Executive Summary
From 2008 to 2026, Canopy partnered with Stina Brown, to advance its mission of protecting 30–50% of the world’s Ancient and Endangered Forests by 2030. Initially through graphic design and communications, and years later in strategic planning retreats, virtual facilitation, and team-building sessions, Stina continues to help Canopy align its vision, foster collaboration, and strengthen its unique culture for growth. The result: clearer roadmaps, enhanced leadership capacity, and more cohesive, energized teams ready to tackle the planet’s most pressing challenges. “In April of 2023 Canopy received a $60 million investment over six years through The Audacious Project to transform the world’s paper, packaging and viscose supply chains and ensure a livable planet for all of us.” (CanopyPlanet.org)
Context and Challenge
Canopy is a nonprofit dedicated to saving the planet through innovative strategies that protect forests, biodiversity, and freshwater systems. With a bold 2030 vision, the organization required alignment among its Board, leadership, and staff to prioritize goals and ensure sustainable progress. Canopy’s culture, which thrives on creativity, humor, and collective agency, needed to be reinforced as the organization navigated rapid growth, strategic planning, and the transition to virtual collaboration during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now continued rapid growth into 2026.
Stina’s Approach
- Strategic Visioning and Planning:
- Facilitated multi-day in person retreats to align Canopy’s leadership and staff on key priorities for their 5-year strategic plan (2019–2025) and 2030 vision.
- Guided conversations to articulate the organization’s desired “future reality” and key next steps.
- Team Building and Collaboration:
- Ongoing support for the Culture and Engagement Team
- Designed immersive team-building activities to foster stronger relationships between staff and the Board, particularly during the in-person Tofino retreat in 2019.
- Used tools like “walk and talks” to deepen one-on-one connections and encourage creative thinking.
- Courageous Conversations:
- Hosted sessions to explore critical cultural and organizational growth areas.
- Provided space for open dialogue, promoting transparency and shared ownership of Canopy’s mission.
- Adapting to Virtual Facilitation:
- Seamlessly transitioned to virtual platforms during the pandemic, maintaining engagement and productivity in online retreats.
- Used live graphic recording and interactive tools to visually capture ideas and strengthen interconnectedness.
The Results
- Strategic Alignment: Developed a clear 5-year strategic plan and reaffirmed the 2030 vision, providing Canopy with a cohesive roadmap to drive progress.
- Enhanced Collaboration: Strengthened relationships among staff, Board members, and leadership, fostering deeper trust and teamwork.
- Cultural Reinforcement: Celebrated Canopy’s “Monkey Magic” culture of creativity, humor, and radical candor, ensuring all team members felt valued and empowered.
- Virtual Success: Maintained momentum during the pandemic with impactful virtual facilitation, proving that connection and productivity could thrive online.
client comments
Fawzia Ahmad
Head of Culture and Engagement, Canopy
“Working with a professional facilitator has been an invaluable investment for Canopy! Stina got to know our culture and mission deeply and guided us through strategic planning with grace and expertise. She didn’t miss a beat, even as we pivoted to virtual platforms. Her work continues to shape our success.”
Retreat Participant
Canopy
“Stina’s facilitation is always excellent. She brings clarity, perspective, and structure to our work while also creating space for creativity and humor. The walk-and-talks, brainstorming sessions, and live illustrations during retreats have been invaluable. Working with her is a true joy.”
Key Takeaway
Canopy’s collaboration with Stina showcases the power of thoughtful facilitation, a coach approach, and strategic planning. By aligning vision, strengthening relationships, and celebrating their unique culture, Canopy has fortified its capacity to achieve its bold 2030 goals. Together, they’ve proven that a creative, collaborative approach is essential for addressing global challenges like protecting the world’s forests, biodiversity, and freshwater systems.