York House School

“Spark”-ing Purpose, Shaping Tomorrow Through Strategic Planning

In 2023, York House School embarked on a transformative journey to create a bold, new strategic plan. With a new Head of School and a collaborative approach involving the Board, Leadership Team, and the broader community, the school aimed to reflect its evolving vision and position itself for ongoing success. The result was the launch of “Spark,” a strategic plan designed to ignite curiosity, inspire purpose, and empower change. This is the story of how we helped York House School bring their vision to life.

Key Team Members
Shelly Berlin
Mackenzie Farrell

A Profound Experience

The strategic planning process was a deeply impactful experience for York House School. Through community surveys, research, and consultation sessions, we facilitated a collaborative environment where every stakeholder had a voice in shaping the school’s future. This inclusive approach not only strengthened connections within the community but also ensured that the final strategy aligned with the school’s core values and aspirations. The process fostered a shared vision that unified the leadership and the broader school community.

Practical Solutions

The solutions we provided were tailored to York House’s unique needs, designed to be both actionable and practical. Our six-step methodology guided the school through every phase of the strategic planning process. From in-person planning sessions to action planning workshops, we empowered the leadership team with clear, practical steps to implement the strategic plan. This approach ensured a seamless transition from strategy development to execution, providing York House with the tools needed to achieve their goals.

Bolder Futures

The impact of this work has been profound, enabling York House School to position itself as a leader in education. The launch of “Spark” in 2024 will redefine the way the school educates, focusing on empowering students to lead with creativity and courage. This strategic plan not only sets the stage for the school’s future success but also contributes to a broader societal impact, helping to create a generation of students prepared to drive positive change in an ever-evolving world. View the plan here.

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  • Berlineaton’s approach to strategy development and execution is a great way to re-visit our current plan and not only discuss and see where we were but to dream about where we will go next.

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    Balmoral Hall School

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    Shelly Berlin

    BA, MBA, FCMC, ACC
    Strategist, Confidante, Entrepreneur.

    Shelly Berlin brings over 30 years of strategic insight and transformational leadership to Berlineaton as co-founding and managing partner.

    She began her consulting career with Andersen Consulting and Price Waterhouse – global experience that led to the launch of Berlineaton in 1996. She holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Alberta, an MBA from UBC, is a Certified Management Consultant and an ICF-certified Executive Coach. In 2017, Shelly and her partner Richard Eaton were named Fellows of the Canadian Association of Management Consultants and were later honoured with CMC’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. She also holds an ESG governance designation from Competent Boards.

    Throughout her career, Shelly has worked with more than 1,200 clients across government, not-for-profits, independent schools, and private sectors. She is known for her inclusive, collaborative approach and her ability to help clients execute strategy that achieves significant impact.

    As Chair of the St. Michaels University School Board, now in her fourth term, she led the global Head of School search that resulted in Dr. Jeff Aitken’s appointment and co-led the development of the Floreat 2020–2030 strategic plan.

    Shelly lives in Victoria with her family, including two teenagers, husband Richard Eaton, two cats, and a frog named Froakie.

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    Mackenzie Farrell

    BSC, MMgmt, CMC
    Collaborator, Community Builder, Go-Getter.

    Mackenzie is an Engagement Lead and Independent School Practice Lead at Berlineaton. Known for her experience in strategy development and execution, she brings an innate sense of curiosity, meticulous attention to detail, and a strong interpersonal focus to all aspects of her work.

    Mackenzie specializes in working with independent schools, helping them to navigate unique challenges and build stronger, more sustainable institutions. She has worked with over 20 schools across Canada.

    With a deep-seated passion in helping organizations foster visionary futures for themselves, Mackenzie excels in guiding organizations through an engagement and people-centric approach on growth and improvement. Her strategic insights and commitment ensure that her clients achieve sustainable success.

    Outside of the office, she can be found taking advantage of all the world-class access to nature that the West Coast of Canada has to offer, including her favourite past times, skiing, surfing, and hiking with her husband and dog Molson.