Dear Colleagues and Friends,  

Tech Networks of Boston (also known as TNB) is pleased to invite local employees of nonprofit organizations to a Roundtable session in which our featured guest will be David Leonard, the interim president of Boston Public Library.  We will discuss lessons learned from his transition from nonprofit chief technology officer (CTO) to nonprofit chief executive officer (CEO).          

In this conversation, David will share some of his experience and challenges of the last six months of leadership at the BPL, having taken the reins during a time of very public crisis. This leadership experience follows upon his transition from CTO to a deputy director role at the BPL during the last 6 years. David's background spans the academic, non-profit, technology, business, and consulting worlds, all of which has been helpful to him in his current work.    

Our discussion will address questions such as:

- How has David used this experience?

- What role should technology and data play in leadership today?

- In a crisis, how do you maintain equal focus on operational and strategic challenges?

Here's a bit more about David:

David Leonard has served as interim president of the Boston Public Library (BPL) since June 2015. Appointed to the role by the Boston Public Library Board of Trustees, and serving under the leadership of Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Leonard provides oversight of the library’s strategic initiatives and partnerships as well as the day-to-day operations of the nearly 170-year old institution. Previously, Leonard served as the director of administration and technology at the BPL, and joined the library as chief technology officer in July 2009.

In his role as interim president, David is currently focused on the completion of the second phase of the $78 million renovation of the Central Library in Copley Square as well as a significant number of branch and collections management improvement projects; improving the customer experience; collaborating with city departments and with local cultural institutions; and supporting Mayor Walsh’s arts and culture vision.    

Prior to taking on this new role, David led BPL's work to modernize the library’s technology infrastructure  and oversaw master planning and design for the second major renovation at the Central Library. He has also served at various times as both acting Director of Administration & Finance and separately as acting Chief Financial Officer.   

David is currently enrolled in a PhD program in Library Information Science at Simmons College. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from the University College Dublin. He was also previously in the doctoral program in Philosophy at Boston College.

Please note:

1) In keeping with the spirit of the TNB Roundtable series, this session will NOT be a sales pitch for any product or service.  This will be a professional development opportunity for nonprofit professionals who want to learn with and from their peers in other organizations.

2) This session is for employees of nonprofit organizations. It is not designed to meet the needs of vendors, volunteers, students, consultants, job-seekers, and others.

3) Priority in registration will be given to those who are employed by nonprofit organizations that hold full membership in the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network.

4) Participation in this session is free of charge for nonprofit professionals. However, you must have a confirmed reservation in order to attend.

5) If this session is booked to capacity by the time you seek to register for it, please go ahead and put yourself on the waiting list. We have a good track record of finding seats for nonprofit professionals on the waiting list.

We hope that you can join us for a vigorous and informative conversation, in which you will be welcome to share your knowledge and experience with your peers.

Best regards from Deborah

Deborah Elizabeth Finn | Senior Strategist   
Tech Networks of Boston       
1 Wadleigh Place  | South Boston, MA  02127    
Phone: 617.504.8188   | Fax: 888.527.9333     
deborah@techboston.com | techboston.com 

We are a Certified B Corp! | Visit our Boston Techie Blog