When Progressive Pipeline — a trailblazing organization dedicated to placing underrepresented candidates in paid roles at social change groups — set out to define their future, they partnered with Rowan Strategies to build a clear, actionable Strategic Plan for 2024 and the years ahead.

The goals were ambitious: sharpen their mission and vision, clarify values, improve storytelling, and create a stronger strategy for stakeholder engagement and community-building. Over the course of 9 months, we led them through a thoughtful, collaborative process:

•  Discovery & Immersion Phase

•  Staff Planning Session

• Stakeholder Survey & Retreat

•  Wrap-Up & Strategic Recommendations

We synthesized everything into a comprehensive final plan, including a Vision & Mission Statement, Core Values, a detailed Theory of Change, Strategic Goal Prioritization, and clear next steps for outreach and impact.

The result is a focused, forward-looking strategy that will guide Progressive Pipeline’s growth and deepen their impact in the social change ecosystem.

"Working with Rowan Strategies was a game-changer. As a small, early-stage nonprofit, we knew we needed a strategic plan—but we didn’t know where to start. Jen and Alexia built an equity-centered process from the ground up, thoughtfully engaging our fellows, alumni, staff, board, and key stakeholders.

 We left with actionable steps and a stronger sense of cohesion across work that previously felt fragmented and siloed. Our partnership helped shift us away from constant urgency and reactivity, and towards grounding our day-to-day decisions in our core values and long-term goals. We can't recommend them highly enough."

- Michael Michaelson, Executive Director of Progressive Pipeline