Case Study: Basal Therapies & Preschool

From Talented Individuals to a Unified Team

The Challenge: High Talent, Low Alignment

Two years ago, Basal Therapies was a successful organization filled with incredibly talented individuals. However, Founder Kathryn Ferro noticed a growing gap between the team’s clinical excellence and their internal synergy.

“I think it was a combination of pain and potential that caused us to bring Lead ‘Em Up in,” says Ferro. “Our staff was excellent at what we do, but I don’t think we were fully aligned, operating as a team, and all moving in the same direction.”

Even with high-performing individuals, the organization lacked the cohesive “connective tissue” needed to sustain long-term growth and employee satisfaction.

The Strategy: A Multi-Tiered Professional Development Roadmap

Basal Therapies did not just host a one-off workshop. They committed to a deep, two-year investment in their people.

The Lead ‘Em Up partnership was integrated across every level of the company:

Quarterly Team Trainings: The entire staff gathers every three months for high-energy sessions focused on unity and shared vision.
Leadership Development: The executive team undergoes quarterly professional development, while emerging leaders participate in specialized tracks to build the next generation of Basal leadership.
1-on-1 Coaching: Individual leaders work directly with Lead ‘Em Up to refine their communication and management styles.

The Culture Playbook: Basal created an internal “Culture Playbook” to ensure that the Lead ‘Em Up philosophy is the very first thing every new hire experiences on Day One.
Internal Oversight: To ensure the momentum never fades, Basal appointed Aubrey Mohler as the internal Culture Coordinator to drive initiatives daily.

“The environment feels so unified with a shared commitment to building people up and operating more cohesively.”

Angie Keeney | Director of Operations and Preschool Director

The Results: A 38-Point Culture Explosion

The quantitative data from 2024 to 2026 tells a story of a total organizational transformation.

Skyrocketing Net Culture Scores

In early 2024, Basal’s net Culture Score (grading leadership, culture, and connectedness) sat at 53%. By 2026, after two years of Lead ‘Em Up integration, that score surged to 91%. This represents a massive 38-point increase.

Employee Advocacy and Pride

When veteran staff members were asked if they were proud to work at Basal and would recommend it as an employer, the response was an astounding 97% positive score.

The “Day One” Difference

Culture at Basal is no longer an abstract concept. It is a felt experience. 100% of the team unanimously agreed that new hires can feel a tangible “difference” in the culture the moment they join.

Basal Therapies 2 Year Culture Score Increase

The Impact: Mindful Accountability

Beyond the numbers, the daily operations at Basal have shifted. Team members are now more mindful of how their individual actions, attitudes, and communication styles impact those around them.

“Our team is more mindful of how their actions, attitudes, and communication impact those around them, creating a stronger sense of accountability and consistency. It is fantastic to be part of,” Keeney adds.

When asked to describe the current workplace, the staff shared six words that define the new Basal Therapies: Family, Supportive, Passionate, Empowering, Positive, and “Vibing.”

The Lead ‘Em Up Takeaway

As Basal Therapies celebrates six years in business, they serve as a powerful reminder: Culture matters. By moving from “talented individuals” to a “unified team,” they did not just improve their workplace. They future-proofed their organization. At Basal, the potential has finally overtaken the pain.