Ashland Productions

Anne Hunter was invited by the executive director of this St. Paul-based youth performing arts organization to facilitate a fast-track strategic planning process in fall 2018. The 20-year-old nonprofit was facing serious growth, identity and alignment issues. Over the course of three sessions, staff and board clarified their mission, vision, values and strategic priorities. More importantly, they got on the same page in terms of organizational direction. The resulting Strategic Framework recast their identity as a metro-wide youth empowerment organization, laying the groundwork for Ashland to become a national force in youth development.  The Strategic Framework articulated four strategic imperatives around program development, space expansion, fund development and community engagement. It was used by staff to create program-specific work plans for the next three years. It inspired the board to form work groups focused on stretch goals for the next 10 years.