As the company moved from early stage toward growth, the work expanded considerably.

SALT's role

SALT worked with CABN to structure major funding initiatives, translating business priorities into defined programs, partnerships, deliverables and measurable outcomes.

The engagement also provided a close view into the operational requirements of the growing company and the infrastructure that would be needed to support its next stage.

That work ultimately led CABN to ask SALT founder Alex Kelly to join the company full-time as Chief Operating Officer and a member of its Board of Directors, overseeing the corporate venture as well as CABN’s not-for-profit, the CABN Foundation.

From advisor to operator

As COO, Alex became responsible for building much of the operating infrastructure required to move CABN from start-up toward growth stage.

Her remit spanned operations, organizational development, communications, governance, digital infrastructure, government relations, strategic partnerships, and program execution.

Over her tenure, CABN grew its team, established internal policies and governance structures, developed relationships across multiple levels of government, advanced its manufacturing and operating capabilities, and closed a major venture-capital-led financing round.

Why it matters to SALT

CABN is an unusual SALT engagement because the advisory work ultimately became an executive role.

It is also an important part of how SALT works today. The experience of moving from outside advisor to the person accountable for execution reinforced a simple principle: recommendations only matter if they work inside the realities of the business.

SALT's work is built with that standard in mind.