I’m Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO specialising in Strategy Alignment.
I fix what no one is looking at — the structural causes of friction that quietly drain time and revenue.
Your strategy looks solid. Your teams are busy.
But growth is stalling, priorities clash, and progress doesn’t compound.That’s strategy–execution misalignment — and it’s costly.
Research shows misalignment between teams can drain 10 – 25 % of revenue and delay almost half of launches.
I help scaling and pivoting companies surface the misalignment, fix it, and rebuild momentum, so strategy stops leaking value between functions.

Phase 1: Diagnose
Sharp questions. Fast insight. Spot the root issue.Phase 2: Align & Simplify
Reset priorities. Remove friction. Create clarity.Phase 3: Execute with Flow
Act in sync. Stay focused. Build momentum.
I help turn business plans into operational reality
What You Get
Clarity on priorities and trade-offs
Smoother decision-making
Faster execution
Fewer dropped balls and misfires
More traction where it counts
Reduced founder/exec burnout
Sharper team accountability
Clear roles, less duplication
Better internal communication
Ops that match your business stage
…and less firefighting every week
Different companies need different levels of support.
From a fast diagnosis to full leadership, these offers meet you where you are.
Choose the depth of support that fits your current needs

Turn alignment into execution and momentum
I step in as a Fractional COO, Strategy Alignment to correct and operationalise strategy, align teams, and build a working rhythm that compounds momentum.
When choices stay sharp and people lead through clarity, growth starts flowing again.
Cross-functional planning and delivery that keeps choices intact
Decision support for execs and a simple operating rhythm
Leadership continuity through change
You get: aligned execution, steadier weekly leadership routine, and leadership that sustains momentum.
Senior judgment that keeps decisions coherent while you scale without adding process overhead.
We focus on the key decisions that drive everything else — what to do next, what to stop, and what sequence makes sense.
You get sharper choices, cleaner updates, and a leadership rhythm that sticks.
Board/investor prep and focused working sessions
Faster closes, fewer re-opened decisions, cleaner updates
Slack + video calls for ongoing momentum


Find what’s out of sync and how to fix it — across strategy/execution or investor story
Whether you’re tuning your growth strategy or preparing to raise, audits reveal the few corrections that change the trajectory.
One short process, tangible clarity, immediate next steps.
Strategy-execution audit: decisions, ownership, operating rhythm, GTM, metrics
Investor-readiness audit: narrative, signals, data-room essentials
Clear report, priority fixes, and risks mitigations
You get: clarity on what’s off-track and a prioritized roadmap to correct it.
Need quick clarity on a strategic issue?
This is a focused 60-minute working session to unpack what’s blocking movement and identify your next steps.This is direct, actionable thinking on your real issue.
Bring a challenge and walk away with clearer structure, language, or decisions.
Diagnose the blocker
Structure the path forward
Concrete actions you can take now
Not sure what fits?
Let’s talk it through. I’m happy to help you choose the right level of support.
I am Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO specialising in Strategy Alignment. I work with founders and CEOs of scaling or pivoting companies to tighten strategy, align operating models, and lead execution so decisions stick.
"Even during downturns, Marina adapts fast, keeps the team motivated, and delivers high quality work."
"Honest, smart, and unafraid of hard conversations. Marina brings real leadership."
Calm clarity in complex situationsMy background spans international markets, ad hoc strategic initiatives, and system-level change often where there’s no playbook. From think tanks to investor readiness to expansion planning, I help companies realign priorities, connect the dots across teams, and move forward decisively.Where others see complexity, I see patterns. My strength is in distilling what matters and turning it into clear, aligned action: from high-level strategy to the operational day-to-day.I work with founders, functional leaders, and transformation teams navigating strategy–execution friction in times of growth, change, or restructuring.

