Helping organizations work better.
At The Strategic Advance, we believe that small and mid-sized organizations deserve the same thoughtful, practical strategy as large institutions—especially when they’re working to make the world better. As a boutique consulting firm led by an executive with extensive professional experience, including almost a decade in executive leadership guiding large-scale transformations, we partner with public, nonprofit, and purpose-driven private teams to build the critical capacity they need to deliver on their mission.We bolster the core systems, structures, and skills essential for highly effective teams. From guiding strategic planning and optimizing day-to-day operations to fostering enduring change, our approach is pragmatic and proven in real-world leadership. Whether it's process improvement, capacity building, or clarifying complex goals, we're here to ignite your next strategic advance.Because when mission-driven organizations work better, communities thrive.
Our focused approach for sustainable growth.
We specialize in organizational development, fundamentally strengthening how teams work to become more effective, adaptable, and impactful. We cultivate the internal clarity, robust systems, and sustainable habits essential for continuous improvement and long-term mission delivery. Our approach is guided by The Strategic Advance Framework and methodically applied through a continuous improvement cycle of Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This ensures sustained growth and better outcomes for mission-driven organizations.
The Strategic Advance Framework
Vision & Strategy Development
Operational Efficiency
Stakeholder Engagement
Employee Growth & Learning
Organizational Change
Impact & Performance Tracking
Each of these areas is explored in more depth on our Our Approach page, where you'll also find the principles that guide our work, including our commitment to tailoring solutions and building your capacity for ongoing success. Ready to explore how we can elevate your organization? Follow the links below to learn more about our approach, services, and the team behind The Strategic Advance.
Schedule a free consultation.
Let's start the conversation.
Tell us a bit about your organization, and we’ll schedule a free, one-hour consultation to explore your needs and see how The Strategic Advance can help you move forward.
Our Approach.
Improving how your organization works isn’t just about solving today’s problems. It’s about building the structures, habits, and confidence to meet tomorrow’s challenges too. That's where The Strategic Advance steps in.We help mission-driven teams become more effective by aligning strategy, systems, and daily operations with their mission. Our work is rooted in organizational development and guided by a continuous improvement cycle of Research, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation. This iterative process ensures solutions are not just implemented, but are also refined and deeply embedded, leading to adaptable and resilient organizations—all informed by extensive professional experience, including significant executive-level leadership in large-scale transformations.We don’t offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, we tailor our work to your unique goals, challenges, and context, partnering with you to build momentum and create sustainable progress. Every engagement is designed to not only address immediate needs but also build your team’s capacity for ongoing improvement, ensuring lasting impact born from real-world, executive-level expertise.Our work is guided by The Strategic Advance Framework, which focuses on six core areas to drive stronger strategy, smarter systems, and better outcomes. Explore each area below to discover how we empower organizations to build capacity and create meaningful change.
The Strategic Advance Framework
Vision & Strategy Development.
We help organizations get clear on where they’re going and how to get there. Whether you're starting fresh or adjusting course, we bring structure and momentum to your planning process.
Align your team around a shared vision and clear priorities.
Translate long-term goals into actionable, achievable plans.
Make strategic decisions based on evidence, not guesswork.
Operational Efficiency.
Good ideas can get stuck when systems are inefficient. We help improve workflows, reduce friction, and create space to let you focus on what truly matters, delivering impact to the community.
Streamline key processes to save time and resources.
Reduce duplication, delays, and miscommunication.
Build systems that scale as your organization grows.
Stakeholder Engagement.
Successful outcomes require strong stakeholder connections, especially in complex settings. We help you build consensus and collaborate effectively with all key parties to achieve your goals.
Strengthen collaboration across teams and departments.
Build more transparent and trusting relationships with partners or the public.
Improve how you gather input and act on feedback.
Employee Growth & Learning.
Investing in your team is investing in your mission's success. We help you design learning programs that build lasting skills, boost confidence, and strengthen organizational capacity.
Deliver tailored learning experiences that meet real needs.
Support leadership development and team effectiveness.
Create a culture of ongoing learning and growth.
Organizational Change.
Change can be challenging, but we help you navigate it with confidence. Drawing on executive experience, we guide transitions by building buy-in and ensuring teams move forward together.
Plan and communicate change in ways that build trust.
Minimize disruption while keeping teams aligned and engaged.
Support culture shifts with practical, people-centered strategies.
Impact & Performance Tracking.
To improve and showcase success, you must measure what matters. We help you develop clear metrics and tracking systems to guide improvement and communicate your impact effectively.
Design simple, practical tools to monitor progress.
Focus on outcomes that demonstrate real impact, not just outputs.
Use data to make better decisions and show your organization's value.
Let's see how we can help your organization:
Our Services.
Every organization is unique, and our support reflects that. Drawing on extensive executive-level experience, we deliver tailored, tangible results for your mission-driven team.We begin with a complimentary, low-pressure consultation to understand your goals and ensure we're the right strategic partner. Our commitment to upfront pricing transparency means clear deliverables and costs from day one, fostering trust and confident planning.Many partners start with our expert-led Strategic Snapshot or Organizational Diagnostic, which leverage The Strategic Advance Framework for immediate insights and a clear path forward. If these aren't a perfect fit, we'll customize an approach for your specific context and budget.Explore our initial service offerings below, designed to provide insight and drive sustainable change.
