Archive for the fundraising Category

The Power of No: A Burnout Antidote from My Old Days of Fundraising

On May 28, 2025 / Executive Coaching, fundraising, Leadership, Leadership Coaching, Nonprofit Leadership, work life balance / Leave a comment

Burnout: The Price of Never Saying No. Here’s the truth they don’t always teach you in the nonprofit hustle (or in any high-stakes, high-purpose work): Saying yes to everything means you’re saying no to yourself.

Appreciation

“For over five years, Linley has played a critical role in helping our organization, Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, navigate a merger, create our short and long term strategies, and define our organizational culture. I would absolutely recommend working with Linley in any aspect of your work; from a one-time coaching session to long-term vision facilitation, she will go above and beyond.“
—Josue J. Olivares, Executive Director
Rio Grande Community Development Corporation

“The insights she has provided I have incorporated throughout every aspect of my life. I feel like I am a better person. I feel healthier. Most importantly, I feel more alive. She has helped me to tap into my lifeblood – my passion, my future. Thanks, Linley. Words can’t express the difference you’ve made in my life.
I am bringing silly back into my life. The pure joy of that is beyond words. It was always there, but the door had closed years ago. She helped me to force that door open (and close others).”
—Annam Manthiram

“Frustrated in a job I didn’t love and anxious to not jump into something worse, I wanted to understand what was making me miserable and how I could prevent another misstep. I needed a coach. Over the course of nine months, Linley guided, challenged, encouraged, and coaxed new ways of thinking. Weekly, she coached me to recognize my unique skillset that can create a positive impact for our community. She helped me articulate my vision, mission, and values in such a way that I changed course and found a position that aligns with my purpose. Working with Linley was an invaluable investment.”

—Diana Weber, MD

“I am so grateful for the mentorship, coaching, and support I have received from Linley over the last several years. Her kindness, intuition, and unwavering support provided a foundation that has allowed me to build a truly fulfilling career. Linley acted as a cheerleader, conspirator, and confidante when I needed it most- allowing me to thrive in fundraising at a time when I wondered if I could ever be successful in nonprofit leadership.
—Jessie Calero , Development Director at Mandy’s Farm

“Having worked on various projects with Linley for our organization over the last 5 years, she is hands down one of the most impactful development investments for our staff that we have ever made.”

—Lindsey Kay, CEO at Paws and Stripes

“Linley is an amazing facilitator. She has tremendous skill in providing a learning environment that allows for Directors to focus on their leadership skills emphasizing self-care, compassion, and confidence. Linley is a badass!”

—Melissa McCue, CEO Mandy’s Farm

“I appreciated the values assessment and conversation around the enneagram. Those helped me see myself in new ways and I still have a lot to learn about myself at the same time!”

—Tracy Weaver, CEO Saranam

… helped me learn more effective listening styles …

This program has been EXTREMELY helpful – speaking to someone that is business minded but objective has really helped me learn more effective listening styles which has helped me become a more helpful teammate. Linley has also helped me feel more confident about speaking up and helped me find better ways of being heard when I do.

Tech Team Leader

This shift in leadership style … promises to enhance my effectiveness

One of the highlights of our collaboration was the emphasis on adopting a “Leader as Coach” approach. Through coaching skills development, I’m equipped to empower my team, foster independence, and encourage reflective practices. This shift in leadership style energizes me and promises to enhance both my effectiveness as a leader and our team’s performance.

April Spaulding

Executive Director, Abrazos Family Services

…helped me see myself in new ways…

I appreciated the values assessment and conversation around the enneagram. Those helped me see myself in new ways and I still have a lot to learn about myself at the same time!

Tracy Weaver

Ceo Saranam

Linley is a badass!

Linley is an amazing facilitator. She has tremendous skill in providing a learning environment that allows for Directors to focus on their leadership skills emphasizing self-care, compassion, and confidence. Linley is a badass!

Melissa McCue

CEO Mandy’s Farm

One of the most impactful development investments…

Having worked on various projects with Linley for our organization over the last 5 years, she is hands down one of the most impactful development investments for our staff that we have ever made.

Lindsey Kay

CEO at Paws and Stripes

I am so grateful for the mentorship, coaching, and support

I am so grateful for the mentorship, coaching, and support I have received from Linley over the last several years. Her kindness, intuition, and unwavering support provided a foundation that has allowed me to build a truly fulfilling career. Linley acted as a cheerleader, conspirator, and confidante when I needed it most- allowing me to thrive in fundraising at a time when I wondered if I could ever be successful in nonprofit leadership.

Jessie Calero

Development Director at Mandy's Farm

She helped me articulate my vision, mission, and value…

Frustrated in a job I didn’t love and anxious to not jump into something worse, I wanted to understand what was making me miserable and how I could prevent another misstep. I needed a coach. Over the course of nine months, Linley guided, challenged, encouraged, and coaxed new ways of thinking. Weekly, she coached me to recognize my unique skill set that can create a positive impact for our community. She helped me articulate my vision, mission, and values in such a way that I changed course and found a position that aligns with my purpose. Working with Linley was an invaluable investment.

Diana Weber

I feel like I am a better person

The insights she has provided I have incorporated throughout every aspect of my life. I feel like I am a better person. I feel healthier. Most importantly, I feel more alive. She has helped me to tap into my lifeblood – my passion, my future. Thanks, Linley. Words can’t express the difference you’ve made in my life. I am bringing silly back into my life. The pure joy of that is beyond words. It was always there, but the door had closed years ago. She helped me to force that door open (and close others).

Annam Manthiram

I would absolutely recommend working with Linley

For over five years, Linley has played a critical role in helping our organization, Rio Grande Community Development Corporation, navigate a merger, create our short and long-term strategies, and define our organizational culture. I would absolutely recommend working with Linley in any aspect of your work; from a one-time coaching session to long-term vision facilitation, she will go above and beyond.

Josue J. Olivares

Executive Director, Rio Grande Community Development Corporation