Strategy and Leadership for a Time of Change

Julie Faulstich, Principal

A former head of school with over 25 years experience, Julie has led successful and innovative change efforts in every area of school life and managed a wide range of multilayered communications challenges. She founded Stony Creek Strategy in 2022 to champion the concept of applied leadership - when communications and management meet, impact follows. Mission-driven leaders from the board of trustees on down need practical strategy, talented teams and implementation skills to navigate complex times.

Julie’s previous roles include English Department Chair, Academic Dean and Assistant Head at Walnut Hill School for the Arts, Natick MA and Head at the Westover School, Middlebury, CT. She writes and speaks on topics related to applied leadership, organizational change and innovative governance and has been featured at NAIS, TABS and other national conferences. She holds a BA from Smith College and an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College.

Her Talking Out of School Substack newsletter provides advice and perspective on applied leadership to thousands of readers each week.

“Julie thoughtfully guides participants along a journey of empowerment, challenging us to self-identify educational leadership strengths as well as identify and celebrate those strengths in others. Julie knows leadership; she is an effective communicator and an engaging facilitator.”

  • Eric Walters, Director of STEM Education, Marymount, NYC

Why Stony Creek Strategy?

  • We understand that direct and clear communication, putting interpersonal connection at the forefront with empathy that change is hard on a community are the keys to forward movement.

  • Cultures are unique and the quirks and contradictions of human nature must be a central consideration for any change effort, management technique or communication to succeed.

  • We’re prepared to get down to work and focus on how we can help you with your specific circumstance today, as well as plan for next steps further down the road. We also bring perspective and even a bit of humor, even when the topics are heavy.

  • We believe strong and effective leadership is accomplished through actively building skills . We support people leaning into their strengths and getting a bit more comfortable managing the conflicts and disagreements that come with organizational life.

Who We Are

Our team is experienced in both diagnosing problems and designing practical solutions, creating communications that connect and change that moves the needle.

Lauren Castagnola
Lauren has nearly twenty years of experience in higher education and at independent schools. She began her career as a fundraiser, utilizing her marketing skills to increase annual giving and alumni engagement. Most recently, she has focused on strategic communications, utilizing strategy and branding best practices to increase admissions inquiries and elevate school brands. Lauren has a passion for helping leaders find their voice to communicate effectively with various constituencies in good times and in difficult circumstances. 

Lauren has spoken at various conferences, including NAIS, TABS, SBSA, ICGS, and Cheney and Company’s Aim High Conference for School Communicators. She sits on the Advisory Board of the M&T Bank Center for Women in Business at her alma mater, Quinnipiac University. 

Strategic Partners




Caravan Brand Partners helps mission-driven organizations build clear, compelling brands. They believe that each client has a vital asset—a core group of stakeholders intensely passionate about their mission. Their work focuses and amplifies that passion to engage broader groups of supporters and advance strategic goals. 




Jane Moulding, SmarterWisdom Consulting
Jane Moulding partners with leaders, especially emerging leaders, to help them tap into their own wisdom, and the combined wisdom of their teams. A big believer in the power of smart leadership, Jane has experienced firsthand the power of accessing her own wisdom by collaborating with colleagues, other leaders and talented consultants. She brings her vast accomplishments in school administration to SmarterWisdom Consulting.