Let's get to know each other.
60 minutes | A free first step, on us
A free, one-hour conversation to explore your organization’s needs and see if we’re a good fit. Before we meet, you’ll answer a few short questions so we can better understand your context and make the most of our time together.Deliverables:
60-minute virtual session focused on your priorities and goals
Follow-up summary with insights, resources, and recommended next steps
Targeted insight session.
14 hours | $2,500-$4,000 depending on scope
A focused engagement designed to quickly explore a specific challenge, opportunity, or team dynamic within a pillar of The Strategic Advance Framework. We’ll gather input through a handful of interviews, document review, and light observation, then offer early, actionable insights and targeted next steps tailored to that particular area. This focused engagement aligns with the Research and initial Evaluation stages of our continuous improvement cycle. We gather critical information and assess a specific area, providing actionable insights that pave the way for targeted Planning and Implementation in subsequent work.
Brief findings memo with key observations and 3–5 targeted recommendations related to the organizational area
60-minute debrief session to review insights, answer questions, and suggest practical next steps
Mission alignment assessment.
80 hours | $14,000-$22,000 depending on scope
This comprehensive, two-week assessment is a deep Research dive, thoroughly examining your organization, department, or initiative through The Strategic Advance Framework. Using interviews, surveys, and document analysis, we Evaluate how well your systems, processes, and culture align with your mission. You'll receive a detailed analysis and strategic recommendations, often culminating in a co-created high-level roadmap. These insights create a critical foundation for subsequent Planning and Implementation efforts, ensuring your organization effectively advances its impact.
Detailed findings and recommendations report offering a strategic overview of organizational alignment and practical steps to enhance capacity and mission focus
60-minute leadership presentation and debrief session to review insights, answer questions, and co-create a roadmap for future action
Let's see how we can help your business:
Our Team.
We’re a small, experienced team bringing significant leadership insight from government and nonprofit sectors. That cross-sector, real-world perspective helps us understand the unique complexities and resource considerations mission-driven organizations face.We believe passionately in better systems, smarter strategies, and a more impactful world—made possible by dedicated teams like yours pursuing meaningful work. We bring that conviction, alongside a deep commitment to pragmatic and tailored support, to every engagement.We're not just consultants; we're dedicated partners in your mission, committed to helping you achieve lasting, mission-driven results.
Adam Poser | Founder & Managing Director
Adam brings nearly two decades of experience helping organizations improve how they operate and deliver on their missions, including work with small nonprofits, local governments, and state agencies. He has led significant change initiatives in state and local government, including transforming operations at a $2 billion health and human services state agency and redesigning strategic processes for the capital city of Virginia. Adam’s work centers on continuous improvement, operational excellence, and building sustainable systems that support long-term success.He founded The Strategic Advance out of a belief that mission-driven organizations have the power to change the world, but only when they’re equipped to do so effectively. Adam enjoys partnering with teams to strengthen organizational culture, refine systems, and enhance how people work together. After years of driving change inside government, he recognized the challenges small and mid-sized organizations face in accessing expert support. The Strategic Advance was created to close that gap by delivering practical, thoughtful guidance to the teams making the biggest impact.
Alix Collins | Project Advisor
Alix brings over 15 years of experience strengthening how organizations engage communities and deliver impactful projects, working across nonprofits and local governments. She has led and supported community development initiatives in the U.S. and internationally, focused on building partnerships and fostering inclusive decision-making to drive lasting results.She has managed multidisciplinary teams and guided complex planning processes from early engagement through to implementation. Alix excels at designing and overseeing work plans, budgets, facilitation, and communications to ensure projects align with community priorities and organizational goals.Alix believes that diverse voices and collaborative approaches are essential to effective planning and community change. She enjoys helping partners navigate challenging planning environments, build consensus, and apply data-driven strategies to achieve shared success.
Burt & Otis | Co-Directors of Security & Snacks
As Co-Directors of Security & Snacks, Burt and Otis bring years of expertise in food vigilance, package alerts, and morale boosting. They enforce strict treat protocols, monitor all delivery activity, and provide essential emotional support during long strategy sessions. Their dedication to clean floors, power naps, and tail wags keeps The Strategic Advance running smoothly.
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Contact Us.
Let's Connect.
Whether you’re ready to schedule a consultation, have a quick question, or just want to learn more about how we can help your organization change the world, we’re here to listen.Fill out the form or reach out directly by emailing [email protected]. We’ll get back to you promptly and look forward to starting a conversation.
Social media.
Send us a message.
Newsletter.
Join our newsletter on Substack, where Founder & Managing Director, Adam Poser, shares practical insights, real-world lessons, and reflections on how organizations can work better and deliver greater impact.The newsletter covers strategy, operations, organizational culture, change leadership, and more, with a focus on the challenges and opportunities facing mission-driven teams.Explore the latest posts and subscribe using the link below to get new insights delivered straight to your inbox.
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