Services
SMG Strategies operates at the intersection of strategy, governance, and execution—helping organizations in regulated environments translate complexity into coordinated action.
Strategy Execution & Operating Models
Strategy does not fail in design. It fails in execution.
We help organizations ensure that strategic intent is reflected in how the business actually operates—through decision-making structures, incentives, and performance systems.
Our work includes:
- Translating strategy into executable operating models
- Aligning cross-functional decision-making
- Designing performance measurement and governance systems
- Building implementation roadmaps that drive real outcomes
Compliance as a Strategic Capability
Compliance is not just a control function—it is a system that shapes organizational behavior.
We help organizations move beyond reactive compliance toward integrated systems that:
- Anticipate regulatory risk
- Align incentives with desired outcomes
- Strengthen organizational reliability and resilience
This includes:
- Compliance operating model design
- Risk and control alignment
- Post-event learning and root cause integration
- Regulatory strategy alignment
Regulatory Navigation & Risk Alignment
Operating in regulated markets requires more than compliance—it requires strategic navigation.
We support organizations in:
- Interpreting complex regulatory frameworks
- Aligning internal strategy with external requirements
- Developing credible, regulator-facing narratives
- Managing multi-stakeholder environments
Our experience includes work across:
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)
- North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)
- California ISO (CAISO)
- Southwest Power Pool (SPP)
- Western utility regulatory environments (state commissions, including CPUC and CEC)
How We Engage
We don’t deliver static plans.
We partner with leadership teams to:
- Diagnose where execution breaks down
- Align stakeholders around a shared direction
- Design systems that sustain performance over time
Engagements can include:
Targeted problem-solving for high-stakes challenges
Advisory and strategic design
Embedded support during implementation
ABOUT SMG STRATEGIES
SMG Strategies was founded by Sarah Garcia, a strategy and regulatory leader with over 20 years of experience in the energy sector, including leadership roles at California ISO and NextEra Energy Resources.
The firm brings a systems-level perspective to strategy—connecting high-level direction with the operational realities that determine success.
If you’re navigating complexity, regulatory pressure, or execution challenges, you don’t need a long proposal. You need clarity.
Let’s start there.