Frequently asked questions
Working with Isthmus
What does Isthmus Advisory do?
Isthmus Advisory focuses on the people and process side of AI. BCG's research shows that's about 70% of what makes AI work, with technology, data and algorithms making up the rest. In practice, that means aligned leaders, managers who can bring their teams along, people with the skills to work differently, and processes built for AI rather than bolted onto it.
Who do you typically work with?
I work across three groups: executives, HR and people leaders, and managers. AI adoption holds when all three are aligned, so I rarely work with just one.
How is this different from hiring a large consultancy?
Most consultancies split the technical work and the people work across different teams. I do both. I'm well versed on the technical side and work directly with your IT and product teams, and my Master's in Psychology of Leadership shapes how I bring people through the change. The build and the adoption are designed together, so nothing falls through the gap.
Do you work remotely or on-site?
Both. I'm based in Madison, Wisconsin, and most of my work happens remotely. I come on-site when being in the room matters, like leadership workshops, kickoffs or manager training.
Engagements
Where should we start if we're not sure what we need?
Start with the AI Readiness Snapshot. It takes about five minutes and gives you an honest read across leadership alignment, workforce readiness, process and data foundation, and tools and governance. If you want to talk it through afterward, book a conversation. If I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you.
What's included in the AI Transformation Partnership, and how long does it run?
It combines executive coaching, hands-on tool building and manager enablement. I work with your leadership team, help with the build, train the managers, and stay through execution. This engagement starts with a three-month minimum, because adoption takes longer than a pilot.
Can we hire you for a single project?
Yes. Targeted AI Accelerators are standalone, fixed-fee projects. Examples include maturity assessments, use-case deep dives, process reengineering, competency frameworks and executive coaching. Every project is scoped to your timeline and budget, and the proposal spells out what's included and what isn't.
What does Executive Coaching look like?
Leading through AI-driven change asks a lot of you personally, and most leaders are doing it without anyone to advise them and thought partner with. Executive Coaching is one-on-one support for that. Together we look at how you lead, how you communicate the change, how you make decisions when the answers aren't clear yet, and how you take care of yourself and your team along the way.
How do you price engagements?
Projects are fixed-fee and scoped after an initial conversation, so you know the full cost and deliverables before we start. Retainers are billed monthly in advance.
AI and adoption
Do we need to have chosen our AI tools already?
No. Some clients come to me before they've picked anything, and others come after a rollout has stalled. Either way, the first step is understanding how your people actually work and what problems you're trying to solve. That shapes which tools make sense.
Do you build the tools, or just advise?
Both. I build agents and workflows with your team so they fit how the work really gets done, and I train the people who'll own them once I'm gone.
What happens after the engagement ends?
You keep everything I build, including the tools, frameworks and playbooks. Your managers are trained to keep it going without me.