By Sadie Hess, Founder & CEO
The Beginning
Sixteen years ago, Eric and I realized we needed to be even more intentional about the future of Compass and the impact we wanted to have on the world around us. We always asked ourselves, “Are we working on having the very best systems, the very best staff, and the happiest clients?” We knew we needed to review and refine these things every year so we could continue living out our value of Excellence. That commitment began our journey of strategic planning cycles.
Growing into a Vision
Over the years, it has evolved into a beautiful, synergistic time of dreaming and planning with our amazing team. Once a year, we gather for Executive Strategic Planning—chasing goals together, dreaming together, and refining our vision based on the year behind us while preparing for the year ahead. It reminds all of us how important it is to set long-term goals, but also to reflect annually to ensure those goals align with the bigger picture.
The Power of the Team
What’s been most beautiful is the way this group has come together and collaborated so well over the years. Some have been here since the very beginning—15 years ago! I’m continually moved by the commitment our people have made to walk alongside us in this work. Others joined later, but their heart for the Compass vision is just as passionate. I’m so thankful for a team that leads with us—and whose vision has become deeply aligned with ours. They truly carry the heart of our mission.
The Joy of Being Together
One of the things I enjoy most about strategic planning is simply being together. It’s the community, the trust, and the generosity we share—not only as Compass, but as families. This year we shared heart-to-heart porch talks, a day on the lake, s’mores and games, walks down Carrville Lane, breakfast chats, kids playing, and dinners made together. My kids have been part of these gatherings since they were babies. Watching them grow up, and seeing the life and joy that unfolds for all of us during these moments, reminds me how bright our future truly is.
Setting Our Course for 2026
Looking toward 2026, we identified the core things we want to accomplish as an organization in the coming year.
Investing in the Future
We focused on where we want to invest next: in QSP, in optimizing with AI, and in becoming more efficient across the board. Paperwork is part of the job, but it’s rarely the part that gives people life. Anywhere we can reduce the time spent on paperwork—so our staff can be more present with clients and the community—is worth pursuing. Though our goals were ambitious, we were unified in prioritizing further investment in QSP. What emerged was an exciting and bold vision for the year ahead.
Our Collective 2026 Vision
By 2026, Compass will be well on its way to becoming a national leader in integrated, person-centered services—uniting compliance, innovation, and people development to expand our impact and reach. Aligned around a shared vision, we’ll use standardized training, scalable models, and tools like our QA module, client portal, and AI platforms to drive quality and transparency. We’ll expand into new regions, strengthen recruitment, and build leadership pipelines to support long-term success. As we celebrate our 30th anniversary, we’ll be firmly on the path to transforming one million lives by 2031.