Leadership Case Study: Guiding Organizational Acquisition, Merger, and Long-Term Change
Context
We guided an organization through the acquisition of a school that was closing and the integration of its community into an existing school network. The process unfolded within a highly regulated environment and required formal approval from external decision-makers who were initially skeptical of the proposed path forward.
The work carried significant implications for students, families, and staff from both communities. In addition to the emotional and relational weight of a school closure, the acquisition involved complex operational, governance, and financial considerations that extended over multiple years.
The Challenge
Leadership faced the responsibility of absorbing a closing school community with care while maintaining stability within the acquiring organization. Families and staff from the closing school experienced grief, fear, and uncertainty, while the receiving community navigated questions of capacity, culture, and identity.
At the same time, leaders were responsible for securing formal approvals, stewarding organizational assets, and ensuring continuity of learning. The work also included overseeing a significant facilities transition, adding layers of complexity and risk during an already sensitive period.
The challenge was not simply operational. It required disciplined change management, transparent communication, and sustained leadership presence over time.
Our Work
We partnered closely with senior leadership, boards, and leadership teams to design and implement a multi-year strategy that balanced compassion, clarity, and disciplined execution.
This work included:
Supporting leaders in navigating the acquisition of a closing school with care and respect for community impact
Guiding a structured integration process that brought together two school communities under a shared vision and operational framework
Supporting leadership in navigating formal approval processes through disciplined preparation and strategic engagement
Facilitating leadership team alignment and shared decision-making throughout an extended transition period
Guiding sustained change management efforts to support staff, families, and students over multiple years
Advising on communications strategy to maintain trust and stability during prolonged uncertainty
Supporting oversight of a complex facilities acquisition and transition to ensure alignment with long-term organizational needs
The work emphasized patience, sequencing, and steadiness, recognizing that meaningful organizational integration unfolds over time.
The Outcome
The acquisition and integration were carried out with continuity of learning and sustained community engagement. Over time, the combined community stabilized and developed a shared identity grounded in clarity, trust, and long-term viability.
Leadership strengthened its capacity to manage complex organizational change, navigate formal approval structures, and steward acquisitions with integrity and care. The organization emerged with stronger internal alignment, increased stability, and a durable foundation for the future.