This quote from The Little Prince reminds us that hope alone is not enough. Vision needs direction, and direction needs a plan.
At Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, we work with leaders across sectors who feel stuck, even as they are driven by purpose. When funding dries up, the market shifts, or team momentum fades, a real, adaptable plan makes all the difference.
Why Strategic Planning Matters Now More than Ever
Economic instability. Competitive disruption. Staff burnout.
Today’s leaders in nonprofits, businesses, government, and health initiatives are navigating complex terrain. But it’s not just about what went wrong. It is about how to move forward intentionally.
The solution isn’t moving faster. It’s pausing to plan smarter, with tools and insights that align with your values, data, and goals and help from a strategic planner.
Hope Is Not a Strategy, but It’s a Good Place to Start
We all crave meaningful work. The kind that inspires and energizes. But when uncertainty sets in, hope can only carry you so far.
The Four Agreements offer a strong foundation:
- Be impeccable with your word.
- Don’t take things personally.
- Don’t make assumptions.
- Always do your best.
To bring these principles to life in your organization, you need more than intention. You need a strategic roadmap built around evidence and action.
Our Approach: Custom Planning with Real-World Results
Strategic planning is not paperwork, or at least it shouldn’t be. Too often, plans sit unread in binders.
That is not our approach.
At Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, we guide organizations through tailored, data-informed planning processes that result in actionable, measurable strategies. We bring deep expertise in:
- Community Development and Public Health
- Nonprofit Strategy and Equity
- Food Access and Social Impact
- Research, Facilitation, and Data Storytelling
Every project is customized; no templates, no fluff. Just meaningful work that reflects your mission and addresses real-world conditions.
Facing Your SWOTs? Let’s Talk Strategy
Clients often reach out to us feeling a sense of urgency, like they need to act, but they are not sure where to begin.
We help assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) and design a strategic plan rooted in your reality, not assumptions.
As J.R.R. Tolkien said, “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.”
Smart strategy means planning with the dragon in mind.
Strategic Planning Is One of Our Many Strengths
From leading a $75-million grocery initiative to guiding national nonprofits and policy teams, we have helped clients navigate major transitions and scale their impact.
Our difference? We don’t just understand strategy; we live in the data, systems, and values that make it work.
When your environment shifts, your plan should adapt, not sit on a shelf.
Let’s Build a Better Future Together
We are here to help you create a strategic plan that works, is grounded in data, is responsive to change, and is aligned with your mission.
Ready to move forward with a purpose? Contact us today to explore how strategic planning can help change your world.
Who is Mari Gallagher?
Mari Gallagher, founder and principal of Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, is a nationally recognized expert in food access, grocery market analysis, hyperlocal data modeling, and community health impacts. She popularized the term “food desert,” helped motivate billions in federal investment into underserved areas, and continues to shape public policy and on-the-ground programs nationwide.
