The Salient Strategist, LLC

At The Salient Strategist, we believe every successful system starts with one powerful act: listening, because transformation begins with understanding and leads to meaningful momentum..

We don’t jump to solutions.
We don’t document from assumptions.
We begin with questions.

From business analysis and process diagrams to process improvement and technology alignment, we bring structure to ambiguity, untangle messy workflows, and create practical documentation that turns transformational ideas into functional technology and AI deployments.

CEO and Sr. Business Analyst

ESG Disclose

Business Analyst services focused on gathering ESG data for carbon emissions accounting and reduction projects.

ESG Tech Expert

Digital Thinker (Impact Innovation)

Strategic Advisor, ESG

Orion Global Solutions

- Research and documentation for business development strategic initiatives
- Partner with C-Suite to manage initiatives

Strategic Initiatives Lead

I wear many hats at Orion in addition to the responsibilities of my title. 

- Directed and managed the growth from $0 to $1M annual sales of our ESG Services (Salesforce Net Zero Cloud implementations). 
- Expanded Advisory Services to include technology reviews and roadmaps, development of RFPs, and technology selection guidance (CRM, ERP, PSA)
- Developed new go-to-market strategies that maintained the business through the pandemic with over $3M in revenue.
- Cross-functional collaboration with delivery and sales teams.
- Worked directly with the CEO on strategic initiatives, including COVID response, Private Equity services, and internal introduction of AI 
- Business Analyst, Project Manager (Agile, Jira), UAT Development, and end-user training on Salesforce Implementations
- Speaker on topics including data, AI, ESG, and inclusion

Director, Advisory & ESG Services 

- Business Analyst, Project Manager, UAT Development, and end-user training on Salesforce Implementations

Senior Business Analyst

Forbes Business Development Council

Lead community group in strategic business development conversations.

Member and Leader, Strategic Growth Group 

Hofstra University

Developed and presented curriculum for CRM and marketing automation courses focusing on business strategy, analytics, and research.

Continuing Education Instructor

Trade Show Solutions Center LLC

Management of strategic operations initiatives:
- financial analysis, budget development, and process improvement
- team strategy sessions
- technology selections

Chief of Staff to the CEO 

The Marketing Boutique Inc

- Development of all operations strategies and technology selection.
- Business Analyst, Project Manager, and end-user training on all operating systems.
- Project management of customer projects. 
- Management and collaboration with both technical and creative personnel.

Chief Operations Officer

B2B R&D

CEO and Co-founder of a SaaS research and consultancy firm focused on creating/hosting educational webinars and digital conferences to educate Marketers and Business Owners on the continual changes in digital marketing strategies and technologies. 

Developed business partnerships and growth strategies including early adoption of new video platforms and the creation and production of the "vodcast" Morning Sip.

CEO & Co-Founder

Constant Contact

- Developed strategic roll-out of Salesforce to the field marketing team and led a cross-functional team to implement the initiative, resulting in the increased success of North American field events and personally earning "Step-Up" and Leadership Awards.

- Created innovative events to educate small business owners on social media and email marketing
- Presented Constant Contact educational seminars, achieved an accumulative total of 20,000 attendees
- Doubled the geography of my region
- Increased customer acquisition and retention year-over-year
- Collaborated to develop new services that the channel partners could independently deliver
- Surpassed bonus targets every quarter for 4 years
 
- Built strategic relationships with stakeholders and decision-makers at local business organizations, associations, and government agencies advancing Constant Contact brand loyalty in my region.

Selected, mentored, and managed a team of 14 local channel partners.

Director, Regional Business Development

Business Analysis That Builds Valuation and Fuels Growth | Presence, Connection, and Impactful Change | Speaker | Author

I’m Ellen Williams, a Business Analyst, technology advisor, and CEO of The Salient Strategist, with over 25 years of experience leading business process and technology transformations for efficiency.

