Our Team

Reaching new heights requires a trusted guide. Our team is dedicated to helping you create lasting change within your organization.

 
 
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Alison Hart

Founder & Chief Strategist

I’m a servant leader, a natural connector, and a strategic problem solver. After a long career as an executive in the private sector and at nonprofit organizations, I founded A. Hart Associates so I could serve as a catalyst for organizational change.

I’m living my passion, helping leaders sharpen their focus, evolve the conversation, drive consensus, and transform their organizations and communities. I approach every interaction with honesty and integrity, seeking to create space for others to learn, share, and grow.

I love tending my vegetable and herb garden and using the harvest to create beautiful, seasonal meals from scratch. I’m fascinated by exploring the amazing world around us, both locally and abroad. Yoga centers me, as does spending time outdoors hiking a trail or paddleboarding. And I gain tremendous inspiration from losing myself in a good book.

What sets me apart

  • Years of executive-level leadership

  • Expertise in building public-private partnerships 

  • A proven strategic planning framework for long-term adoption and outcomes, organizational growth and stability, and sustainability

  • A gift for gaining consensus and alignment

  • Facilitating connections within a carefully-curated and trusted network 

  • Deep experience working  associations, small business, nonprofit, government, economic development, and tourism

Foundational experience

  • More than 15 years of executive-level leadership for associations, honing proven methods for strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and program development to move complex initiatives forward. 

  • Over two decades of experience building public/private partnerships, most notably as launch director for the Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center, a five-year project that resulted in exponential growth in partners and public/private funding

  • 10+ years of experience crafting strategic plans from alignment to execution, including a key strategic consulting relationships with Small Business Development Center networks nationwide.

Kristi Reed

Operations & Alignment Support

With over 20 years of experience in operations and project management, I am genuinely passionate about supporting entrepreneurs and helping them thrive. My goal is to enable them to focus on what matters most. As a reliable partner and team member, I take pride in combining precision and creativity in every collaboration, ensuring that we achieve the best possible outcomes together. In my role as Operations Support, I excel at building efficient systems and simplifying workflows, ensuring that complex projects progress smoothly and clearly. My enthusiasm for creativity enables me to produce polished, professional materials that enhance both internal operations and external communications.

 As a proud native Oregonian, my time spent on the East Coast in Pennsylvania highlighted my appreciation for the stunning beauty and inspiration of the Pacific Northwest, which I’m fortunate to call home once more. I truly enjoy spending quality time outdoors with my husband and daughter, particularly at the breathtaking Oregon Coast. Additionally, I’ve recently discovered a passion for hands-on woodworking projects, which has become a wonderfully fulfilling hobby for me!

 Whether I’m fine-tuning daily operations or leading larger initiatives, my commitment lies in helping businesses move forward with streamlined processes, clear communication, and confidence.