Lyndsey Olson highlights post-Army advisory role at Grey Matter Strategic Partners

Former St. Paul City Attorney and retired U.S. Army Colonel Lyndsey Olson is using more than two decades of legal, military and executive experience to advise leaders through Grey Matter Strategic Partners. Her profile highlights her work in crisis response, governance, risk and organizational change, along with her move from public service into consulting.

Why it matters: - Lyndsey Olson is positioning her experience in government, the military and law to help leaders handle crisis, risk and major transitions. - Her work reflects growing demand for strategic advisers who can guide organizations through governance challenges and public scrutiny. - Olson’s move from leading a large city law office to building a consulting business also shows how senior public-sector leaders are monetizing deep institutional expertise.

What happened: - Influential Women published a profile on Lyndsey Olson, co-founder and partner of Grey Matter Strategic Partners. - Olson is a former City Attorney for the City of St. Paul and retired U.S. Army Colonel. - The profile describes Olson as a strategic legal and leadership adviser serving mayors, CEOs, boards, executive teams, nonprofits and government organizations. - Olson now works through Grey Matter Strategic Partners as a strategic legal counsel, crisis adviser and thought partner. - Her profile links to her Influential Women page and her Grey Matter Strategic Partners bio.

The details: - Olson served eight years as City Attorney for St. Paul. - She led one of Minnesota’s largest public law offices and served as chief legal officer to the mayor and city council. - Olson managed more than 100 professionals and oversaw legal operations for one of Minnesota’s largest municipalities. - Her city role included guiding the city through complex litigation, public crises, policy reforms and major governance decisions. - Olson also helped build and scale public-safety and restorative-justice initiatives. - Before her municipal work, Olson held senior legal roles in the Minnesota National Guard, including General Counsel and Staff Judge Advocate for the 34th Infantry Division. - Olson was the first female General Counsel of the Minnesota National Guard. - She served 24 years in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps and retired in 2024 at the rank of Colonel. - Olson was a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and co-chaired and authored the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Review Board’s Findings and Recommendations Report. - Her education includes a B.A. in Philosophy, Law & Rhetoric from Stephens College, a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law, an LL.M. in Contract and Fiscal Law from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. - Olson’s LL.M. thesis was later published in The Army Lawyer. - She also trained in Human Systems Dynamics, a complexity-based approach to leadership and organizational change. - Olson’s recognition includes the In-House Counsel Award, two Attorney of the Year honors and a 40 Under 40 distinction.

Between the lines: - Olson’s profile emphasizes a leadership style built on discretion, practical judgment and implementation, not just strategy. - The consulting model aims to help leaders clarify strategy, strengthen governance, assess enterprise risk and respond to crises. - Her background suggests an advantage in settings where legal judgment, public accountability and operational reality collide. - The profile also frames entrepreneurship as a shift from managing a large public organization to running a small business with responsibilities across operations, technology and client development. - Olson sees government contracting and certifications tied to disabled veteran-owned and woman-owned business status as growth opportunities. - Her advice to young women in law centers on choosing work that matches interests and values rather than prestige alone. - The profile ties Olson’s service ethic to family military history, a tornado volunteer experience in southern Minnesota and years supporting military families and communities.

What's next: - Olson is continuing to build Grey Matter Strategic Partners as a cross-sector advisory firm for governments, nonprofits and businesses facing scrutiny, transition and strategic decisions. - Her profile says she will keep focusing on consulting, coaching, mentoring and board service. - The firm’s next phase appears centered on turning high-level advice into operational action for clients navigating uncertainty.

The bottom line: - Olson is turning a career in public law and military service into a consulting platform built around high-stakes judgment and execution.