I help organizations go from stuck to scaling by turning complexity into clarity through strategic analysis, plain-English communication, and full-lifecycle project support. I’ve led strategic initiatives for private equity, sustainability, SaaS partners, and AI adoption. 

From ERP and CRM to ESG and AI, by staying engaged with projects from discovery through Quality Assurance (QA) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT), I ensure that what gets built actually increases efficiency and productivity, leading to growth.

I have been featured in Forbes, Crain’s NY, and on podcasts like Sustainable Minds and Shark Bite Biz. I’m also the host of Time To Press Pause: A Podcast for CEOs by CEOs, where we talk about the moments that shape leaders, and why pressing pause is sometimes the smartest move.

Top Skills:
Listening & Learning
Designing for efficiency
Communicating and collaborating
Analyzing and problem-solving
Executive Mindset

Uncertainty is expensive.
It shows up in rework, slow decisions, frustrated teams, and the feeling that you’re always one step behind.

Most of the time, the root cause isn’t strategy.

It’s undocumented processes.

When no one is 100% sure how things should be done, every task becomes a gamble. And those small daily guesses add up to real money, including lost revenue, missed opportunities, and stalled growth.

Documenting your processes removes that uncertainty. It gives your team clarity, consistency, and the ability to move fast without breaking things.

Here’s the real question:
Is removing uncertainty worth $10,000 to you?

If the answer is yes, let’s talk. 

I can help you uncover the gaps and document the way your business truly runs by the end of December so you can scale with confidence in 2026.


#leadership #clarity #processdocumentation #processes

Ellen Williams

This is the moment to invest in clarity, confidence, and alignment.

The companies that enter 2026 with strong, documented processes will be the ones that accelerate while everyone else hesitates.

We all know that business leaders are building their 2026 strategies right now. Growth plans. Market expansions. New initiatives. Bold revenue targets.

But you can’t execute a strong strategy on top of unclear processes.

And with everything happening in the world, the companies that win next year will be the ones that remove as much uncertainty as possible inside their operations.

Because when your internal world is clear, predictable, and aligned, the external noise becomes far less disruptive.

Documented processes are what make that possible.

They give your team confidence.
They make onboarding faster.
They reduce errors and miscommunication.
They protect your margins.
They help you move quickly when the market shifts.

I often find that your people have already discovered better ways of doing things. You just haven’t captured it yet.

That’s where The Salient Pathway becomes a strategic advantage.
We help you:
• Review your current processes with a fresh, objective lens.
• Uncover what’s really happening including the improvements your team has already created.
• Identify where those real-world actions are stronger than the original processes.
• Document everything in a clear, scalable format that supports growth.

When you remove internal uncertainty, everything else becomes easier, from  decision-making, execution, and accountability, to your ability to respond to whatever 2026 brings.

If you’re ready to bring clarity to your organization, let’s talk.

Over the past 40 years, I have helped thousands of businesses improve and streamline their processes. Through in-depth, confidential conversations across all levels of the organization, I learn what's working, and what's not. 


#processimprovement #clarity #2026strategies #removeuncertainty #leadership #businessgrowth

We need to save humanity.

For over 20 years I've been creating business and digital transformation experiences for my clients. In 2020 I was fortunate to merge my passion (sustainability) with my skills (technology). As Director, Advisory & ESG Services at Orion Global Solutions, I spend my days talking with prospects and clients about the alignment of processes and technologies. These conversations cover all aspects of their business and always include how sustainability affects risks, profits, and culture. We also discuss the importance of calculating their carbon emissions baseline so they have accurate data to make changes that truly make a difference!

In addition to working one-on-one with clients, I also deliver keynotes, workshops, and seminars. I speak at in-person and virtual events, and am happy to jump on a podcast or streaming program!

Here are a few of my recent interviews:

Shark Bite Biz Vodcast - Talking About Selecting Technology and Sustainability
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8IHISD-SOc

Sustainability and ESG in Corporate America 
https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6954645476059099136/

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