Guided Vision.

Grounded Action.

We help purpose-driven institutions and leaders move through complexity with care, clarity, and direction that lasts — and prepares them for what’s next.

Start with What Matters

Before strategy. Before planning. We begin with values. Ours guide everything we do — and we’ll help you name and live yours too.

Strategy Built for What’s Next

The world is shifting — fast. We blend deep insight with smart tools to help you move forward with confidence and clarity.

What We Offer

From strategy and retreats to culture-building and communications, our services are designed to meet the moment — and prepare you for what’s next.

Our Core Services

Tailored offerings that help teams align, lead with clarity, and bring their vision to life.

01. Strategy & Planning

We facilitate smart, inclusive planning that helps teams align on priorities, make decisions, and move with clarity. Our process centers on what matters most — your people, purpose, and goals –and turns it into a plan you’ll actually use. 

 

Services may include:

  • Strategic planning (organization-wide or team-specific)
  • Stakeholder discovery and alignment workshops
  • Prioritization, action mapping, and accountability planning
  • Measurement frameworks tied to strategic outcomes

02. People & Culture

We support organizations in creating cultures where people feel seen, valued, and able to thrive. From visioning to values-in-action, we help teams shape culture with intention — and bring it to life every day. 

 

Services may include:

  • Visioning and equity alignment
  • Shared values and ways-of-working development
  • Team effectiveness and inclusive collaboration
  • Leadership alignment retreats

03. Leadership & Team Development

We design experiences that build trust, clarity, and shared momentum. Whether through retreats, coaching, or team sessions, we meet leaders and teams where they are — and move them forward, together. 

 

Services may include:

  • Leadership and team retreats
  • New manager development
  • Retreat design and facilitation
  • Visioning, alignment, and planning experiences

 

04. Communication & Engagement Strategy

We craft clear, compelling strategies that connect people to purpose. From internal comms to campaign launches, we blend messaging and design to drive understanding, alignment, and action.

 

Services may include:

  • Internal communication strategies
  • Message and narrative development
  • Launch campaigns and change communication
  • Engagement design and storytelling
  • Branded collateral and visual storytelling support

05. Operational Culture & Service Design

We help organizations bring their values to life through everyday operations — from how people are welcomed and trained, to how service is delivered and sustained.

 

Services may include:

  • Onboarding and training experience design
  • Customer and client service culture alignment
  • Cross-functional ways-of-working development
  • Embedding values into internal processes and workflows
  • Coaching for frontline managers and team leads
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06. Change Management

We guide organizations through change with clarity, care, and confidence. From strategy shifts to culture transformation, we help teams navigate transitions in a way that’s people centered, sustainable, and aligned with long-term goals. 

 

Services may include:

  • Change readiness assessments 
  • Stakeholder engagement & communication 
  • Transition planning & implementation 
  • Leadership alignment during change 
  • Post-change reinforcement strategies 
About the Founder

Meet Kristal Smart

I’ve been a teacher, a professional dancer, a nonprofit VP, a strategic consultant, and more. Some people might call that a winding path — I call it depth. Each chapter built the next, layering wisdom, courage, and skill.

I’ve led classrooms and boardrooms. I’ve built strategic plans for universities and held space for Fortune 500 executives working through change. At every step, I’ve reinvented with purpose — not because I failed, but because I was called forward.
Now, as the founder of Smart Strategies Group, I bring everything I’ve learned into a practice rooted in care, clarity, and collaboration. I believe strategy should feel human. I believe care is power. And I believe the best work comes from being brave enough to bring your whole self to the table.

Founder, Smart Strategies Group
Golden Time of Day on repeat.

Past Collaborations

Project Highlights

A sampling of client projects I’ve led or supported across industries and sectors.

Our Values

Where We Begin — And How We Stay Aligned

At Smart Strategies Group, we don’t treat values as a poster on the wall or a page in the handbook.

We see them as the compass. The clarity. The real work.

These are the truths we return to — the ones that hold us steady in moments of growth, tension, or change.

They guide how we show up, how we lead, and how we partner with others.

Helping leaders name, align, and live their values is one of the most powerful things we do.

Depth Over Performance

We don’t just scratch the surface — we seek what’s true, layered, and lasting. We move with intention, ask better questions, and let clarity lead the way.

We show up reflective, intuitive, and present — not rushing clarity just to look like we’ve arrived. We honor the way we process and trust that thoughtful insight leads to stronger outcomes.

We believe in the dignity and brilliance of every person. We honor difference, neurodiversity, and lived experience as sources of wisdom.

We believe in second chances, in mending what’s been harmed, and in making space for repair — in systems, relationships, and ourselves.

We believe beauty is energy. It’s the color, rhythm, and style that makes things come alive — from presentations to conversations to the spaces we create. When something feels beautiful, people open up, lean in, and move with joy.

We believe beauty is energy. It’s the color, rhythm, and style that makes things come alive — from presentations to conversations to the spaces we create. When something feels beautiful, people open up, lean in, and move with joy.

We hold space for growth without harsh judgment. We believe people act from what they’ve known — and we believe they can learn, grow, and rise.

Let’s Work Together

Whether you’re exploring a new project, looking for a partner to support your team, or just curious about how we approach the work, we’d love to connect. Start by filling out the short form below. It helps us understand what you’re working on — whether it’s a subject area, a challenge you’re navigating, or a goal you’re working toward.

From there, we’ll reach out to schedule a 30-minute conversation to:

Connect With Us