Who we are
Ember Poppy Consulting LLC is a boutique consulting firm founded by two experienced professionals who believe that thoughtful, detail-oriented work and direct communication lead to better outcomes for clients.
We created Ember Poppy Consulting in response to a professional landscape that is changing rapidly. As adaptable, values-driven consultants, we wanted to build something independent and sustainable that allows us to offer our expertise directly to individuals, small businesses, and professional decision-makers who value clarity, accountability, and care in the work they commission.
Our firm brings together two specialized skill sets under one umbrella. While our areas of focus differ, our work often intersects with the same professional environments, including legal, compliance-driven, operational, and business development contexts. This shared foundation allows us to approach client needs with a cohesive mindset rooted in precision, integrity, and respect for process.
We prioritize working closely with our clients rather than through layers of intermediaries. Clear, direct communication allows us to understand needs accurately from the outset, reduce misalignment, and deliver work that is both effective and thoughtfully executed. Our clients benefit from being heard early, understood clearly, and supported by consultants who take ownership of their work from start to finish.
At the core of Ember Poppy Consulting is a commitment to professionalism grounded in real human connection. We value adaptability, transparency, and care in both our work and our relationships. These values guide how we collaborate with clients and how we approach every engagement, regardless of scope or sector.
Meet the Founders
Elizabeth Kalmus
Co-Founder | Writing, Editing & Proposal Consulting
Elizabeth Kalmus is a professional writer, editor, and proposal consultant with extensive experience supporting organizations across government, nonprofit, and commercial sectors. Her work focuses on helping clients communicate clearly, meet complex requirements, and present their ideas with precision and confidence.
Elizabeth specializes in proposal writing and consulting for federal, state, and local government solicitations, as well as editing and strategic review for compliance-driven and high-stakes documents. Her experience includes proposal development, proposal management, RFP consulting, compliance reviews, and editorial refinement across a wide range of industries and organizational types.
In addition to proposal work, Elizabeth provides professional writing and editorial services for marketing materials, public relations content, blogs, internal communications, and long-form and ghostwritten pieces. She is known for her thoughtful, detail-oriented approach and her ability to translate complex ideas into clear, structured, and audience-appropriate language.
Elizabeth prefers to work directly with clients, believing that strong outcomes are built through clear communication, careful listening, and shared understanding from the outset. Her work is grounded in accuracy, accountability, and respect for both process and people. Through Ember Poppy Consulting, she brings these values to every engagement, partnering closely with clients to deliver work that is polished, purposeful, and aligned with their goals.
Sheryl Kalmus
Co-Founder | Insurance Client Services
Sheryl Kalmus is a licensed insurance professional specializing in Property & Casualty and Life insurance support, with a strong background in customer experience, agent support, and operational efficiency. She is known for her clear communication style, calm problem-solving, and consistent follow-through, particularly in fast-paced, service-driven environments.
Sheryl’s work focuses on helping policyholders and insurance offices navigate everyday insurance needs with accuracy and care. Her experience includes handling policy transactions, billing inquiries, service requests, and escalation support while maintaining strong attention to compliance and documentation. She is skilled at managing high-volume client interactions across phone, email, and digital systems, and she emphasizes clarity, empathy, and practical resolution at every stage.
Licensed in California, Nevada, and Arizona, Sheryl brings a detail-oriented approach to insurance client services, supporting retention efforts, strengthening client relationships, and helping ensure a smooth experience from inquiry to resolution. Through Ember Poppy Consulting, she provides responsive, professional support designed to help clients feel informed, respected, and confident in the process.
Contact us
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