We help clinical leaders grow, lead with confidence, and navigate change because we’ve been there.
ABOUT US
Get Support From People Who Understand the Complexities of Healthcare Leadership.
We’re proudly nurse- and woman-owned, with decades of experience in clinical leadership and healthcare operations. We created Canopy Consultants because we know how hard it is to find development opportunities that feel truly relevant—and how transformative the right support can be.
From Boston to Burlington, VT, and Worcester to Baltimore, MD, we partner with healthcare institutions throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic.
Let’s talk about how we can support your leaders, strengthen your organization, and move your vision forward.
FEATURED IN
Sara Macchiano
MS, MBA, RN, NEA-BC
“My favorite part of this work? When someone says, 'I didn’t expect to get so much out of this—I feel better already.' That moment when something clicks—when they feel seen, supported, and more confident in their next step—that’s everything to me.”
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Sara brings decades of healthcare leadership experience and a gift for making even the busiest leaders feel heard, energized, and empowered. Raised in upstate New York, Sara credits her family (and a few great field hockey teammates) for her foundation of grit, connection, and joy. She married her high school sweetheart and is the proud parent of three kids who constantly keep life interesting.
Sara excels at finding something to appreciate in every moment — except, perhaps, during workouts (she prefers the feeling after they're over).
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Before starting Canopy, Sara most recently served as the Senior Administrative Director for Clinical Operations in the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. She led the administrative clinical operations for the outpatient, consult, emergency and inpatient clinical services. Partnering closely with physician colleagues and administrative teams to ensure advancements in care delivery and improvements in access to much-needed services. In her tenure, she reduced the average wait time for an outpatient visit, implemented an RN model for an injection clinic and supported the launch of a multidisciplinary team-based care delivery model.
Sara's ability to rapidly move from assessment to action was relied on during the COVID-19 surge when she was tasked with serving as the project manager for the hospital's nurse staffing plans. Sara designed and launched a web-based staffing application to collect accurate data related to available nurse staffing compared to needed staffing. The application provides nurse executives with real-time information on acuity to better predict and meet patient needs with available staff.
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Publications
Chen, J.; Macchiano, S.; Beckmann, D.; Chung, W.; Gartaganis, S.; Huffman, J.; (2022) Implementing Multidisciplinary Team-Based Care in an Academic Outpatient Psychiatry Department Psychiatry Online
Connaughton, M.; Joseph, M.; Macchiano, S. (2009). Truth and Honesty. In Gantz, N.R (Ed), 101 Global Leadership Lessons for Nurses: Shared legacies from leaders and their mentors (pp. 541-546). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.
Presentations
Macchiano, S. (2021). Team-Based Care in Outpatient Psychiatry: A journey in transforming care and improving access. Presented 3/2021 at American Academy of Ambulatory Nursing National Conference, Virtual Conference.
Stacy Hutton Johnson
PhD, MS/MBA, RN, NEA-BC
“I love watching leaders gain clarity — about themselves, their work, and the difference they’re making. And I especially love when those insights turn into long-lasting community and better outcomes for their teams and patients.”
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Originally from Maine, Stacy now lives outside Boston and brings both a calm presence and a passion for lifelong learning to her work. With a deep clinical background and extensive leadership experience, she helps healthcare leaders pause, reflect, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
She recharges in nature and enjoys the balance of both city and country life. A lifelong reader, Stacy always has a stack of books on her nightstand and a curiosity that drives her to explore new places and flavors—often adventuring with her family in tow. Her thoughtful, grounded approach creates space for connection, insight, and meaningful growth.
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Stacy served as Chief Nurse Officer at Boston Hope field hospital during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic where she hired, trained and supported nursing staff that came from across the United States to care for an under-served patient population in need. Stacy's ability to partner with interdisciplinary colleagues and establish a team and culture anchored on the Magnet principles resulted in a team that was prepared to provide patient care excellence and engage in exceptionally rapid cycle improvements.
