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# Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC

Ideas. Inspiration. Action.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [How to Ensure a Good Night's Sleep before a Big Event](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/how-to-ensure-a-good-nights-sleep-before-a-big-event/) - This week is a guest post containing the most useful tips for getting the proper rest before a significant happening, written by Will Taylor, Event Planner. How to Ensure a Good Night's Sleep before a Big Event There’s just one day left until your philanthropic gala, and you still feel like there are a thousand
- [Be the Pebble in the Pond: Take Small Personal Actions to Make the World a Better Place](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/be-the-pebble-in-the-pond-take-small-personal-actions-to-make-the-world-a-better-place/) - Editor's Note: This post was originally published on the Bayer Center blog in May 2009 and has been updated for relevancy, etc. Sometimes I stay up later than I should at night, Googling issues of concern to me and thinking about the various wrongs in the world. I have been an activist in various capacities since
- [Workshop: Planning Your Website Home Page (Wireframing)](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/workshop-planning-your-website-home-page-wireframing/) - I gave this workshop, "Planning Your Website Home Page (Wireframing)," at the 2022 Nonprofit Technology Conference hosted by NTEN. They gave presenters permission to share workshop videos for non-commercial purposes, so I wanted to post it here. All of the worksheets and resources referenced in the presentation are still available for download.
- [Writing and Drawing by Hand vs. Typing on a Keyboard](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/writing-and-drawing-by-hand-vs-typing-on-a-keyboard/) - As I sought inspiration for this week's post, my eye went to the stuff on my desk at home. Besides my electronic stuff (PC, iPhone, iPad), I realized I have a remarkable number of items that are non-digital: journal, drawing journal, sketchpad, adult coloring books and regular notebooks. I also thought back to a phone call
- [Recent WordPress updates & why you should always update your website ASAP](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/recent-wordpress-updates-why-you-should-always-update-your-website-asap/) - An interesting thing happened this month that I can't recall ever seeing before. WordPress released a new version of its software, and then the very next day, released another update. Version 4.9.3 fixed 34 vulnerabilities in the software. Version 4.9.4 fixed the WordPress automatic update feature that broke for many sites after 4.9.3 was installed. I
- [AI Resources - Webinar Handout](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/ai-resources-webinar-download/) - Thanks for attending one of my webinars "Unlocking Efficiency: Leveraging ChatGPT for Nonprofit Success" or "AI Essentials for Nonprofits: ChatGPT Strategies for Fundraising and Communications Success" hosted by the Bayer Center! Download AI REsources for Nonprofits handout If I can help in any way with your AI endeavors, or other nonprofit tech, marketing, or strategy
- ["What Does AI Think You Look Like?" Slides from Nonprofits LEAD 2026](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/what-does-ai-think-you-look-like-slides-from-nonprofits-lead-2026/) - On May 13, Cindy Leonard presented a breakout session at the Nonprofits LEAD 2026 conference at Marietta College: "What Does AI Think You Look Like? Exposing Bias in Generative Systems." The session looked at how generative AI tools can reflect, reinforce, or amplify bias, especially when creating images of people, communities, professions, leadership, and nonprofit
- [A First-Timer's Guide to Enjoying the Nonprofit Technology Conference](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/a-first-timers-guide-to-enjoying-the-2018-nonprofit-technology-conference/) - The Nonprofit Technology Network puts on an amazing annual conference called the Nonprofit Technology Conference, or NTC for short. Generally held in spring, the conference is held in various cities throughout the United States, typically alternating between east coast, west coast, and the heartland so everyone has a chance at attending at some point with
- [Cybersecurity Info for Nonprofits (for Cybersecurity Awareness Month)](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/cybersecurity-info-for-nonprofits-for-cybersecurity-awareness-month/) - Cybersecurity Awareness Month is nearly over, but it's so important to practice good online security throughout the year. This is especially true for nonprofit organizations, many of which are serving the most vulnerable members of our society who cannot afford disruptions in those services. Rather than re-invent the wheel by writing a post full of
- [Struggling to Learn New Technology? Adopt a Growth Mindset.](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/struggling-to-learn-new-technology-adopt-a-growth-mindset/) - I've been doing a lot of training lately, most recently a class at the Bayer Center last week called DIY Websites with WordPress. Upon reflection, I realize that I'm hearing a good deal of self-criticism, particularly in hands-on technology trainings. For example: "I have a stupid question." "I'll never remember how to do this." "I'm so
- [From Accidental Techie to IT Pro: Advocating for Your Role, Pay, and Recognition](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/from-accidental-techie-to-it-pro-advocating-for-your-role-pay-and-recognition/) - Tiffany Castagno and Cindy Leonard teamed up to deliver this session at the virtual 2025 Nonprofit Technology Conference. Please feel free to browse or download the slide deck below. If you have additional questions, please get in touch. MASTER Slide Deck - NTC - From Accidental Techie to IT ProDownload
