Schunk Moreland Strategies

08/12/2026

We had the privilege of speaking to members of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) at VenueConnect 2026 as strategic planning experts.

IAVM’s 8,100+ active members include managers and senior executives from public assembly venues, including auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, amphitheaters, and fairgrounds.

Monica Hingst, SMS Senior Consultant, spoke about one of our favorite topics: Rethinking Strategic Planning in a Rapidly Evolving World. Participants discussed why strategic planning matters, common pitfalls, and ways to avoid them.

At SMS, we believe strategic planning should be more than a document that collects dust on a shelf. When done well, it gives organizations a clear direction, helps leaders make better decisions in evolving environments, and creates a framework for adapting when needed. This is especially important for public assembly venues, where the internal and external environment continues to evolve quickly.

Thank you, Benton, for the invitation, and to everyone who joined the conversation. We appreciated the candor, thoughtful questions, and discussion.

07/29/2026

Today we said goodbye to an incredible summer intern, Chloe Moss.

From day one, Chloe jumped in with curiosity, professionalism, and a willingness to tackle whatever came her way. Whether she was supporting client work, conducting research, preparing materials, or helping keep our office running smoothly, she made a meaningful impact on our team and our work.

At Schunk Moreland Strategies, we believe great consulting is built by great people, and Chloe embodied that every day. She asked thoughtful questions, embraced new challenges, and brought a positive attitude that made our office a better place to work.

Thank you, Chloe, for everything you contributed this summer. We are grateful for the time you spent with us and can't wait to see where your journey takes you next. We have no doubt you'll do amazing things.

Wishing you all the best in the year ahead!

07/15/2026

We’re proud to support organizations that make a meaningful difference in the communities we serve. Thank you to Hancock Hope House for recognizing Schunk Moreland Strategies as a sponsor of your 2nd Annual Pickleball Tournament.
Hancock Hope House

Supporting events like this is one small way we can help strengthen the organizations that are changing lives every day. We’re grateful for the work Hancock Hope House does to provide hope, stability, and support to individuals and families in our community.

Congratulations on another successful tournament and we’re honored to be part of it! 💙

Thank you Schunk Moreland Strategies for sponsoring our 2nd annual pickleball tournament!

07/01/2026

06/30/2026

A strategic plan without a clear direction is just a list of priorities.

One of the most common challenges we see is organizations spending significant time developing a strategic plan but never defining the destination they're working toward.

That's where a true North Star comes in.

I'm proud to share this insightful article from our own Monica Hingst, Senior Consultant at Schunk Moreland Strategies. She explains why a compelling vision is more than a statement on a website—it's the decision-making framework that aligns boards, leadership, staff, and stakeholders around a shared future.

If your organization is preparing for strategic planning or wondering why implementation feels difficult, this is worth the read.

Congratulations, Monica, on another thoughtful contribution to the nonprofit community!
Read the article here: https://charitableadvisors.com/why-your-organization-needs-a-north-star/

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

06/17/2026

Every facilitation should start with one question: What outcome are we trying to achieve?

Recently, we had the opportunity to partner with United Way of Central Indiana for a design thinking session focused on driving toward a specific outcome.

Too often, organizations jump straight to solutions. Design thinking creates the space to pause, listen, explore different perspectives, and uncover the root of the challenge before moving into action.

Through structured facilitation, participants were able to share diverse viewpoints, build on one another’s ideas, and co-create possibilities that will help inform future decisions.

The best facilitation isn’t about leading a conversation, it’s about creating an environment where the right conversations can happen and where participants leave with greater clarity.

Thank you to United Way of Central Indiana for the opportunity to help guide this work.
Evelyn Rivas
Kristen Schunk Moreland
United Way of Central Indiana

06/11/2026

This week, Schunk Moreland Strategies had the opportunity to facilitate a Simplex Creative Problem Solving® training alongside Jennifer Creager Fisher and Kara Monroe with participants representing a variety of organizations, industries, and perspectives.

One of the things we love most about this process is that participants don't just learn a framework—they apply it to real challenges they are facing right now.

Some of the feedback from the session:

💡 "The highest value is we walk away with real-world solutions to our work-related problems."

💡 "It has me thinking differently already!"

💡 "I have a high bar for professional development and this is my favorite one I have attended."

💡 "I tend to shy away from complex problems, but this provided me with a framework to feel that I can solve hard problems."

💡 "I like the safe space the process allows to get to the best solution, not just the easiest solution."

Creative problem solving is not about finding quick answers. It's about creating the space, structure, and discipline to solve the right problems, generate better ideas, and build actionable solutions.

Thank you to all of the participants for your engagement, curiosity, and willingness to challenge your thinking. We can't wait to see how you apply these tools in your organizations.

05/15/2026

At Schunk Moreland Strategies, one of the greatest compliments we can receive is the opportunity to partner with a client again.

We are honored to be working on our second strategic plan with Horizons at St. Richard's Episcopal School.

Repeat engagements strongly indicate that the strategic planning process delivered real value the first time and that the organization trusts us to help guide its next chapter.

Horizons is doing transformative work to advance educational equity and expand opportunities for students and families in our community. We are grateful for the chance to continue supporting their mission and helping shape a clear, actionable roadmap for the future.

Thank you to the Horizons team for your continued confidence in our work.


Horizons at St. Richard's
Kristen Schunk Moreland
Mariann McGee Bernlohr

05/10/2026

We are proud to sponsor Victory College Prep and support their Annual Scholarship Celebration.

As a longtime client and partner, we have had the privilege of seeing firsthand the incredible impact Victory College Prep has on students and families across Indianapolis. Their commitment to preparing scholars for success in college and in life is both inspiring and transformational.

Congratulations to this year’s graduates. Your hard work, perseverance, and ambition are opening doors to extraordinary opportunities!

04/30/2026

Please join me in welcoming Evelyn Rivas to our team at SMS. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to her contributions to our clients.