Ellen Williams
CEO at The Salient Strategist
Information Technology and Services
New York, NY, USA
Biography
Ellen Williams is the CEO of The Salient Strategist, with over 25 years of experience as a technology and business process consultant, speaker, and writer. Known for translating complex topics into clear, actionable insights, Ellen blends deep industry knowledge with a passion for continuous learning. She stays ahead of emerging trends, including sustainability and AI, to ensure her guidance and presentations are always relevant, timely, and impactful.
Ellen is also the host of Time To Press Pause: A Podcast for CEOs by CEOs. She interviews CEOs as they share their stories of when they needed to "press pause."
Ellen's presentations simplify complex concepts with analogies and stories in plain English rather than technology jargon. Ellen's focus is on the strategic alignment of business processes and technology platforms.
Past keynotes, workshops, and panels include NYC Social Media Week, NYxPO, and the Sage Software Partner Summit. Podcasts include Sustainable Minds, Shark Bite Biz Vodcast, Actionable ESG Talks, and The ESG Show. As a professional writer, Ellen's articles appear in top publications including Inc. Technology, Crain’s NY Business, and Forbes.
Passion
Technology doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Throughout my career, I’ve made it my mission to simplify technology for businesses of all sizes, helping them choose the right platforms, implement them smoothly, and ensure real adoption across teams.
My goal is to empower companies to use technology not just to operate better, but to do better for the planet.
Origin Story
My tech journey started in 1985 when a computer was plopped on my desk and I was told, “Learn it.” So I did. And I haven’t stopped since.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—avid tech user, teacher, writer, speaker, and advisor. What’s stayed consistent is my passion for making technology approachable. My presentations are always in plain English and packed with practical takeaways.
Early on, I spent my days speaking to small business groups and presenting at entrepreneur summits. That path led me to a regional leadership role at Constant Contact, where the audiences stayed the same, but the stages got a whole lot bigger.
Eventually, I returned to entrepreneurship as "The Data Chick," diving deeper into data, process, and systems. That work caught the eye of the CEO at Orion Global Solutions, where I created and led a new role: Director of Advisory Services. For five years, I helped clients bridge the gap between business goals and technology tools.
In 2024, I launched The Salient Strategist. We specialize in business analysis services that support SaaS implementations, process improvement, and AI readiness. Whether it’s uncovering inefficiencies, translating goals into system requirements, or leading discovery for digital transformation projects, The Salient Strategist brings structure and clarity to complex initiatives. After decades of guiding executive teams through big decisions, this business is the natural next step, and a way to put every lesson learned to work.
Most recently, I’ve added ESG and AI to my toolkit, two powerful areas where doing good and doing business go hand in hand. I help clients and audiences understand how to use technology not just to grow, but to grow responsibly.
Example talks
The ESG Show #11 - Measurement of ESG and Scopes 1, 2 and 3
How we can use data in our decision-making processes to ensure our ESG strategies are effective and authentic?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKKobRZRmrE
Shark Bite Biz Vodcast - Talking About Selecting Technology and Sustainability
Finding a new tech solution is tough. Trying to find one that also helps with your carbon footprint, tougher. Shark Bite Biz's David Strausser chats with fellow Forbes Business Development Council Member, Ellen Williams, chatting about the works she does selling SalesForce with Orion Global Solutions.
Sustainability and ESG in Corporate America
In this podcast, Actionable ESG™️ Talks series, brought to you by AKFI (Actionable Knowledge Foundation Institute), we discussed:
• A perspective on the current state of digital transformation and ESG
• How to transition by focusing on People, Process, Technology, Sustainability
• Sustainability and Scope 3 reporting challenges
• Governance for diversity
https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6954645476059099136/
How Remote Work Impacts DEI
In this webinar from Breaking the Glass, the panel of experts discusses how companies can use working remotely as a vehicle for creating greater diversity in their workforce.
Did You Know That? Podcast titled: What Do You Know About Data.
Ellen Williams doesn’t like wasting data. She knows the value contained in those bits and bytes, and she knows how to extract that value. (You don’t get the moniker, The Data Chick, for nothing.) On episode 2021:3 of Did You Know That? Ellen and I talk about data, what companies can do with it, and why they don't do anything with it (most of the time). The conversation is a good reminder that the service/product you produce isn’t the only valuable element of your business.
Featured Video
I am willing to travel
Up to 100 miles
When it comes to payments
I generally get paid for speaking but make exceptions
Topics
Origin Story
My tech journey started in 1985 when a computer was plopped on my desk and I was told, “Learn it.” So I did. And I haven’t stopped since.
Over the years, I’ve worn many hats—avid tech user, teacher, writer, speaker, and advisor. What’s stayed consistent is my passion for making technology approachable. My presentations are always in plain English and packed with practical takeaways.
Early on, I spent my days speaking to small business groups and presenting at entrepreneur summits. That path led me to a regional leadership role at Constant Contact, where the audiences stayed the same, but the stages got a whole lot bigger.
Eventually, I returned to entrepreneurship as "The Data Chick," diving deeper into data, process, and systems. That work caught the eye of the CEO at Orion Global Solutions, where I created and led a new role: Director of Advisory Services. For five years, I helped clients bridge the gap between business goals and technology tools.
In 2024, I launched The Salient Strategist. We specialize in business analysis services that support SaaS implementations, process improvement, and AI readiness. Whether it’s uncovering inefficiencies, translating goals into system requirements, or leading discovery for digital transformation projects, The Salient Strategist brings structure and clarity to complex initiatives. After decades of guiding executive teams through big decisions, this business is the natural next step, and a way to put every lesson learned to work.
Most recently, I’ve added ESG and AI to my toolkit, two powerful areas where doing good and doing business go hand in hand. I help clients and audiences understand how to use technology not just to grow, but to grow responsibly.
Example talks
The ESG Show #11 - Measurement of ESG and Scopes 1, 2 and 3
How we can use data in our decision-making processes to ensure our ESG strategies are effective and authentic?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKKobRZRmrE
Shark Bite Biz Vodcast - Talking About Selecting Technology and Sustainability
Finding a new tech solution is tough. Trying to find one that also helps with your carbon footprint, tougher. Shark Bite Biz's David Strausser chats with fellow Forbes Business Development Council Member, Ellen Williams, chatting about the works she does selling SalesForce with Orion Global Solutions.
Sustainability and ESG in Corporate America
In this podcast, Actionable ESG™️ Talks series, brought to you by AKFI (Actionable Knowledge Foundation Institute), we discussed:
• A perspective on the current state of digital transformation and ESG
• How to transition by focusing on People, Process, Technology, Sustainability
• Sustainability and Scope 3 reporting challenges
• Governance for diversity
https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6954645476059099136/
How Remote Work Impacts DEI
In this webinar from Breaking the Glass, the panel of experts discusses how companies can use working remotely as a vehicle for creating greater diversity in their workforce.
Did You Know That? Podcast titled: What Do You Know About Data.
Ellen Williams doesn’t like wasting data. She knows the value contained in those bits and bytes, and she knows how to extract that value. (You don’t get the moniker, The Data Chick, for nothing.) On episode 2021:3 of Did You Know That? Ellen and I talk about data, what companies can do with it, and why they don't do anything with it (most of the time). The conversation is a good reminder that the service/product you produce isn’t the only valuable element of your business.