Need fast insight?
Get in touch today
Book a discovery call or send a message using the form below and I will get back to you shortly.
"She uncovered the real issue in my business, and it was not what I thought."
"Her analytical approach helped define painful points in my business."
When momentum slows, it’s often a translation problem. The strategy exists, but key choices aren’t sharp enough, aren’t sequenced, or aren’t reflected in how work runs.
You see what should happen next but can’t get the motion right. That’s where embedded leadership comes in.I start by tightening the strategy — what we’re betting on, what we’re not, how we’ll know — and then embed the leadership to make that strategy real day-to-day.I step in as your Fractional COO, Strategy Alignment to correct and operationalise strategy — clarifying choices, aligning the operating model, and leading the operating rhythm so the plan holds under pressure. This isn’t reports or PMO busywork; it’s strategy leadership expressed through execution.As a fractional leader, I focus on re-architecting the structural causes of friction that others aren’t looking at — so the business can finally run the way it was meant to deliver.
Strategic choices become explicit, prioritised, and defended (fewer “yes, and…” lists).
Bets are sequenced; resources and calendars reflect strategy, not noise.
Decisions close faster and stay closed because non-goals are clear.
Metrics, plans, and board updates tell one coherent story tied to the strategy.
Leadership bandwidth returns to direction, not re-coordinating work.
Teams grow more self-directed and accountable as clarity spreads through leadership layers.
We begin by sharpening the strategy as it will be executed: the few bets that matter, the non-goals, the leading indicators.
We translate that into an operating model — decision rights, planning rhythm, meeting design, and a simple cross-functional operating rhythm.
Then I embed with your leaders to run it: make choices, keep sequence, surface risks early, and maintain momentum without piling on process.
Because alignment isn’t just structural — it’s human. Making strategy operational means helping people understand it, own it, and lead through it.
Because companies don’t need a new framework — they need a leader who can do both: tighten the strategy and run the system that makes it stick.My edge is that combination: strategy craft, plus the operating discipline to make it hold across Product, GTM, Finance, and People.
Founders and CEOs of scaling or pivoting tech companies who won’t outsource strategy — they want a partner who sharpens it and then leads to deliver it, without a premature full-time hire.
Strategy sounds right but generates too many “top priorities.”
Teams are busy, yet work isn’t sequenced against clear bets.
Metrics don’t reflect the strategy’s logic; updates feel like three different stories.
Decisions reopen because non-goals and ownership aren’t explicit.
If this sounds familiar, we’ll start with a short fit call to see where alignment is breaking and what would make the biggest difference first.
"Marina successfully organized all stages of a complex project, from roadmap to launch. She created a cooperative team culture and delivered under uncertainty."
Sometimes the real constraint isn’t capacity — it’s clarity.
You already have a capable team, but the logic behind choices keeps blurring as the company scales.
Priorities multiply, decisions reopen, and the narrative between strategy, numbers, and people starts to drift.
That’s when you need structured outside judgment — someone who can see across functions, connect the dots, and help you decide what truly matters.Advisory gives you strategy-level partnership on tap.It’s for founders and CEOs who don’t need another operator in the room but want a sounding board with strategic and operational depth — a thinking partner who sharpens choices, protects momentum, and strengthens leadership discipline without adding headcount.In practice, that means surfacing and re-architecting the unseen loops and decisions that slow momentum.
Strategic choices become sharper and more defensible.
Leadership meetings shift from updates to true decisions.
The company narrative, metrics, and proof points align for board or investor discussions.
You stop firefighting symptoms and start correcting root causes.
Advisory is a structured rhythm of live strategic sessions, async follow-up, and decision checkpoints.
We focus on the key questions that cascade through everything else: what to do next, what to stop, and what sequence makes sense.
Between sessions, I stay connected enough to keep context — so decisions stay closed and progress compounds.
Because context-rich judgment outperforms generic advice.
Advisory gives you access to senior strategic perspective that blends business model logic, weekly leadership routine, and execution reality. It’s how you turn complexity back into clarity.
Founders and CEOs of scaling or pivoting tech companies navigating growth, restructuring, or funding cycles — where the cost of a few misaligned decisions is higher than the cost of an extra hire.
You need sharper alignment before a board meeting or investor raise.
Strategy feels right, but execution energy is scattered.
Leadership bandwidth is stretched thin by decision churn.
