FROM WEST VIRGINIA ROOTS TO GLOBAL IMPACT
M ore than three decades ago,
Julie Smith co-founded CLG, a
West Virginia – based firm that grew into a premier behavior-based strategy execution consultancy serving global organizations across oil and gas, banking, transportation, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The firm earned a reputation for solving one of the most persistent problems organizations face: turning good strategies into daily habits, especially on the frontline.
“ As a consultant, I saw the same pattern everywhere,” Smith says.“ Organizations had smart strategies and talented people, but execution broke down where mission-critical behaviors weren’ t consistently supported.”
Client feedback consistently confirmed that the methods Smith and her colleagues pioneered were highly effective— but often perceived as overly complex. Clients wanted a simpler solution: one that translated the core principles into a digital platform, enabling them to manage and sustain vital behaviors themselves at scale.
That vision led Julie to found Performance Ally, where she serves as CEO, and to develop Ally Assist— an enterprise platform that mirrors the essentials of CLG’ s consulting approach and makes it easier for organizations to turn missioncritical behaviors into daily habits.
“ With advances in artificial intelligence, we can now monitor behavior patterns and deliver timely nudges and reinforcement at the individual level,” Smith says.“ By digitizing our method, we can scale behavior change in ways no consulting firm ever could.”
Performance Ally’ s mission is not only professional but also deeply personal. After Smith’ s husband suffered brain damage during a routine surgery and her son later died due to medication errors, she confronted a painful truth: much of the harm in health care is preventable and rooted in human behavior failures.
“ I realized the only way I could live with that loss was to do something about it,” Smith says.“ My work became about helping care teams reliably do what they already know is right.”
After meeting Bruce Sparks— former business advisor for the West Virginia Jobs Investment Trust( WVJIT)— who then introduced her to Guy Peduto who helped her explore funding opportunities within West Virginia, Smith was inspired to connect with WVJIT’ s West Virginia Capital Access Program( WVCAP) as a source of support for her business.
“ Bruce later joined my advisory board and became a close colleague,” Smith says.“ Guy was an early champion of our behavior-based execution approach and immediately recognized how it could help leaders across many industries drive consistent behaviors at scale.”
Smith emphasizes WVJIT’ s role in the company’ s development, saying it has been a genuinely collaborative partner. When making decisions, Performance Ally is transparent with WVJIT which then offers valuable guidance. As Performance Ally continues to grow, Smith says WVJIT has shown continued support.
“ WVJIT backed us when the risk was real and the upside was still theoretical,” Smith notes.“ That kind of partnership sends a powerful signal that West Virginia is serious about innovation.”
Smith says through working with the WVCAP, Performance Ally was able to
( 304) 216-6001 | jsmith @ performanceally. com | performanceally. com