advisor

Strategic advisor to CEOs, Executives, & Boards in accelerating growth and transformation

the challenge

As global business dynamics become more complex and connected, it is imperative for CEOs and boards to surround themselves with experienced executives to navigate the shifting business needs and challenges.

TRANSFORMATION

There is increased pressure on executives to grow and transform their organization delivering both near- and long-term profitability and shareholder value.

INNOVATION

A future-proof organization must have both ambidexterity and agility – the ability to run the business while also innovating and exploring new growth pathways.

LEADERSHIP

Competition for top talent remains fierce, and demand for experienced leaders severely outpaces supply.

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IS BUILT ON A STRONG FOUNDATION OF BUSINESS FUNDAMENTALS, BEGINNING WITH A CLEAR & COMPELLING STRATEGY AND TACTICAL EXECUTION PLAN THAT ALIGNS PEOPLE, ASSETS, AND RESOURCES AGAINST THE HIGHEST PRIORITY WORK THAT WILL DELIVER BOTH NEAR TERM VALUE AND LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Meet Greg

GREG IS A TRUSTED ADVISOR TO CEOS, EXECUTIVES, AND BOARDS OF DIRECTORS PARTNERING TO EFFECTIVELY GROW AND TRANSFORM

As a 3x company founder turned corporate executive and board member, he has extensive experience supporting and guiding companies and executives through business challenges. He is sought after for his unique blend of experience growing and digitally transforming public and private companies across a range of industries, including brand & retail, luxury fashion, sport, footwear & apparel, technology, health & fitness, and sustainability.

Greg’s partnership is built on two foundational principles:

TO GET BIGGER, WE MUST FIRST GET BETTER

What’s likely holding you back isn’t the shiny new market, channel, product, or technology you’re chasing. It’s the beautiful basics and business fundamentals; a clear and compelling business strategy, a prioritized and appropriately resourced execution plan, an organizational ability to leverage data to make better, faster, & smarter decisions, an all-star team of executives poised to lead and inspire, and a company culture that encourages learning, growth, and innovation.

15% KNOWING WHAT TO DO + 85% GETTING IT DONE

While it’s vital to strategize and execute on your priorities, knowing what to do, and how to get it done are two wildly different skills. Navigating interpersonal conflict, organizational dynamics, and influencing others to become part of the change you are driving are refined skills that take decades to develop.

Greg’s strategic advisory work is built around three primary building blocks:

Strategy & Growth

  1. Strategy creation

  2. Prioritization framework

  3. Goal setting & performance tracking

  4. Brand refinement & storytelling

  5. Growth strategy and levers

  6. Go To Market implementation

Transformation
& Innovation

  1. Rallying teams to drive transformation

  2. Building a culture of innovation and exploration

  3. Capability benchmarking

  4. Technology to optimize & grow

  5. Data, analytics, and insights for better, faster, & smarter decision-making

  6. Upgrading & scaling culture, operations, & processes

Leadership
& Culture

  1. Building All-Star leadership teams

  2. Talent coaching and development

  3. Succession planning and optimal organizational size & structure

  4. Talent analyses to ensure optimal balance of the right people, right skills, right role, right time

  5. Retaining top talent through increased employee satisfaction and engagement

Greg’s services include:

1. STRATEGIC ADVISORY

Through ongoing hands on strategic and operational support

2. WORKSHOP SESSIONS

Guiding teams through a collaborative process to strategize, prioritize, plan, innovate, and execute

3. executive coaching

To help leaders become the best version of themselves both personally and professionally

4. board member

To steer an organization and executive team through the complexity and ambiguity of a business transformation

TESTIMONIALS

  • Debra Langley, Venture Partner at Lyra Ventures

    “Greg is a force of nature in the world of transformation. His career is a masterclass in building, running, and evolving companies across a diverse range of industries, from cutting-edge tech to sustainable energy to iconic apparel brands. Throughout this incredible journey, Greg has honed a unique expertise at the intersection of strategy, innovation, technology, and partnerships. Beyond his ability to drive bottom line performance, at his core, Greg possesses a level of empathy and commitment to leadership rarely seen in business today.”

  • Elsie Merrill (Greg’s Mom), Chief Mama Bear at My House

    “Greg is an absolute gem – kind, hardworking, and always quick to help others. I’ve watched him turn challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality with unwavering determination. I couldn’t be prouder to call him my son and to witness the incredible impact he’s making in the world. And no matter how big he gets, I’ll always be there to remind him to clean his room and eat his veggies.”

  • Michael Newton, CEO of Qorium & former VP Digital Product Creation at Nike

    “Greg is a pleasure to work with. His fun, engaging and enlightening approach successfully tackles tough problems. His authentic leadership rallies diverse teams and cuts through complexity in large organizations. Greg ensures strategic clarity and alignment but, most importantly, actually gets sh*t done. It’s a rare and valuable combination. " 

  • Mike Amato, Executive Coach, Author, & Former Board Member of Santander UK and Tandem Bank

    “Greg has been successful at every step of his career. He's experienced, super-smart and fluent in leveraging innovation and technology for business outcomes. Most importantly, he inspires trust that shatters the walls of silos by always putting the organization's purpose over any personal agenda. This refreshing...and all too rare...capability allows him to consistently deliver for companies he works with.”

  • Greg Larkin, CEO & Founder of Punks & Pinstripes

    “Greg Merrill is a powerhouse of empathy, strategy, innovation, transformation, and inspiration. He is as adept in the boardroom with 5 people as he is on stage with 5000 people. He has a unique combination of strategic vision and ‘get things done’ execution. And he’s one of the nicest people on Earth, he’s exactly what he looks like: the warmest smile from a man who bench presses 300 pounds.”

  • Susan Newman, Senior Vice President at National Retail Federation

    “Greg was a great speaker on our mainstage! His breadth of knowledge brings a variety of unique aspects to the stage and is a big attendance driver. He was a pleasure to work with and excelled at customizing his presentation around the unique needs of our audience. I would highly recommend adding him to any agenda!!”

  • Dr. Annahita Nezami, CEO at EarthScapeVR

    “It's rare to find someone as humble, adventurous, curious, engaging, and honest as Greg. Since 2017, I've wanted Greg on EarthscapeVR’s Board, and I was persistent until he agreed. I am glad it worked out! Working with Greg has truly been a game-changer for our company. His insights as a strategic advisor have fueled significant growth and transformation. Greg is not only someone I deeply respect and admire, but he's also one of the most engaging individuals I know. His talks are inspirational, high-energy, and packed with actionable lessons on both winning and failure, leaving a lasting impact on everyone in the room. Greg is an invaluable asset as a colleague, friend, and advisor—everyone needs someone like him on their team.”

let’s work together