In 2024, Gallery Carts, a fast-growing company based in Denver, Colorado, entered a critical phase of transition. The company was shifting from a family-run business to a growth-focused organization, all while managing the delivery of its largest client project to date. On top of this, they were navigating multiple executive transitions, making it essential to maintain operational continuity and keep the business moving forward.

Dan Gallery, President of Gallery Carts, recognized the need for extra support to manage the growing workload and ensure key initiatives stayed on track. He sought an interim Chief of Staff to help with strategic project management, executive team coordination, and keeping operations running smoothly.

We evaluated our roster of expert Chief of Staff and identified Ashley as a great match for Dan’s needs. After matching Ashley with Gallery Carts, she quickly embedded herself into the organization. She began by conducting an in-depth assessment of the business and establishing an operating framework to bring alignment across the leadership team. As her role expanded, she took on three critical areas of responsibility:

• Cross-Team Executive Support:
  Ashley served as the main point of contact across various teams, ensuring operational issues were addressed promptly. She led the integration of a new product team, managed the Operations team during a key leader's absence, and provided interim executive support for the President while they were out of the office. Additionally, she documented key lessons from the company’s largest client project, ensuring future initiatives would benefit from these insights.

• New Product Implementation:
  Ashley played a crucial role in overseeing the ramp-up of new hires as they adapted to Gallery Carts' systems and processes. She project-managed the integration of a new product line across business units, ensuring critical milestones were met and the teams stayed on track.

• Strategic Planning Support:
  She assisted in executive recruitment during this transitional phase and provided key support in the company’s annual planning process. Ashley also helped organize leadership offsites and contributed to updates in the organizational structure, ensuring it aligned with Gallery Carts’ growth strategy.

Ashley’s expanded role as interim Chief of Staff was instrumental in stabilizing and advancing Gallery Carts during this crucial transition period. Her focus on operational excellence and cross-functional leadership ensured that the business not only maintained momentum but also capitalized on growth opportunities despite the organizational shifts.

Key outcomes included:

• Seamless Employee Ramp-Up: Under Ashley’s leadership, new hires were integrated swiftly and efficiently, allowing the team to meet critical business targets amidst significant onboarding.

• Operational Stability: The company maintained productivity across key areas, particularly in Operations, despite the absence of senior leadership during executive leave.

• Strategic Progress: By overseeing new product implementations, managing executive transitions, and driving strategic planning, Ashley ensured that Gallery Carts stayed on course with its growth trajectory and operational priorities.

• Documented Insights for Future Success: Ashley’s documentation of key lessons learned from the intense client delivery period provided a valuable roadmap for future projects, setting the stage for continuous improvement and long-term success.

Ultimately, Ashley’s leadership and strategic focus during her interim role provided the stability and continuity Gallery Carts needed to navigate this period of transformation. Her efforts ensured that critical initiatives remained on track, allowing the business to thrive despite the challenges posed by executive transitions and heightened operational demands.