About Signal + Story

At Signal + Story, we help mission-driven teams move forward with purpose — bringing together practical strategy, resonant messaging, and leadership clarity to create lasting impact.

We specialize in transforming complexity into clarity and potential into progress. From philanthropic campaigns and institutional storytelling to team alignment and leadership development, we bring a sharp eye, a steady hand, and a deep belief in the power of people and purpose.

Our approach is rooted in curiosity and collaboration. We ask better questions, listen with care, and work alongside leaders to uncover what truly matters. And we don’t just ignite momentum — we build structures and strategies that sustain it, so your team can carry the work forward with confidence.

At the heart of everything:

A signal — your direction, your integrity, your core message.
A story — the emotional connection that brings people with you.

We show up with integrity, courage, and excellence — and we only work with partners who hold the same.

Let’s do work that matters, together.

Bethany Hardwig, Founder

Bethany O’Neill Hardwig is the Founder of Signal + Story, a firm dedicated to helping mission-driven organizations move through complexity with clarity, strategy, and purpose. With nearly two decades of leadership across higher education, philanthropy, and communications, she brings both depth of expertise and a reputation for building momentum where it matters most.

Before launching Signal + Story, Bethany served as Vice President of Alumni and Donor Connections at the North Dakota State University Foundation, where she restructured and led a newly formed division to expand engagement, advance philanthropic priorities, and help secure transformative investments. Earlier, at the University of Utah, she directed special projects and outreach, developing nationally recognized initiatives like Home Away From Home, strengthening alumni networks through high-profile events, and pioneering annual giving strategies that drove participation and deepened donor relationships.

Her career began in admissions, marketing, advancement, and communications — experiences that gave her a 360-degree understanding of how institutions and teams thrive when people and purpose align. Along the way, she has been recognized with awards for innovation, equity, and social responsibility, and has shared her expertise on national stages including CASE, Cause Camp, and the G-Force (by Gravyty) Conference.

Bethany holds a Master of Legal Studies from the University of Utah, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Geneva College, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Education at North Dakota State University with a focus on organizational learning, leadership, and institutional effectiveness.

At Signal + Story, she pairs this deep sector knowledge with an agile consulting model designed for impact — helping teams rise above staffing limitations, respond to emerging challenges, and carry their work forward with confidence. Grounded in integrity, transparency, curiosity, and excellence, Bethany partners with leaders to turn complexity into clarity and potential into progress.

Signal + Story Brand Imperatives

  • Integrity is our compass. We commit to work that aligns with purpose, holds steady under pressure, and builds trust that lasts. It is the throughline that ensures our strategies are not only effective but also honorable.

  • Transparency requires bravery — the courage to name what is true, simplify what is complex, and illuminate the path forward. By stepping into hard conversations with honesty, we create the conditions for real transformation.

  • We aim high not for perfection, but for progress. Curiosity fuels innovation; excellence ensures that insight becomes lasting impact. Together, they remind us that the best solutions are both rigorous and imaginative.