If you need a clear head in the room — someone who can see the system and sharpen the call — let’s talk and see whether advisory rhythm or embedded leadership is the right fit.
"Marina touched on all the pain points of my business and asked the right questions to help me tackle them. Thank you for the great session."
"Truly transformative”
"Marina is very knowledgeable and direct with her feedback. I loved our sessions - it brought clarity in direction and a great perspective in priorities. Her positive attitude and genuine feedback is rare to have and exactly what I am looking for!"
You can sense when something’s off — the numbers don’t match the effort, or investor calls feel lukewarm — but it’s hard to see where the misalignment starts. Audits are short, focused diagnostics that reveal the few strategic and structural corrections that will unlock traction again.Each audit brings outside clarity to inside complexity.
They’re not theory; they’re practical strategy diagnostics that connect high-level intent with what’s really happening day-to-day.
Designed for scaling or pivoting teams whose execution feels busy but disconnected from strategy.
It shows how clearly your choices translate into operating reality — where drift happens, what’s missing, and what to fix first.My focus is re-architecting the hidden structures that keep progress from turning into delivery.
A clear picture of how strategic intent turns (or fails to turn) into execution.
Identification of gaps in sequencing, ownership, and cross-functional flow.
3–5 high-impact corrections that immediately improve decision speed and traction.
A short read-out session to walk through insights and next moves.
Built for founders preparing to raise, re-raise, or understand why traction isn’t converting into investor confidence.
It aligns strategy, story, and proof points — showing whether the logic that drives your business shows up in your data and narrative.
A crisp view of how investors read your signals: what’s clear, what’s confusing, what’s missing.
A set of fixes that strengthen credibility and flow between deck, data, and delivery.
A tangible plan to turn meetings into momentum.
“Helped us cut through the noise and refocus.”
Because misalignment hides in plain sight — between decks and dashboards, between plans and meetings, between what leaders say and what teams act on.
A short, structured external view connects those dots fast, so you can focus on the right correction instead of new initiatives.
Founders and CEOs of growth-stage or mid-size companies who feel traction slipping, messaging losing power, or investor questions circling the same gaps.
If you’re unsure where progress is leaking — in strategy, in execution, or in how you present it — start with an audit.
It’s the fastest way to get an honest view of what’s truly blocking momentum.
“Marina was incredibly helpful in building a solid story around our startup. Definitely a great hire.”
I am Marina Lukyanova, Fractional COO specialising in Strategy Alignment for scaling and pivoting companies.
I translate strategy into the way your business runs and consistently delivers.
I fix what no one is looking at — the structural causes of friction that quietly drain time and revenue.
"Even during downturns, Marina adapts fast, keeps the team motivated, and delivers high quality work."
"Honest, smart, and unafraid of hard conversations. Marina brings real leadership."
Calm clarity in complex situationsMy background spans international markets, ad hoc strategic initiatives, and system-level change often where there’s no playbook. From think tanks to investor readiness to expansion planning, I help companies realign priorities, connect the dots across teams, and move forward decisively.Where others see complexity, I see patterns. My strength is in distilling what matters and turning it into clear, aligned action: from high-level strategy to the operational day-to-day.I work with founders, functional leaders, and transformation teams navigating strategy–execution friction in times of growth, change, or restructuring.
Tailored by design
Every project is different and I don’t bring a template. I build strategy with context and co-create clarity with your team.
"Offering precise strategies and insights"
Calm in high-pressure moments
I’m often brought in when stakes are high, things feel fuzzy, or teams are stretched thin. My role is to stabilize, synthesize, and restore momentum.
"Thank you for showcasing incredible leadership."
"Companies need more leaders like Marina"
Focused and empathic
I lead with precision and care. I don’t micromanage. I create conditions where people can perform at their best and grow into what’s next.
"Her advice is logical, her thinking clear "
"You're an amazing human."
Fluent in complexity
Having lived and worked across multiple countries and languages, I know how to adapt to different mindsets, power dynamics, and organizational rhythms.
"Insightful, attentive, and skilled at breaking down complexity."

"She uncovered the real issue in my business, and it was not what I thought."
"Her analytical approach helped define painful points in my business."
Let’s explore how alignment can unlock traction for your team:
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