- [Net Neutrality: What it is, why it's important & what you can do to preserve it](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/net-neutrality-what-it-is-why-its-important-what-you-can-do-to-preserve-it/) - What is Net Neutrality? By now, you may have heard of net neutrality in the news, but I think there are still many people out there who don't really understand what it is or why it is important. (I quizzed some of my own friends and family members before deciding to write this post and
- [5 Things to Look for When Hiring a Technology Consultant](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/5-things-to-look-for-when-hiring-a-technology-consultant/) - A sizable part of a my job at the Bayer Center was providing technology consulting services for nonprofits. However, once in a while we did an in-house project where we needed to hire an outside consultant to do some technical work, and sometimes I got to project manage it. At one point, we hired a
- [The Importance of SSL for Nonprofits](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/the-importance-of-ssl-for-nonprofits/) - Amar Trivedi of AmDee, LLC, is my guest blogger today, providing guidance on how crucial it will be for nonprofits to upgrade their websites to SSL in the coming months. Amar is the founder and president of AmDee and has been a software developer and architect since the mid-1990s. The Importance of SSL for Nonprofits
- [Evaluating WordPress Plugins](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/evaluating-wordpress-plugins/) - Someone recently asked me this question during a WordPress clinic: "How do I know if a WordPress plugin is a good one to use?" An excellent question, though the answer is a little less straightforward than I'd prefer. WordPress is an open source community and as such, anyone who wants to create a plugin can do
- [An introvert's advice on overcoming your fear of public speaking](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/fear-of-public-speaking/) - Our Number One Fear Public speaking is, according to West Coast Toastmasters, the number one fear Americans have. Our fear of public speaking is apparently even greater than our fear of death! I do a lot of public speaking as part of my job. I teach maybe a dozen non-credit workshops at the Bayer Center
- [My Own Accidental Techie/Nonprofit Career Path Story](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/my-own-accidental-techienonprofit-career-path-story/) - My friend and colleague Johanna Bates recently wrote a great post for the NTEN blog previewing the upcoming breakout session that she, I, Tracy Kronzak and Jessie Lee will be giving at the 2017 Nonprofit Technology Conference: Let’s Talk Accidental & Intentional Nonprofit Tech Careers. The recent planning phone call we had for that session made
- [4 Tips for Managing Anxiety](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/4-tips-for-managing-anxiety/) - Anxiety? Huh? I must confess that I'm feeling some discomfort writing this post because it's unusual for me to put my personal "stuff" out for public consumption. That being said, I'm writing this about an issue with which I've been dealing for this past year and if I can help others who are experiencing the
- [Metrics for Evaluating Nonprofit Performance](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/metrics-for-evaluating-nonprofit-performance/) - The following is a guest post by Steve Hollis of FocusCFO. FocusCFO that has been providing part-time CFO services to small and medium sized businesses ($1-30M in revenue) since 2001. They manage three key areas: cash flow, business risk and scalable growth, resulting in increased value in the business. They do this on a fractional
- [The Importance of (and Resources for) Technology Planning at Nonprofit Organizations](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/the-importance-of-and-resources-for-technology-planning-at-nonprofit-organizations/) - I've been thinking about nonprofits and the importance of technology planning a lot lately. I strongly believe that every nonprofit organization, regardless of size or budget, should have some semblance of a technology plan. As part of my work, I've helped many nonprofits assess their technology usage and become better at planning for tech. I
- [Letting Go of the Past to Move Forward in Your Nonprofit Career](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/letting-go-of-the-past-to-move-forward-in-your-nonprofit-career/) - During my commute, I'm currently listening to the audiobook version of Steve Chandler's "The Hands-Off Manager." One of the metaphors from the book resonated strongly with me and I'd like to share it with you. Chandler talks about how managers (and people in general) have a tendency to cling to the past. Rehashing mistakes, beating ourselves
- [5 Tips for Self-Care After a Big Event](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/5-tips-for-self-care-after-a-big-event/) - Nonprofit organizations frequently hold large events: galas, golf outings, conferences, etc. If you're like me, one of the folks who are responsible for managing such events, you know there is a certain amount of stress involved with getting these things off the ground. I just finished up with our annual TechNow Conference and am still in
- [Give Pittsburgh Magazine Article on How Pittsburgh Nonprofits are Using Technology](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/give-pittsburgh-magazine-article/) - Pittsburgh Magazine has just launched a new magazine called Give Pittsburgh (not to be confused with the fundraising event Pittsburgh Gives). Rachel Weaver Labar wrote an excellent article called "Giving in Pittsburgh, Simplified" for the first edition that focuses on how nonprofits in Pittsburgh are using technology to reach donors, volunteers and constituents. Rachel interviewed me
- [Making Time for Giving Thanks](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/making-time-for-giving-thanks/) - Dear Reader, I wanted to take a moment to let you know that I'm taking a brief vacation from blogging (just a week) in order to celebrate Thanksgiving. I struggled with whether or not I should just (to quote my best friend's 10 year old daughter) "suck it up, buttercup" and find time to schedule
