Salt & Rally — Fractional COO & Operations Strategist for Hire
FRACTIONAL COO & OPERATIONS STRATEGIST
LEADERSHIP | SYSTEMS | MOMENTUM
HELPING ORGANIZATIONS & BUSINESSES TURN STRATEGY INTO EXECUTION.
You Know Where You Want to Go…
But Moving it Forward is the Hard Part.
You have ideas, opportunities, and important priorities. But the day-to-day keeps taking over, your team is pulled in different directions, and the work that could move your organization forward keeps getting pushed aside.
That’s where Salt & Rally comes in.
When Priorities Compete | We help you determine what matters most and create a clear path forward.
When the Team Lacks Alignment | We establish ownership, accountability, and practical ways of working together.
When Important Work Keeps Stalling | We provide the leadership and hands-on execution needed to move it forward.
You don’t need another plan sitting on a shelf. You need the leadership, systems, and momentum to turn your priorities into progress.
Salt & Rally works alongside you and your team to make that happen.
Our Programs & Partnerships
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LAUNCH
Founder Launch Partnership
A phased implementation partnership for founders building a business from the ground up. We build the foundation - systems, strategy, and operations - so you can launch with confidence and scale with intention. -
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DISCOVERY
Momentum Mapping Intensive
A focused assessment of your operations, systems, and priorities. We identify what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next - so you leave with clarity and a roadmap. -
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BUILD
Rally90
A 90-day business acceleration sprint. We prioritize what matters, implement key systems, and establish accountability to create momentum and measurable results. -
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GROW
Strategic Growth Partnership / Fractional COO Monthly Retainer
Ongoing executive-level partnership for organizations ready to scale. We serve as your fractional COO - providing leaderships, operational excellence, and strategic guidance to support sustainable growth. -
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IMPACT
Beyond the Grant
A six-month partnership for non-profits to strengthen leadership, improve operations, and increase long-term impact. We help mission-driven leaders build systems that sustain their work and amplify their reach. -
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Execute
Strategic Projects
Project-based consulting tailored to your specific needs - from website launches, process documentation, systems implementation, strategic planning, and more.
Proven Impact
$1M in Sponsorship Revenue
Helped lead the North Carolina Azalea Festival to its first $1 million sponsorship year while expanding partnerships, programming, and community impact.
250,000 Guests. 1,000+ Volunteers. 74 Committees.
Led the operational planning and execution of one of North Carolina's largest festivals by aligning staff, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and community partners toward
one shared vision.
Built Systems That Scale
Developed marketing, communication, sponsorship, and operational systems supporting 206,000+ website users, 633,000+ annual pageviews, and highly engaged audiences with email open rates exceeding industry averages.
Testimonial
“I first met Alison through the North Carolina Azalea Festival while exploring opportunities for REV to become involved.
At REV, we believe in building meaningful partnerships—not simply placing our logo on something and walking away.
From our very first meetings, Alison took the time to walk me through the festival’s events, its impact on the community, and the many ways organizations can get involved. More importantly, she truly listened. She wanted to understand REV’s mission and values so she could help identify opportunities
that were the right fit for us, rather than simply offering a sponsorship package.
Alison was always prepared, communicated clearly, and demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge about the festival and its community impact. She has a unique ability to dream big while remaining grounded in what is realistic and achievable. That balance, combined with her collaborative approach and genuine passion for connecting partners with purpose, made working with her an absolute pleasure.
I would highly recommend Alison to anyone looking for a thoughtful, strategic, and relationship-focused partner.”
How We Help
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Strategy & Leadership
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Operations & Systems
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Projects & Execution
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Governance & People
Meet Our
Founder & Principal Consultant
Alison Baringer
For more than 20 years, Alison Baringer helped lead one of North Carolina's largest and most recognized nonprofit organizations, including a decade as Executive Director of the North Carolina Azalea Festival.
She’s led million-dollar budgets, large teams, regional events, public-private partnerships, boards, volunteers, crises, and strategic initiatives.
Now she brings that same executive leadership to organizations that need experienced operational support without hiring another executive.
Former Executive Director of the North Carolina Azalea Festival
Oversaw 30+ annual events, with annual attendance of 250,000 guests
Supported $50 million in regional economic impact
Managed $2 million in annual budgets, including $1 million in sponsorship acquisition and retention
Led executive boards, staff, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, and community partners which included over 200 volunteer leaders, and 200+ sponsors
Past UNCW Alumni Board Chair and Commencement Platform Speaker
Past President of the Junior League of Wilmington, leading over 200 women volunteers
Past Chair of the International Festivals & Events Association Foundation Board
Alison’s career has been built around bringing people together, creating systems that work, and helping organizations achieve ambitious goals.
Known for balancing big-picture strategy with practical execution, Alison specializes in helping organizations create clarity, accountability, and momentum. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, transparency, and sustainable growth.
SALT Preserves. RALLIES Move People Forward.
Preserve what matters. Build momentum where it counts.
“The words Salt & Rally have deeper meaning for me. Salt represents my favorite quote by Isak Dinesen… ‘The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.’ For businesses, to me this means hard work, trust and vulnerability, and knowing and honoring your environment. Rally connects to my love of beach volleyball - where a rally is a continuous sequence of play. We say ‘good rally’ when both teams are fighting hard, playing well, and in the flow of the point. ”
— Alison Baringer, Founder