our organization that received very positive feedback from our board and donors. I was impressed by her ability to work through the high-level conceptual challenges. And as a leader, I truly appreciated her willingness to ask the hard questions and challenge me to think things through, which always improves the end product.

Emily Pelton

Executive Director / Refugee Family Services

Lara Dorfman

The strategic planning process Jackie facilitated resulted in a plan and structure that has enabled us to better organize our work, broaden our service area, improve fundraising, and engage volunteers – the plan helps us fulfill our mission. Jackie did a great job of managing all of our opinions and passion in an honest, but delicate way.

Lara Dorfman

Executive Director (former) / Jewish Educational Loan Fund

Jeff Alpern

I’m so pleased that, several years after working with Jackie to complete our strategic plan, we are running the organization using the plan as an actionable template. The plan has become embedded into our culture. Jackie’s approach is smart, practical and very thorough. We trusted her process and got the result we wanted.

Jeff Alperin

Board Member / Jewish Educational Loan Fund

Jennifer Bauer-Lyons

Jackie’s coaching has helped me to lead better in what can be an emotionally charged theatre environment. She helps me get to the core issues, deal with the bigger picture, and formulate an action plan. She is very responsive and resourceful and draws from her deep experience in both the for-profit and non-profit worlds, which gives us new perspectives and insights.

Jennifer Bauer-Lyons

Managing Producer (former) / Horizon Theatre Company

Mary Ellen Davis

Jackie has been a coach and strategic thinking partner for me since 2004. She is a great listener and her broad base of knowledge provides an outside perspective to think through problems in ways I can’t do on my own. Jackie helps me come up with processes, is good at showing me my strengths, and she’s helped me add very useful tools to my toolbox.

MED

Executive Director / National Membership Association

Marian McClellan

You can either win or lose during a transition, so it’s important to pay attention to this critical time. The first transition Jackie coached me through was so successful that I have retained her for every work transition for the last 10 years. She helps me get a clear view of the situation and approach it strategically. Her keen observation skills set her apart from everyone else I’ve worked with.

Marian McClellan

Ralph Clements

Jackie helped me 'see' the right questions to ask.

Ralph Clements

VP of Manufacturing and Technology (former) / BP Fabrics and Fibers and Imperial Sugar

Brad Mortimer

We made dramatic progress in 300 days. I don’t usually praise consultants in public, but we couldn’t have done this without Jackie Sherman.

Brad Mortimer

Retired President / Propex Fabrics Company

Patrick Prevost

Please accept my sincere thanks for your excellent organisation. It really made it a successful event! Your dedication and your support to the design team were essential factors in this success. You managed to keep us on track with the schedule without constraining the group's creativity. I was positively surprised with the way we were able to engage such a large group and raise all the critical issues. And it was quite remarkable to see us achieve consensus around a very good list of action items. A lot of this, was due to your engagement and experience!

Patrick Prevost

Strategy and Development Manager (former) / BP Chemicals

Emily Deakins

Working with Jackie was truly a developmental experience and a real pleasure. She was able to “get to know me” very quickly, using probing questions and strong listening skills, and then effectively used that knowledge to ask challenging questions throughout the coaching experience, forcing me to look at things differently and explore different options. She brings a holistic approach to coaching, helping the client discover the connections between different aspects of work and life, and the interdependencies of mental, physical and emotional states. It is this unique approach, and the resulting new awareness found, which has made a long lasting difference for me.

VP Global Diversity / Fortune 50 Company

Dianne Smith

I have worked with a variety of consultants over the years and have only highest praise for Jackie’s consulting abilities. She worked with a variety of individual and groups during our project. In each of these relationships she met and exceeded our expectations. We would jump at the chance to re-engage Jackie in the future on any organizational change or organizational development project.

Dianne Smith

Director of Human Resources / Emory University General Libraries

Frances Maloy

You helped us with many important changes. Our organization is a different place now. We have greatly improved our communication and decision-making. The 3 years that we worked together were very rewarding for me and rich with learning. I had very challenging times and I could not have made it through without your support. I believe the library has a better result from our reorganization because of your involvement with us.

Frances Maloy

Division Leader and Redesign Project Manager / Emory University General Libraries

K’Lynne Johnson

Since 1999, I've had the pleasure of working with Jackie in multiple roles and scenarios. Her expertise in effective organization design, change and leadership is unique both because of her truly global, diverse experience base; and because of her deep theoretical knowledge paired with ongoing practical application.

K'Lynne Johnson

CEO (former) / Elevance Renewable Sciences

Morinee Terry

Jackie meets you where you are, works with you to clarify where you want to go, and helps you get there! She has a gift for creating an environment where you can sense her expertise at work without feeling like the latest 'coaching tool' is being pulled out and used on you. Her commitment to excellence, growth, and success has been instrumental in helping me achieve several professional and personal goals.

Morinee Terry

Human Resources Manager