306: Strategic Planning Tips with Kate Scherr-Adams

In this episode, I discuss the importance of strategic planning tailored to the size and needs of your organization with special guest Kate Scherr-Adams. We talk about the significance of stakeholder engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and how to develop focused, actionable plans. Plus insights on right-sizing your strategic initiatives, making data-informed decisions, and fostering a collaborative environment within your team. Episode Highlights 03:09 Challenges and Changes in Strategic Planning 05:16 Strategic Planning Essentials 07:25 Tailoring Strategic Planning to Organizational Needs 11:31 Importance of Stakeholder Engagement 16:45 Adapting to Organizational Challenges 20:26 Uncovering Organizational Issues Early On 20:58 The Importance of External Perspective 22:15 Strategic Planning vs. Organizational Readiness 24:20 Defining and Engaging Stakeholders 27:41 Collecting and Utilizing Data Effectively 32:47 Incorporating DEI in Strategic Planning Meet the Guest Kate Scherr-Adams, is a strategist, trainer, and facilitator dedicated to helping nonprofits and public-sector organizations navigate challenges and drive meaningful change. With a background in social work and nonprofit management, she founded KS Solutions Consulting in 2011, specializing in professional development, DEI, and workplace wellness. Kate has held senior leadership roles at Business Volunteers Maryland, the Family League of Baltimore City, and more, bringing expertise in strategic planning, board dynamics, and partnership building. She also teaches strategy and community engagement at UMBC. An avid volunteer, nature lover, and community advocate, Kate believes in listening to the birds, not the thunder—an outlook that guides both her work and life. Connect with Kate: website: https://www.kssolution.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katescherr-adams/ Sponsored Resource Join the Inspired Nonprofit Leadership Newsletter for weekly tips and inspiration for leading your nonprofit! Access it here >> Be sure to subscribe to Inspired Nonprofit Leadership so that you don't miss a single episode, and while you're at it, won't you take a moment to write a short review and rate our show? It would be greatly appreciated! Let us know the topics or questions you would like to hear about in a future episode. You can do that and follow us on LinkedIn.