Stacy most recently served as the Associate Chief Nurse of Professional Practice at Atrius Health, a 25 site, multi-specialty ambulatory system where she partnered with Nurse Executives and the C-Suite to execute on a vision of team-based care. Her work focused on realizing the full value of RN, LPN and medical assistant team members working at the top of their scope of practice in an empowered work environment to enhance patient care.
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Publications
Baughman A.W., Hirschberg R.E., Lucas L.J., Suarez E.D., Stockmann D., Hutton Johnson S., Hutter M.M., (...), Palamara K. (2020) Pandemic Care Through Collaboration: Lessons From a COVID-19 Field Hospital. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21 (11) , pp. 1563-1567.
Erickson, J. I., Hutton Johnson, S., Blanchfield, B.B. (2020). Using Magnet Model Components at a COVID-19–Positive Field Hospital. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 50 (9), 435-437. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000912
Levy, N., Zucco, L., Ehrlichman, R.J., Hirschberg, R.E., Hutton Johnson, S., Yaffe, M.B., Ramachandran, S.K., Bose, S., Leibowitz, A. (2020). Development of Rapid Response Capabilities in a Large COVID-19 Alternate Care Site Using Failure Modes and Effect Analysis with In Situ Simulation. Anesthesiology, 133, 985–996 doi: https://doi.org/10.1097/ALN.0000000000003521
Lyons, K.S., Hutton Johnson, S. & Lee, C.S. (2020). The role of symptom appraisal, concealment and social support in optimizing dyadic mental health in heart failure. Aging & Mental Health, doi: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1711866
Presentations
Hutton Johnson, S. (2020). Elevating & Empowering Ambulatory Nursing Practice. Podium presented 8/2020 at American Academy of Ambulatory Nursing National Conference, Virtual Conference.
Derkazarian, J. & Hutton Johnson, S. (2020). Grand Ole Ambulatory – Strings, Tuning, then Practice Melody. Poster presented 9/2020 at American Organization of Nurse Leaders, Annual Conference, Virtual.
Hutton Johnson, S. & Charles, J. (2019). Design & Implementation of a Nursing Orientation Program. Poster presented 5/2019 at American Academy of Ambulatory Nursing National Conference, Palm Springs, CA.
OUR APPROACH
Strategic Support Rooted in Experience
At Canopy Consultants, we know that effective leaders create healthy work environments—and ultimately, better outcomes for patients. Our work is rooted in real-world experience, adult learning theory, and professional leadership competencies to support leaders in their development needs. We meet leaders where they are, offering practical, relational, and reflective development that makes an immediate and lasting impact.
Based in Greater Boston and serving healthcare institutions across New England and beyond, we specialize in leadership development that understands the current landscape. Whether you're navigating leadership transitions, developing emerging leaders, or simply need more strategic capacity, we help leaders rise to the challenge while creating space for others to grow.
Our name, Canopy Consultants, represents just that: a leadership approach that lifts, protects, and makes room for growth—where light filters in and roots run deep.
Clinical Leadership Services
Facilitator-Led Leadership Development Courses
Our courses blend practical tools, coaching, and reflection to help leaders at any level grow with confidence. Designed to be engaging, flexible, and immediately useful—perfect for retreats, team-building, or ongoing development.
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Single Day – 8-Hour Course
You’re Willing to Lead is a proven program teaching practical communication and conflict management skills for healthcare leaders. Ideal for clinical leaders in non-managerial roles or those new to formal leadership.Experienced Leaders – Unit-Focused Series
Deepening Your Leadership Practice is a four-part program for nurse leaders ready to strengthen leadership skills and enhance unit-level impact. Best for formal leaders with 6+ months in role.Advanced Leaders – Organization-Focused Series
Expanding Your Leadership Influence is an advanced four-part series for experienced leaders seeking to expand influence beyond the unit to service line or organizational level.
Strength-Based Coaching
Our strength-based coaching helps leaders pause, reflect, and grow. Offered in flexible 8–16 week sessions for individuals or teams, it’s a high-impact way to build confidence and effectiveness—whether on its own or paired with our courses or consulting.
