It all started with a spiky shrub…
When I decided to begin a consulting practice in 2024, after nearly twenty years of working with mission-driven organizations and startups, I spent weeks stuck on what to call it.
It was summer, and my garden was in full bloom. One afternoon, I sat on the deck looking out at a backyard that, six years earlier, had been nothing more than an overgrown blank slate. When we first moved in, I knew nothing about gardening. As eager as I was to start sowing seeds and building beds, I realized I couldn’t grow anything new until I dealt with what was already there. That realization mirrors what I’ve seen repeatedly in organizations: growth stalls when the underlying systems are tangled, unclear, or neglected.
That first fall, I spent nearly every free moment pulling weeds by hand. The work was repetitive and hard on my body, but unexpectedly joyful. I found myself eager to return to it, night after night, hands in the dirt, slowly clearing space.
When I finally began planting garden beds the following spring, one of the first plants I grew successfully, and prolifically, from seed was anise hyssop (a·nuhs hi·suhp).
It doesn’t feel coincidental that anise hyssop has long been valued for its healing properties. Gardening, flowers, and plants have been deeply restorative for me, and the philosophies drawn from nature—patience, stewardship, and long-term care—inform how I approach consulting.
I know the work it takes to clear out a mess, establish strong foundations, and sow new seeds with care—adjusting when something doesn’t take, and nurturing what does. That process is what I enjoy most, in gardening and in work, and it’s what I help my clients do.
Hyssop Advisory is rooted in the belief that financial systems don’t have to be overwhelming or opaque. With care, structure, and clear communication, they can become a source of stability-supporting better decisions, stronger organizations, and work that lasts.
Meet the Founder
I’m Hanna Zahory, the founder of Hyssop Advisory. I have nearly 20 years of experience working alongside nonprofit leaders and small business owners.
Most of my career has been spent inside mission-driven organizations supporting organizational leadership through periods of growth, transition, and complexity. I’ve worked across accounting, finance, and operations, often stepping into environments where systems needed to be cleaned up, rebuilt, or created from scratch.
I’m known for being a clear communicator who can translate complex financial information info language leaders actually understand and can act on. I care about accuracy and compliance, but I never lose sight of the human realities behind numbers.
Today, I consult part-time while also building a parallel career as a florist. Both practices are rooted in the same philosophy: careful stewardship, thoughtful design, and creating structures that allow good work to flourish.
How I Work
Clarity
Financial information should support decision making, not obscure it. I focus on building systems and reports that are accurate, well-organized, and easy to understand—so leaders can see what’s happening and respond with confidence.
Creativity
I approach financial systems as design challenges-balancing compliance with practical flexibility. I think beyond one-size-fits-all solutions, adapting processes to fit your organization rather than forcing your organization to fit the process.
Intention
Every engagement is shaped by context. I take the time to understand your mission, constraints, and goals, and tailor solutions accordingly. If an existing process or system is working well, I won’t override it for the sake of change, but will instead build around what’s working to strengthen and extend your existing systems.
Authenticity
Numbers represent real people, real work, and real tradeoffs. I approach financial advising with empathy and perspective, recognizing the human impact behind every decision.