Sara Gallagher

About Sara Gallagher

Strategy gets a lot of attention. It’s compelling, ambitious, visionary. But from where I sit, ambitious plans are everywhere. Clear, sustained execution is not.I work with C-suite executives and PMO leaders to reduce execution drag and accelerate strategy—with fewer false starts and less leadership gridlock. Why Most Strategy Execution Advice FailsTraditional advice still pushes tidy frameworks and academic “shoulds.” But best practice isn’t always RIGHT practice. Real progress starts by designing execution systems that move at the speed of your strategy.whether or not it matches an expert\'s trademarked maturity model. Build an Execution Engine that Fits YOUR OrganizationThere’s no universal blueprint for execution—because no two organizations face the same constraints or challenges. Culture, decision velocity, leadership style, tech stack, team dynamics. It all matters. I help leaders design tailored execution systems that fit their real-world conditions. Together, we uncover what’s slowing progress—and co-create ways of working that actually work. How I Can Help Free Weekly Insights: Big Dumb QuestionsSubscribe to my LinkedIn newsletter for candid takes on the overlooked challenges that slow organizations down. Advisory Consulting: Execution Engine ChecksFocused diagnostics to uncover what’s dragging down strategy—and what to do about it. Executive & Leadership Team CoachingStrategic support for navigating complexity, alignment, and high-stakes decision-making. PMO ConsultingHands-on guidance for evolving your execution capabilities, including support for PMOs. Workshops & KeynotesEngaging sessions that shift thinking and inspire action—from the boardroom to the big stage. Who I Work WithI primarily partner with leaders of Fortune organizations who are accountable for delivering portfolios of high-stakes initiatives—and tired of cookie-cutter advice that doesn’t match their reality.My clients include- CIOs, CTOs, and COOs charged with driving strategic execution- PMO Directors and Portfolio Leaders who see their PMOs as strategic partners (not reporting factories)- Executive teams aligned on goals but unclear or conflicted on how to get there Who I AmFor more than fifteen years, I\'ve helped organizations bridge the gap between big ambitions and tangible results. Read more about my story here: Get In TouchReady to rethink how strategy gets done?Send me a message! I read them all.To learn more about The Persimmon Group:

Experience

1. President Strategy Execution and Pmo Leadership Consultant

   The Persimmon Group

   Feb 2020 — Present · US

   The Persimmon Group is an award-winning consulting firm that helps clients execute strategy with speed and discipline—without sacrificing trust, clarity, or culture.We work with organizations facing- Stalled or slow-moving strategic initiatives - Execution bottlenecks between teams and functions - PMOs that want to move at market speed - Leadership teams aligned on goals but unclear on next stepsWhat we help them do- Deliver initiatives faster—with clearer ownership and less drag - Focus teams on what matters most - Shift PMOs from traffic cops to strategic enablers - Speed up decision-making - Build execution systems that adapt as fast as the business doesWe pride ourselves on being \"anti-consultants.\" 1. We don\'t bill by the hour.2. We don\'t deliver 253-slide PowerPoints and leave.3. We don\'t make you dependent on us to sustain results.4. We don\'t rinse and recycle recommendations across our clients.Want to work with us? Visit or DM me directly on LinkedIn. I read every message.

Education

• Emory University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Near and Middle Eastern Studies

  2003 — 2007

Skills

• Social Networking
• Strategy
• Sdlc
• Management
• Team Building
• Pmp
• Leadership
• Project Planning
• Leadership Development
• Team Leadership
• Public Speaking
• Strategic Planning
• Project Management
• Training
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Business Analysis
• Management Consulting
• Project Delivery
• Business Process Improvement
• Microsoft Project
• Change Management
• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Event Planning
• Organizational Effectiveness
• Vendor Management
• Program Management
• Consulting