About Compass Series
Purpose-Driven Growth, Led by People Who Care
At Compass Series, we believe every person—young or adult—deserves the opportunity to lead with clarity, confidence, and purpose. In a world of rapid change and complexity, we help individuals and teams reconnect to what matters most, unlocking personal leadership that drives meaningful impact.
Meet the Founders
Suzanne Van Stralen
Partner
- Ph.D. Transformative Learning and Change
- MAT, CA State Teaching Credential
- Direct teaching experience with public high school, Community high school, and Juvenile Hall Students
- Direct teaching experience with community college students
Martin Hall
Partner
- Ph.D. Human Values and Systems Thinking
- 40 Years of research and consulting in Human Values
- Direct teaching experience
- Curriculum and Application Development
Compass Series was founded by Martin Hall and Suzanne Van Stralen, two nationally respected leaders in human development and transformative learning.
Together, they bring over 40 years of combined experience in:
- Youth development and leadership education
- Systems change and capacity building
- Learning design grounded in psychology, equity, and neuroscience
- Executive coaching, teacher training, and curriculum innovation
Our Mission
To cultivate the mindset, tools, and resilience people need to thrive—across school, work, and life.
Our Framework
The Compass Series model combines developmental psychology with accessible tools and practices. Our leadership journeys are anchored in:
- Five Leadership Stages – a roadmap for understanding mindset evolution
- Beliefs & Values Clusters – to surface what truly drives action
- Practical Pathways – behavior-based guidance for personal and professional growth
Our Philosophy
We approach learning and leadership with three guiding principles:
- Whole-person growth over checklists and content dumps
- Collaborative learning environments that foster curiosity and dialogue
- Purposeful self-leadership instead of top-down authority
Whether you’re a 16-year-old student or a district leader, we guide you toward sustainable clarity, agency, and action.
Our Impact
Compass Series helps participants:
- Clarify values and personal identity
- Set meaningful, self-directed goals
- Build emotional intelligence and reflective habits
- Create a personalized Thriving Plan for school, work, and life
Join the Movement
Our work lives in classrooms, boardrooms, after-school programs, family conversations—and anywhere people want to grow. Whether you’re an educator, youth worker, or change-maker, Compass Series is here to guide the way.