By: Kelly Guzman

“Today, I am proud to share that Yellow Brick has joined CannonDesign. It is a major milestone in our journey, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect on what led to this point and why I am excited for what’s ahead.” – Kelly Guzman, Founder of Yellow Brick Consulting, Inc.

Embracing Growth: My Why

In 2018, our inaugural blog post “Welcome to Yellow Brick” outlined a vision for Yellow Brick: to become a leading healthcare consulting firm dedicated to forming collaborative partnerships and supporting our clients’ pursuit of excellence. At that time, our team consisted of seven committed professionals, who diligently worked to establish a solid foundation for what has since become a prominent presence within the healthcare consulting industry.

Over the past seven years, our company has experienced substantial growth, expanding our expertise with clinical specialists and nurturing emerging leaders in healthcare. Since inception, we have successfully managed over 120 projects nationwide, including large-scale initiatives involving academic medical centers, women and children’s projects, medical office buildings, and behavioral health facilities. I am extremely proud of the progress we have made.

From a business perspective, Yellow Brick has reached a critical juncture due to our rapid expansion, presenting two clear options: invest in significant internal infrastructure or merge with a larger, aligned organization to sustain momentum.

Given these considerations, I have decided to sell Yellow Brick Consulting, Inc. and join CannonDesign. This transition integrates our Transition and Activation team with the Blue Cottage of CannonDesign Transition Team, resulting in the formation of the largest and most experienced team of its kind nationwide.

As I advance in my career, I have given considerable thought to aligning my professional commitments with my personal values. This merger enables me to continue contributing to a field I am passionate about while allowing time for engagement in nursing policy and valuable moments with family and friends.

For more than fifteen years, I have enjoyed a strong professional relationship with Juliet Rogers, Chief Strategy Officer at CannonDesign and President of Blue Cottage, built upon mutual respect for each other’s work, teams, and organizational values. Over time, we often discussed the prospect of collaboration. Although circumstances previously prevented such a partnership, I am pleased that we now have the opportunity to realize our shared vision.

Shared Values and Vision: Why CannonDesign?

The decision to partner with CannonDesign was motivated by more than strategic alignment; it was also grounded in shared values, complementary expertise, and a forward-looking perspective for our industry. I was immediately impressed by the leadership style and authenticity exhibited by Brad Lukanic, CEO and the firm’s Chief Financial Officer, Dave Carlino. Their employee-first philosophy and prioritization of long-term strategy reflect a commendable level of intentionality. Additionally, CannonDesign’s structure as an employee-owned firm fostered immediate alignment with our values. The leadership has demonstrated transparency regarding past challenges and the thoughtful, values-driven decisions that have shaped the organization, which has earned my respect.

A primary consideration during this process was the preservation of Yellow Brick’s identity, the strength of our team, and the momentum we have cultivated. It was essential that any prospective partner not only support our vision but also enhance it. CannonDesign’s successful integration of Blue Cottage in 2019 serves as evidence that acquisitions can be both cohesive and empowering. Blue Cottage has retained its core leadership, achieved continued growth, and flourished within CannonDesign’s platform of consulting services.. This precedent gives me confidence that Yellow Brick will retain its identity while extending its impact.

What’s Next?

With the unification of Yellow Brick and Blue Cottage resources, we will benefit from enhanced capacity and focus. This merger provides opportunities to deepen our work in Transition and Activation, areas with significant potential for continued innovation and development. With access to additional resources, we are positioned to approach challenges creatively, introduce new solutions, and adapt to our clients’ evolving needs. This partnership allows us to proactively shape the future of our services, bridging gaps intentionally and building programs that reflect the strengths of both organizations.

On a personal note, I look forward to learning and growing alongside new colleagues and embracing innovative approaches. Engaging in new processes and programs, as well as unexpected learning opportunities, is something I value deeply, reflecting a commitment to lifelong learning that is central to our organizational culture.

As stated in 2018, the achievements of Yellow Brick would not have been possible without the unwavering support of our team, family, friends, colleagues, and clients. I sincerely appreciate the encouragement, confidence, and ongoing commitment shown by all involved.

I anticipate many more successes ahead and welcome the opportunity to connect with those I have yet to meet. The outlook is promising, and I look forward to the next chapter.

Want to learn more about the announcement? Click here.