- [The Challenge of Redesigning Your Own Website: A Reflection on Perspective](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/the-challenge-of-redesigning-your-own-website-a-reflection-on-perspective/) - The Conundrum As the owner of a company that offers web design and development, this month I found myself facing a conundrum - the arduous task of redesigning our website. This seemingly straightforward endeavor quickly turned into quite a challenge, and I began to reflect on this. Why is it so much easier to solve
- [Online WordPress Community](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/online-wordpress-community/) - A few years ago, I started an online WordPress Community through the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). NTEN is the membership organization for nonprofit technology professionals. I've been an NTEN member for 12 or 13 years (I've lost track) and early on, there was always a large Drupal component in NTEN's programming. Drupal online community, Drupal Day
- [The End of My Romance with Facebook](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/the-end-of-my-romance-with-facebook/) - Why I'm writing this post First off, I want to say that this is not one of those "I quit Facebook and here's why you should too" posts. This is a post about a personal decision to leave that particular social network, not because I feel the need to justify the decision or encourage other
- [The Evolution of Online Privacy (Video by PBS)](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/the-evolution-of-online-privacy-video-by-pbs/) - I'm currently taking a class at RMU called Digital Evidence Analysis. It's been fascinating subject matter so far. This week, we were assigned to view a video about the history of online privacy. In the messy and scary wake of the recent Equifax hacking, sharing the video in a post this week seems very relevant. (On a
- [5 Tips to Get Organized for an Upcoming Website Design Project](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/5-tips-to-get-organized-for-an-upcoming-website-design-project/) - Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC recently re-designed and launched a new website for Beth Kanter, internationally recognized trainer, facilitator, and author. We worked with Eve Simon Creative, who did a wonderful job creating a visual design for the site. Beth impressed us with her organization and preparedness for the re-design process. In fact, based of 20+

## Pages

- [Home](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/) - Cindy Leonard Consulting helps nonprofits craft smart strategies, align their technology with their goals, and strengthen their marketing and communications.
- [Contact](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/contact/) - Contact Cindy Leonard Consulting today. We're always happy to talk through your project ideas - no charge, no pressure. Email is the best way to reach us.
- [Meet Scout](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/meet-scout/) - Scout is the symbol of Cindy Leonard Consulting. Named in part for Scout Finch, she is curious, observant, independent, and entirely unimpressed by nonsense.
- [Services](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/services/) - Our services help nonprofit organizations with building strategy, sorting out technology, and strengthening communications.
- [Fractional IT Services](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/fractional-it-services/) - About Not every nonprofit needs, or has the budget for, a full-time tech director. But every nonprofit deserves smart, strategic technology leadership. Fractional IT assistance means you get an experienced partner who can help you plan, prioritize, and manage technology projects - without the cost or commitment of hiring in-house. Whether you’re overwhelmed by software
- [Fractional Marketing Services](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/fractional-marketing-services/) - About Fractional marketing support gives your nonprofit practical, experienced help with the communications work that often lands on already-busy staff. We help you plan, produce, and manage marketing efforts that reflect your mission, build connection, and feel realistic to maintain. Whether you need strategic guidance, extra capacity, or a sounding board with real nonprofit know-how,
- [WordPress Website Portfolio](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/wordpress-website-portfolio/) - Since 2008, Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC has crafted exceptional websites for nonprofit organizations & capacity builders exclusively on the WordPress platform.
- [Nonprofit Resources](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/nonprofit-resources/) - These nonprofit resources are provided for information only and do not imply endorsement, partnership, or paid advertisement.
- [Recognition](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/recognition/) - Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC has been honored by peers and partners over the years for contributions to the nonprofit and small business sectors.
- [Our Team](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/our-team/) - Cindy Leonard has dedicated more than 2 decades to strengthening the nonprofit sector through strategic planning, technology leadership, & communications work.
- [Privacy Policy](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/privacy-policy/) - Privacy policy for Cindy Leonard Consulting LLC
- [Mission, Vision, and Values](https://cindyleonardconsulting.com/mission-vision-and-values/) - Cindy Leonard Consulting helps nonprofit organizations explore better strategies, get intentional about technology, and strengthen their communications.

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