The Strategic Planner's Toolkit
Overcoming the 5 Core Planning Challenges
Description: Join us for an interactive 90-minute workshop to build the confidence and practical tools needed to contribute to a successful strategic-planning process.
We’ll start with an overview of how strategic planning typically works, defining the process, activities, and outputs. Then, we’ll dive into five common planning challenges and the tools and techniques that can help organizations navigate them. Along the way, the LIL team will share real stories and lessons learned from previous cohort members facing similar challenges.
This session is valuable for both first-time participants and experienced planners seeking fresh ways to make their next strategic-planning effort more focused, inclusive, and effective.
Please come ready to learn and share with your peers in a facilitated, large group discussion format.
Presenter: Eric Matson,
Strategic Advisor
Eric Matson spent over 26 years at the consulting firm McKinsey & Company, most recently as the director of capabilities for the Strategy & Corporate Finance practice. This involved creating new insights and client offerings on topics such as strategic planning, board effectiveness, and performance management. In March 2026 he became an independent advisor focused on helping nonprofits with strategy, communications, and process improvement. He has an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School, is the Board Treasurer at Brookline.News, and lives in Brookline, MA.
Co-Presenter: Potencia Baraka,
Sustainable Business Associate
Potencia M. Baraka joined LIL in 2024. She works closely with grant partners providing project support, financial planning and business strategy consulting services to strengthen their operations. Her work is driven by a passion for environmental justice and a commitment to supporting non profit organizations efforts to thrive in their mission and achieve meaningful impact in their communities. Potencia earned an MBA in Sustainable Innovation from the University of Vermont, and has experience working in the financial management, strategic advising, and non profit sectors. Aside from her job, she loves cooking, volunteering, attending concerts, and reading non-fiction books.