I love strategy—but only when it actually works in real life.

Hi! I'm Deidre, founder of Kennelly Consulting. I work with women leaders—business owners and nonprofit executives—who are carrying a lot and trying to grow something that matters.

Here's what I know for sure: strategy built around idealized productivity doesn't work. I've seen it fail in nonprofits running on empty and in my own businesses while managing everything else life demands. The problem isn't you. It's strategy that ignores your actual capacity.

Over the past 15+ years, I've led fundraising and growth strategy for small nonprofits, built revenue plans from scratch, and run three of my own businesses. I'm a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE)—so I know the technical side of revenue strategy and what it's like to make big decisions while managing a full life.

That's why I developed Whole-Life Strategy™—an approach that designs your business around your real life, not the other way around. Caregiving, energy limits, school pick-ups, the mental load mom’s carry —these aren't obstacles. They're the foundation the strategy has to stand on.

Other firms build plans as if you exist only inside your work. I build strategy that honors the whole person behind it.

Whole-Life Strategy™ aligns capacity, revenue, and life so everything works together. My clients walk away with clear priorities, realistic guardrails, and a path forward that doesn't require them to become someone else to make it work.

Who I work with best: Women-led small businesses and nonprofits at an inflection point—growing, pivoting, or expanding in a big way. You've got momentum, but you're also stretched thin and feeling the weight of every decision. You know where you want to go; you need a clear path forward that doesn't require sacrificing your health, family, or sanity to get there.

What it's like to work together: My approach is collaborative, supportive, grounded, and focused on what's actually doable. No hype. No transformation bootcamps. Just clear thinking, honest conversations, and a plan you can execute without burning out.

Ready to build something sustainable with real results?

Let's have a conversation about what you're facing and where you want to go- no pressure, no pitch, just clarity on what makes sense for you. After our call - if you’re interested in moving forward - I'll send you a customized proposal with options that fit your needs.

Reach Out Today
Reach Out Today

What Clients Are Saying

  • This experience has been one of the highlights of my career!

    Give yourself a gift, and hire, Deidre! Deidre's coaching and final report/plan helped to identify clear priorities and "measure" tasks that felt actionable and achievable. Our organization was overwhelmed with "to dos" and now we have a plan! This experience has been one of the highlights of my career!

    -Sophie, Nonprofit Professional

  • Deidre understands the challenges that women business owners face and doesn't diminish that hurtle

    Working with Deidre has helped me to shape my "business owner mindset." She is structured, goal-oriented, and a great listener. Deidre understands the challenges that women business owners face and doesn't diminish that hurtle - instead she encourages her clients to lean into their strengths and to trust their experience. She has helped me to develop strategic steps toward growth, to build a business with "clarity and confidence."

    Since working with Deidre, I have learned to value my own time. As a business owner, I now feel comfortable building time-off with family into my yearly calendar. I now have automated systems in place and am working on developing more ways to be efficient with my time.

    Amanda Rookey, Rookey Landscape Architecture LLC

  • We are a better team as a result of Kennelly Consulting

    "I had the pleasure of working with Deidre to establish a fundraising plan for C.O.P.E. Family Support Center. For many years our board lacked a blueprint for planning and managing accountability of fundraising roles and responsibilities. Deidre supported our board by offering clarification and guidance that highlighted past successes and focused us on future opportunities. We are a better team as a result of Kennelly Consulting, and we are continuing to grow with every event!"

    Natasha Paddock, Executive Director
    C.O.P.E. Family Suppor Center

  • “Deidre was a joy to work with on a recent fundraising training for Placer nonprofit organizations. She listened closely to what we wanted and delivered a session that was thought provoking and actionable for attendees.”

    -Eileen Speaker, Placer Community Foundation

  • “Deidre knows the in’s and outs of nonprofits and has a real instinct for everything related to organizational development. I’m so glad to see that she’s chosen to help agencies enhance their services on a larger scale by providing consulting services.”

    -Christi Cakiroglu, CC Consulting