In this episode, host Taylor Baker sits down with Steve Pries, President of St. John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Denver, to talk about what it takes to build and lead a fast-growing, mission-driven school. Their conversation focuses on scaling a nonprofit organization while protecting culture, clarity of purpose, and long-term sustainability.
What You’ll Learn
- Why crystal-clear mission (and the discipline to repeat it often) becomes the best decision filter during seasons of rapid growth.
- What “grassroots institution-building” looks like in practice, from early fundraising to phased facility expansion.
- How growth through transition or merger can create culture clashes, and what leaders can do to integrate people with care and intention.
- The financial tension every mission-based organization must manage: accessibility vs. sustainability, and why constant discounting can quietly break the model.
- How strong messaging starts with identity: knowing exactly who you are, who you serve, and what makes your approach distinct.
- What a device-free, low-tech school day can teach about attention, learning, and healthier boundaries with technology.
- How experiences outside the classroom (adventure, athletics, beauty, and shared rituals) can shape resilience and character in students.
- A leadership principle for high-pressure environments: “sit in the struggle” long enough to understand the real problem before rushing to fix it.
In this episode, Steve shares a grounded view of leadership where strategy and mission have to stay connected especially when growth accelerates and complexity rises. The takeaway is a practical one: building something that lasts requires patience, humility, and a steady commitment to culture and clarity, even when quick solutions feel tempting.
To learn more about Steve Pries and their work.