About Sarah
A nonprofit strategist with a change leadership lens
My Story
I’m Sarah Downey, founder of Sarah Downey Consulting. For more than 20 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of nonprofit leadership, strategy, and systems change.
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My career began as an Executive Director, leading three different charities in Canada. In those roles, I learned firsthand what it takes to move a mission forward and how to engage boards, align teams, and lead through uncertainty. I later earned an Executive MBA focused on strategic leadership, deepening my ability to bring business strategy into values-driven organizations.
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Today, I help nonprofit leaders navigate the new terrain shaped by AI and digital change. I specialize in helping teams respond to the AI era with confidence by centering the leadership choices that shape how we learn, adapt, and stay human in a shifting landscape.
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Whether I’m supporting a team through AI policy development, running an executive workshop, or advising on strategic direction, I bring a change management lens to every conversation. I work side by side with my clients to create alignment, clarity, and capacity while keeping sight of the people and purpose at the heart of their work.
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I care deeply about this sector. I believe nonprofits can lead the way when it comes to implementing ethical AI adoption. I’m here to make it happen.
Core Values
Collaboration
I treat every engagement as a partnership. We build together.
Practical Wisdom
I draw from real-world experience to deliver solutions that work, not just look good on paper.
Compassionate Leadership
I foster safety and inclusion while asking honest questions that move things forward.
Boldness
I’ll challenge old assumptions and help you reimagine what’s possible, with care.
Integrity
I’m transparent, grounded, and values-aligned. You’ll always know where I stand.
My Approach
Everything starts with deep listening
I take time to understand what’s working, where the pressure points are, and what has already been explored. From there, we co-design solutions that reflect your culture, mission, and current reality - grounded in care, not one-size-fits-all templates.
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Whether I’m mapping strategic direction, guiding an AI policy conversation, or supporting a leader through moments of complexity, my goal is the same: to make the path forward feel clearer, lighter, and aligned with what matters most.
Why I do this Work
The nonprofit sector holds some of the most courageous, creative, and committed people I know. Too often, though, it runs on fumes — held back by outdated systems, under-resourced teams, and the constant pressure to do more with less.
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I’ve lived that tension. At one point, I almost walked away entirely. But what called me back was a deeper knowing: I’m here to help reimagine how this work gets done.
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I work with values-driven teams who are ready to lead differently. Together, we reclaim clarity, build capacity, and design strategies that honour both mission and our humanity, with practices that support the people doing the work.
I believe that AI, used with care, can create more space for connection, professionalism, and rest — freeing teams to focus on service. We use these tools to strengthen the people at the centre, the workflows that support their mission, and the capacity to lead with integrity and impact.
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And it matters, because nonprofit work is essential. It’s how we repair what’s broken and imagine what’s possible. It deserves every advantage we can give it.
