About Signal + Story

At Signal + Story, we fix what’s not working and then build what comes next. 

We’re brought in at every stage—when something doesn’t exist yet, when it’s not working, and when it’s ready to go further. 

When strategy or messaging isn’t there, we build it. 
When it exists but isn’t translating, we refine it. 
When it’s working, we strengthen and scale it. 

We step in when teams are misaligned, when growth outpaces direction, and when progress stalls—not to diagnose endlessly, but to create clarity and move things forward. 

We work across four core areas: 

  • Organizations — building and strengthening fundraising, marketing, and strategic systems that drive real results  

  • Leadership teams — solving culture and strategy challenges that stall momentum or create friction  

  • Teams — facilitating professional development and trainings that change how people actually work together  

  • Individuals — providing coaching and mentorship to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and direction  

We are fixers, problem-solvers, and option-generators. We don’t circle problems—we define them, break them down, and move quickly toward solutions that hold up in practice, not just on paper. 

Our work spans sectors—from established institutions to startups and growing companies—because the underlying issues are consistent: clarity, alignment, communication, and leadership. 

We work alongside you to cut through noise, make the hard calls, and build systems that create traction. Not short bursts of momentum—but progress you can sustain. 

At the center of our work: 
A signal — clear direction, grounded in integrity 
A story — the connection that brings people with you 

Both matter. Without direction, teams drift. Without connection, they stall. We bring both—so you can move forward with focus and confidence. And we partner with people who are serious about doing work that matters—and doing it well. 

Bethany Hardwig, Founder

Bethany O’Neill Hardwig is the Founder of Signal + Story, where she works with organizations, teams, and individuals to build what doesn’t exist, fix what isn’t working, and take strong work to the next level. 

With nearly two decades of experience across higher education, philanthropy, marketing, communication and organizational leadership, she is known for stepping into complex environments, quickly identifying what’s getting in the way, and creating clear, executable paths forward. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, messaging, culture, and leadership—where progress is often most difficult, and most vital. 

Bethany’s career began across admissions, marketing, advancement, and communications—experience that gives her a practical, end-to-end understanding of how organizations actually function, and where they break down under pressure. She has led teams, built programs from the ground up, navigated complex stakeholder environments, and delivered results in moments that required both speed and precision. 

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 focused on organizational learning and leadership and institutional effectiveness. 

At Signal + Story, she brings this depth of experience into an agile, high-trust consulting model—partnering closely with leaders to make decisions, align teams, and build systems that create real traction. Her work is grounded in clarity, integrity, and execution, helping people and organizations move forward with confidence—and sustain that momentum over time. 

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.