Aligned Strategy Co.

Guiding what’s next, grounded in what matters.

Strategic support for Children’s Advocacy Centers, CASA programs, and other mission-driven organizations navigating change, growth, and what comes next.

Sometimes you need a thought partner. Sometimes you need someone who can help carry the work. Often, you need both.A leadership transition is coming. A strategic plan needs to be developed. Accreditation is looming. Or there is simply too much important work and not enough capacity to do it well.That’s where I come in.I work alongside leaders to help figure out what matters most, make a plan, and get the work done.

Who I Work With

I spent 15 years working in a Children’s Advocacy Center, beginning in direct services and program leadership, then spending the last eight years as Executive Director. I loved this work then, and I still do. I care deeply about the people and organizations doing hard, important work for children and families, and I know how much goes into making that work possible behind the scenes.I know what it’s like to lead an organization where there are always more good ideas, more needs, and more important things to do than there are hours in the day.I also know what it’s like to wish you had someone to call who already understood the work. Someone you could say, “Here’s what’s happening,” and not have to spend the next three months getting them up to speed before they could actually help.That’s why I started Aligned Strategy Co.Today, I work primarily with Children’s Advocacy Centers, CASA programs, state Chapters and networks, and other mission-driven organizations. I bring both the perspective of someone who has done this work, and the capacity to step in and help move it forward.Because sometimes you don’t need another recommendation.You need someone who can help you figure out what comes next and help make it happen.

What I Offer

Strategic PlanningStrategic planning should be more than a document you revisit once a year.I help organizations hear from the people who know their work, identify what matters most, and make thoughtful decisions about where to focus next. Then we turn that into a practical plan that can actually guide your work, budget, and decision-making.Leadership Transitions & Organizational SupportLeadership changes can create a lot of moving pieces, whether a longtime Executive Director is preparing to leave, a new leader is stepping in, or an organization needs additional support during the transition.I help organizations navigate the transition from beginning to end. That might include succession planning, interim or fractional leadership support, developing job descriptions and recruitment materials, supporting candidate screening and interviews, participating on hiring panels, helping boards think through what they need in their next leader, or supporting a new Executive Director as they step into the role.Every transition looks a little different. I can help you figure out what support makes sense, take on pieces of the work, and make sure important things keep moving while your organization figures out what comes next.Accreditation PreparationPreparing for NCA accreditation or reaccreditation can become a big project quickly, especially when you’re also trying to run a CAC.I help CACs do the actual work to prepare, from reviewing and updating policies and MDT protocols to looking at data and documentation, addressing gaps, and keeping the preparation and application process moving.Have Something Else in Mind?Not every need fits neatly into a service category.Sometimes you need an experienced person who can step in for a specific project or period of time. That might mean fractional grant support, project management, new Executive Director onboarding, help getting a new initiative off the ground, or simply extra capacity during a particularly busy season.If you have something important that needs attention and you're not sure where it fits, let's chat.

How It Works

It starts with a conversation. We’ll talk about what’s happening in your organization, what you’re trying to accomplish, and where some additional support might be helpful.From there, I’ll recommend an approach that makes sense for the work. That might be a defined project, ongoing fractional support, or something in between.Most projects start around $4,000.Ongoing support is also available for organizations that need additional capacity over a longer period of time.

Let's Chat

You don’t have to know exactly what kind of support you need before reaching out. Tell me what’s going on, and we can figure out whether I might be able to help.

Get in touch

Hi, I'm Sarah, founder of Aligned Strategy Co.
With over 15 years of experience working with Children’s Advocacy Centers and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration, I bring deep sector knowledge to everything I do.
I’m also a mom, a coffee enthusiast, and a traveler at heart.
I can’t wait to connect.