About me
Ellen Williams is the Founder and CEO of The Salient Strategist, Inc., and host of the Time To Press Pause podcast. Her over 25 years of experience as a technologist and business consultant enables her to help clients achieve alignment of their business processes and technology platforms including accounting, sales, marketing, and ESG. Ellen’s work also facilitates her clients’ growth and impact on the planet.
What do you do and why do you do it?
I create time by helping companies align their processes with their technology platforms for increased productivity and business insights. I also assist with selecting and setting up their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) platforms and manage their responsibilities. This work allows me to make a much larger impact than I can as an individual, so my grandkids can grow up on a healthy planet.
Working in technology for over 25 years, I have witnessed, through its evolution, how technology can dictate time-consuming processes. As tools become outdated, they can hamper a company’s growth. This is why I do what I do. People work hard and should be able to make the most of their time, not battle the tools that are supposed to make their jobs easier.
My clients include hundreds of businesses across multiple industries, delivering the message that technology can be much simpler than expected. Recently, I’ve included artificial intelligence platforms when there is a strong use case.
What changed for you after age 50?
Not long after I turned 50, I left my corporate job. Entrepreneurship was not new to me, so making that leap was familiar and comfortable.
About 3 years later, I decided to return to the workforce. I applied for over 300 jobs, with plenty of interviews and second interviews and no offers. All my years of experience weren’t enough to land me a job, so I went directly to my network—people who knew and trusted me. I had a job within a few months at Orion Global Solutions.
With an ever-changing role at Orion, from Director of Advisory Services to Director of ESG Service, it was both a learning and teaching experience. When I turned 60 my grandkids took center stage, and I returned to the entrepreneur life. I launched The Salient Strategist, Inc, and happily, Orion became my first client! I also fulfilled a long-time goal of hosting a podcast and launched Time To Press Pause shortly thereafter.
What would you tell the 20 or 30-year-old YOU?
Believe in yourself. Work hard to see yourself the way other people see you. Your talent and skills are seen and appreciated by many people and you have earned their respect. Own it, and celebrate your accomplishments!
What do you think you’ll tell yourself in retrospect at the end of your life?
Bravo on standing up for yourself when you did. Congratulations on being a kind person and a good mother. You were better than you gave yourself credit for and know that you always did the best you could.
What impact do you think increased visibility can have on your business?
At my core, I am a teacher. Increased visibility will allow me to share my knowledge with more people and advise more companies on how to create time by aligning their processes and technology. It’s all about giving.
Who or what inspires you and why?
I am inspired by everyone working to reduce carbon emissions, from the World Health Organization to companies developing decarbonization projects and products, to kids who are protesting. Keeping the planet healthy is a global responsibility, and with all the negative news headlines, learning about the people who are stepping up and putting people before profits gives me hope.
