Legal Aid BC

Continuous Improvement: Streamlining Development Services for a Growing Community

Legal Aid BC engaged Berlineaton to lead a comprehensive strategic planning initiative in support of new leadership and a changing sector landscape. Over the course of a year, we facilitated interviews, workshops, and staff-wide engagement sessions using our proven Strategy Development and Execution methodology. The result was a collaboratively developed Strategic Framework, approved by the board, and a strengthened leadership team ready to steer the organization through future change.

Key Team Members
Shelly Berlin
Tobias Mehra
Cathryn Chase

A Profound Experience

Amid rising demand, evolving service delivery models, and the emergence of new players in the legal support sector, Legal Aid BC found itself at a pivotal moment. With new leadership in place, the organization sought to develop a strategic plan that would not only guide its next chapter but also reflect the voices of staff, board members, and the communities it serves. Berlineaton was engaged to lead this process, helping the organization articulate change through a bold, responsive, and inclusive vision for the future.

Practical Solutions

Over 12 months, Berlineaton worked closely with the organization using our Strategy Development and Execution methodology. The initiative included:

  • 3–5 project management and debrief sessions with the internal project team
  • 21 one-on-one interviews with Board Members and leadership to gather critical insights
  • A series of strategic planning workshops with 20 participants
  • An all-staff conference with 160 participants
  • Board meetings involving 12 members to ensure alignment and endorsement

These engagements helped surface core challenges, identify opportunities, and ensure a shared understanding of the organization’s direction at every level.

Bolder Futures:

The initiative culminated in a new, board-approved Strategic Framework that provides clear direction and sets the stage for future success. Beyond the framework itself, the process built lasting internal capacity for strategic planning, with executive leaders now more confident and equipped to guide the organization through ongoing change. With stronger alignment, deeper engagement, and a renewed sense of purpose, the organization is poised to meet the evolving needs of its clients and the sector it serves.

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Related services

Strategy Development
& Execution

Collaborative
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  • The emphasis on Strategic Management was important to us, since we didn't want a plan that sat on the shelf after several months of strategic thinking. I found that Berlineaton didn't come to our organization with a preconception of what our strategic plan would look like, but they made an authentic effort to understand the people in our community and be in tune with its ethos, its goals and its people. They gained trust and confidence and continue to work with us on the implementation of our tactical plan.

    Head of School in Victoria,

    British Columbia

  • I have engaged Berlineaton over the years to support a few different initiatives. I have found they bring very strong skills and tools in the areas of strategic planning, change management, facilitation, problem solving, project management, engagement management and team building.

    Associate Deputy Minister,

    BC Government

  • Your efforts in guiding the robust planning process that has resulted in UCC’s Strategic Directions were quite simply extraordinary; your partnership was integral to any success achieved. Thank you. I hope you are as proud of the final product as we are.

    Sam McKinney, Head of School,

    Upper Canada College

  • Overall, I would highly recommend Berlineaton for anyone seeking superior results in the field of facilitated, team-based process improvement that blend a focus on more task focused business results with the team, and overall people, engagement required to promote higher levels of ownership and execution success.

    Executive Director,

    BC Government

  • Berlineaton helped me work through staffing changes and a significant workload immediately following the COVID-19 outbreak. Our coaching sessions were very much appreciated, and I was able to re-focus on the strategic goals of our organization, while still leading my team and day-to-day operations. Being able to improve my leadership competencies and navigate the last few months was invaluable to say the least.

    Executive Director,

    Not-for-Profit Organization in British Columbia

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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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    Tobias Mehra

    BA, MSc, MIB, CMC
    Problem Solver, Ear-Lender, Globetrotter.

    Tobias is an Engagement Lead. He joined the firm in early 2019. He draws on his various academic and professional experiences in business strategy, market research and corporate sustainability to provide simple and elegant data-driven solutions. 

    Tobias discovered his passion for working with people from a diverse set of backgrounds and enjoys helping organizations confront complex challenges with simple data-powered solutions. 

    Originally hailing from Austria, he moved to Victoria in 2018. Tobias loves exploring the outdoors and loves Vancouver Island as much as he loves Austria. His newest love, though, is his daughter, born at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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    Cathryn Chase

    BA, MMgmt, CMC
    Interpreter, Pathfinder, Wordsmith.

    Cathryn is a Senior Consultant with Berlineaton. She approaches all her work with curiosity, dedication and an analytical eye.

    As a Senior Consultant, Cathryn leads and supports projects across all of Berlineaton’s practice areas with a particular focus on public sector work. She is skilled at deriving insights from data, and helping clients translate complex information into usable and effective solutions. She loves applying her skills, experience, and penchant for problem solving to help empower her clients and create sustainable business solutions.

    Cathryn holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from UBC, as well as a Master’s of Management from UBC’s Sauder School of Business. She also has a Lean Six-Sigma Yellow Belt, and is working towards becoming a Certified Management Consultant.

    Outside the office, you can find her spending time with her partner, Sander and retired sled dog, Clyde, swimming with the Victoria Masters Swim Club, and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.