Stakeholder Change Management
Schools rely on the coordinated effort of leadership, boards, alumni, parents, and supporters. Wycane applies structured change management principles tailored specifically to school environments, recognising the different motivations, responsibilities, and influences at play.
We work closely with:
School senior leadership, led by the Head
Alumni associations
Trust Boards and Foundations
School Boards (including integrated schools)
Parent and supporter associations
By involving stakeholders early and clearly defining roles, contribution, and purpose, we help schools build shared ownership and sustained momentum for advancement initiatives.
Case Study
Stakeholder Change Management
Client Overview
A leading boarding school in New Zealand sought to reinvigorate its advancement programme to better support enrolment growth, community engagement, and future fundraising activity.
Challenge
The school’s key stakeholder groups - including the Foundation, Alumni Association, School Board, and senior leadership team - were not aligned on the purpose, direction, or priorities of the advancement programme.
Before any detailed action planning could begin, the school needed to:
Establish agreement on short-term and long-term objectives.
Clarify the respective roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder group.
Build confidence and trust across groups that had historically worked in parallel rather than together.
Without alignment, there was a real risk that effort would be duplicated, momentum lost, and future fundraising initiatives undermined.
Our Approach
Wycane worked closely with each stakeholder group, both collectively and individually, applying structured stakeholder change management principles. Our approach included:
Facilitated discussions to align on the school’s immediate and longer-term advancement objectives.
Clarifying governance, decision-making, and responsibilities across the Foundation, Alumni Association, Board, and leadership team.
Developing a coordinated set of actions to address the school’s immediate priorities of:
Increasing school roll, and
Building an engaged and active community in preparation for a future major fundraising campaign.
Designing practical initiatives focused on strengthening community engagement, including:
Re-engaging the school’s traditional heartland communities.
Identifying, developing, and supporting advocates for the school.
Locating and reconnecting with lost alumni.
Updating contact data and improving communication foundations.
Establishing a structured donor stewardship programme.
The focus was on creating shared understanding and coordinated action rather than producing standalone plans.
Outcome
Wycane supported the school to develop a clear, coordinated advancement plan that was understood and supported across all stakeholder groups.
Impact
The school achieved strong alignment between leadership, governance bodies, and community organisations. With clarity of purpose and responsibility restored, the school was well positioned to drive enrolment growth, rebuild community engagement, and move confidently toward a future major fundraising campaign.
Are your advancement stakeholders aligned on purpose, priorities, and roles?
We help schools bring leadership, governance, and community groups together around a shared direction and practical next steps.
