Case Studies

Strategy in Action

Our case studies offer a behind-the-scenes look at how we partner with organizations to navigate complexity, drive alignment, and lead change. From executive leadership development to equity-centered convenings and ecosystem-wide transformation, each story illustrates our method, mindset, and measurable impact.

These engagements span sectors and challenges, but they all share one thing in common: a commitment to helping leaders move with clarity and composure through pivotal moments.

Aligning Culture in a Rapidly Scaling Media-Tech Division

Cultural insight and strategic clarity in a fast-growth streaming team

As a flagship media-tech division grew at breakneck speed, leaders faced mounting cultural tensions—burnout, blurred roles, and uneven expectations. Symphonic Strategies conducted a division-wide assessment, revealing critical behavioral patterns and providing actionable insights to help leadership align values, improve communication, and support sustainable high performance.

Building a Pipeline for Executive-Level Government Leadership

Preparing senior leaders for cabinet-level roles through immersive development

In partnership with the D.C. government, Symphonic Strategies co-designed a nine-month executive program to equip senior public servants with the vision, skills, and presence needed to lead city-wide systems. With executive coaching, applied learning, and cross-agency collaboration, the program built a scalable model for long-term leadership succession.

Charting a Strategic Future for a Global Conservation Leader

Inclusive strategy design for a decentralized, mission-driven network

A globally recognized nonprofit in the conservation sector partnered with Symphonic Strategies to create a bold new strategic plan. Amid cultural challenges and climate urgency, we facilitated a multi-phase process that rebuilt trust, clarified priorities, and aligned leadership across a complex, distributed organization.

Confronting Racial Disparities in Social Services

Designing a summit to transform equity in public systems

In the wake of rising calls for racial justice, New York City’s Department of Social Services partnered with Symphonic Strategies to convene a two-day summit that brought together community advocates, agency staff, and policymakers. The engagement created space for historical reckoning, surfaced systemic truths, and produced a roadmap to embed racial equity into one of the nation’s largest human services agencies.

Convening an Industry Around the Future of Digital Commerce

Designing strategic forums that spark alignment and innovation

A global association representing leaders in digital payments and loyalty systems partnered with Symphonic Strategies to elevate its industry convenings. We transformed standard events into high-impact forums that aligned stakeholders, shaped thought leadership, and sparked collaboration across card-linking, retail, and publishing ecosystems.

Elevating Collective Impact in the Free Tax Preparation Field

Designing a national summit to shape the future of equitable service

To respond to seismic shifts in volunteerism, policy, and digital access, a leading economic security nonprofit partnered with Symphonic Strategies to convene a national field-wide summit. Through human-centered facilitation and systems-level framing, we helped unify fragmented providers, generate shared insights, and inform the organization’s multi-year innovation strategy.

Leading Through Change in a Retail Enterprise

Leading Through Change in a Retail Enterprise

Amid structural and strategic shifts, a national automotive retailer partnered with Symphonic Strategies to strengthen its executive leadership bench. Through a customized two-day session grounded in the Symphonic Mindset, cognitive mapping, and the SCARF model, senior leaders gained tools to lead through uncertainty with clarity, empathy, and influence.

Scaling for National Impact in Youth Mentoring

Designing a five-year strategy to unify, modernize, and inspire

Facing pressure to evolve, a national youth mentoring nonprofit partnered with Symphonic Strategies to design a strategic plan that would align nearly 300 affiliates, embrace innovation, and deepen equity. Through an inclusive, systems-based approach, we helped the organization chart a clear, bold course to grow its reach, strengthen its infrastructure, and reenergize its mission.

Strengthening Nonprofit Board Governance for Sustainable Growth

Empowering board members with clarity, structure, and strategic oversight

A Baltimore-based youth nonprofit redefined board roles and responsibilities through targeted governance training, improving clarity, accountability, and long-term strategic focus.

Strengthening Supervisory Leadership in a Public Human Services Agency

360-degree feedback and targeted training to improve team performance

A state agency supporting people with disabilities partnered with Symphonic Strategies to transform the leadership practices of over 50 frontline supervisors. Through in-depth assessments and competency-based workshops, the initiative elevated communication, coaching, and accountability—strengthening team dynamics and service delivery across the organization.

Understanding the Health Care Landscape for Underserved Communities

Using ecosystem analysis to drive post-reform strategy and innovation

In response to major federal policy shifts, a regional trade association engaged Symphonic Strategies to help its members—especially those serving low-income communities—reimagine their role in a changing health care landscape. Through systems mapping, stakeholder interviews, and strategic facilitation, the engagement equipped leaders with new insights, a shared vision, and a theory of change to guide future collaboration.