special advisory and development

As part of Building Solutions, Katie Updike has worked with financial institutions, operating corporations, banks, non-profits, and municipalities in order to design strategies which address specific goals of the Board and/or Executive Management. The development of a strategy – including key implementation steps – is key to realizing any project whether it involves “bricks and mortar” or the roll-out of a new product or concept. Most strategic planning is a process of discernment between the organization, its key constituents (shareholders, funders, clients, etc.) and the neighborhoods and markets in which the entity practices.

The Building Solutions team always encourages clients to go well beyond the typical SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) approach to strategic planning and to look for those services, ideas, and approaches which help the organization ‘break out of the mold’. Strategic “leaps” that have been significantly bolstered by assistance from Building Solutions are:

  • Public banking feasibility study and proforma implementation plan http://www.santafenm.gov/document_center/document/4520
  • Roll-out of a risk management service and system to clients by an international financial institution using cutting edge research, firewalls, and advisory services.
  • Development of a landscaping service which used the finest industry training with homeless services from a large social service agency. The business is still running profitably (for both entities) and has spawned hospital maintenance and food service companies all of which contribute significantly to the sustainability of the services to homeless (not to mention the service to the formerly homeless themselves).
  • Development of an internal monitoring and valuation system for a privately held corporation in order to assist family members contribute more productively to firm decision-making.
  • Ms. Updike managed the Strategic Planning Division for the wholesale commercial activities of a major money center bank, helping anchor strategic goals to budgets and integrating the plan across borders and product lines.

Representative Clients

  • City of Santa Fe
  • Central City Housing Ventures and Chicago Christian Industrial League
  • Roaring Fork Regional Housing Corporation
  • Housing Program for YWCA
  • Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (Transit Oriented Development) Chicago IL
  • Various Employer Assisted Housing programs through American Planning Association (APA)
  • Gary, Indiana – Revitalization Plan and Charette
  • Tec de Monterrey – new campus and school
  • Various ULI Panels and Consultation
    • Maui, HI
    • Jackson Hole, WY
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • New Orleans, LA
  • Rio Grande Cancer Foundation – Non-profit Building (not executed)