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A high-impact way to accelerate leadership effectiveness through reflection and growth. Our strength-based coaching, rooted in proven methods utilized by Mary J. Connaughton, supports leaders and teams who are:
Transitioning to new roles
Preparing for advancement
Leading complex initiatives
Adjusting to organizational changes
Available as a stand-alone service or alongside leadership programs and consulting.
Operational & Leadership Consulting
Our consulting services help you keep things moving during leadership transitions or busy seasons. From strategic planning to team assessments, we support your leaders with the structure and clarity they need to move forward.
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Consulting
We help healthcare organizations navigate complex projects and strategic priorities with expertise in leadership, operations, and culture. Services include:Leadership onboarding & succession planning
Team/work environment assessments
Strategic planning & initiative facilitation
Ambulatory practice optimization
Burnout assessment & culture transformation
Our approach ensures alignment, buy-in, and lasting impact while building leadership capacity.
Download Our Full Service Guide!
Our full service guide outlines each of our offerings in more detail—from expert facilitator-led courses and coaching to consulting services tailored for healthcare leaders. Whether you're exploring options or ready to take the next step, this guide will give you a clear view of how we can support your team’s growth and impact.
Why Healthcare Leaders Choose Canopy
Sharon Stemm, MSN, RN, NE-BC, Associate Chief Nursing Officer
“Strategy work: Through the mentorship of Stacy and Sara, the South Shore Health Nurse Executive team deepened our knowledge related to connecting the organizations strategic goals to an actionable nursing strategic plan. Through this journey, we strengthened our professional accountability and focused on sustainable interventions that directly impact valuable outcomes. In addition, we invited other nurse leaders to join our dynamic journey, exposing them to executive level planning and execution. A roadmap to success! 1:1 work: With the support of Canopy experts through 1:1 coaching, I have advanced my ability to execute intentional interventions to address strategic priorities, track and showcase the impact of the team I lead, and navigate workload- life integration while maintaining equanimity. The time I spent developing myself professionally has resulted in growth, confidence, efficiency, and strategic thinking.”
Betsy Hassan, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC, Director, Nursing Education & Professional Development
“Our partnership with Canopy Consultants has provided our nurse leaders and emerging nurse leaders with practical tools to implement in their practice. Based on the AONL Nurse Leader Competencies, Sara and Stacy aid our leaders in developing the leader within, focusing on who they are, how they want to lead, and the influence they have in working with staff. With a kind, realistic, and thoughtful approach, these leadership development sessions are connecting our leadership teams to purpose and finding joy in leading.”
Mary J. Connaughton, RN, MS, (Ret.), Principle and Founder Connaughton Consulting
“I have known and worked with Sara & Stacy for over 15 years through numerous leadership workshops and mentoring experiences. They always stood out to me as being extraordinarily intelligent, curious, and thoughtful about leadership: their practice and the practice of those they managed. It was a delight to see them evolve into superior leaders themselves and observe the powerful impact they have had in every role and setting over the years. I had the privilege of working with Stacy and Sara as they embarked on their Canopy Consultants journey. In addition to my strengths-based coaching framework, I conveyed to them leadership programs based on the cross-cultural research of Dr. Angeles Arrien that were core to my consulting practice. They have designed numerous additional outstanding programs to align with the needs of emerging, novice, and advanced leaders. As a consultant for over 20 years, I am fully aware of the need for leadership development in every health care role and level. It is very reassuring to see that Stacy and Sara have partnered to form Canopy Consultants. The health care practice and academic communities will be well served by their expertise and wholehearted passion for optimizing the leadership potential in every individual and team. I consider it a blessing to have found such wise and capable leaders to carry on this transformative work.”
Let’s Start the Conversation
We’d love to learn more about you, your team, and the challenges or opportunities you’re navigating. Fill out the form below to get in touch—whether you’re exploring options, ready to book a consultation, or just curious about how we might support your leadership goals.