As Ross Montessori School in Carbondale, Colorado, was approaching its tenth anniversary in 2014, the leadership knew it was time to think about the next phase of the institution’s work. How to adapt to a changing world? What trends would shape the surrounding community? How to cultivate strong leaders to move the school forward?

Since 1978, when Dr. Bill and Susan Morehouse opened His Branches on Arnett Blvd. in Rochester, N.Y., the small primary care medical practice had been evolving. The organization achieved status as 501(s)3, not-for-profit ministry, it opened an additional clinic, and in 2015 hired Janet Thirlby as a strategic planning consultant to help prepare for the next 40 years of service to the community.