David co-founded Build Consulting in 2015, building on over 20 years of deep experience in the nonprofit technology sector. His work for Build’s clients has a broad focus spanning many operational areas including fundraising, program and case management, human resources, accounting, and many others. Internally, David leads our efforts to develop and grow relationships with service partners, vendors, independent contractors, and prospective employees.
“I appreciate engaging with staff at all levels to shape how technology can support the great work that my nonprofit clients do in support of a better community and world, environmental sustainability, and human rights. I enjoy working with the talented, fun, and caring team of colleagues at Build who are aligned around this mission. I most enjoy the projects that go end-to-end from initial concept and vision through implementation.” — David Deal
David is available for guest blogging, podcasting, webinars, and speaking engagements. To request David, contact Build.
Background and Affiliations
Before joining Build Consulting, David Deal was the founder and CEO of Community IT Innovators, which provides technology guidance and services to nonprofits in the DC metropolitan area. David guided Community IT from a start-up to an established employee-owned company with more than 60 staff members, serving 1,000 nonprofits. He personally worked with over 100 nonprofits to provide everything from hands-on application development and network engineering to technology strategy and guidance.
In 2009, David co-founded Virsant, a company providing “green IT” consulting and solutions to corporate, higher ed, government, and nonprofit clients, and served as Virsant’s Chair. In 2006, he co-founded the Sustainable Business Network of Washington, a nonprofit designed to promote triple-bottom line business practices in the DC Metro area.
David graduated magna cum laude from Duke University with a major in Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science. In 2010 he completed the Entrepreneurial Masters certificate program sponsored by the MIT Enterprise Forum and the Entrepreneur’s Organization, a selective program for 60 leaders of fast-growing companies around the world.
David is currently active in NTEN, the Salesforce Nonprofit Community, and the Microsoft Technology for Social Impact Community. David serves as Chair of the Board of Community IT Innovators, and is also on the board of the Jubilee Association of Maryland, which serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Experience
David has over two decades of experience in executive leadership roles (CEO, President, COO), senior technology leadership roles (CIO), and paid and volunteer service on boards of directors. These experiences span from nonprofits to entrepreneurial ventures, and from startups to $250M in revenue. As a result, he’s well suited to lead technology-supported change at organizations, bringing a comprehensive view of strategy, operations and process, technology, financial management, and change management, as well as a first-hand understanding of the perspectives of various stakeholders.
David’s consulting engagements have focused on technology strategy and change management. Throughout his career he has assisted clients with consulting in support of organizational strategy, operations management, constituent relationship management, fundraising/development, program management, knowledge management, IT services management, outcomes measurement, human resources and performance management, financial management, human services case management, email marketing, website, and geographic information systems.
David regularly does presentations for nonprofit all-staff meetings, executive teams, boards, as well as trainings related to implementation of new technology or using existing technology effectively.
David initially came to DC as a nonprofit volunteer through Mennonite Voluntary Service where he quickly found that technical skills were in great demand at nonprofits and discovered his passion for helping nonprofits use technology effectively.
Areas of Technology Practice
- Constituent Relationship Management and Fundraising systems (Salesforce NPSP, Luminate CRM, CauseView, NGO Connect, Raiser’s Edge, TeamRaiser, Luminate Online, Microsoft Dynamics 365 for Sales, and more)
- Office Productivity (G Suite/Google Apps, Office 365)
- Association Management systems (iMIS, NetForum, ClearVantage, etc.)
- ERP and Financial Management (Intacct, Financial Edge, NetSuite, QuickBooks, etc.)
- HRIS, payroll, and talent management (ADP, Paycom, Paychex, Taleo, UltiPro)
- Online communities (Salesforce Community, Higher Logic, etc.)
- Cloud file collaboration (SharePoint, Dropbox, Box, Google Drive)
- Human services case management (ETO, Client Track, CaseWorthy, etc.)
- Website CMS (WordPress)
- Event management (CVent, Eventbrite)
- Email marketing (Marketing Cloud, Campaign Monitor, Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc.)
- Project management (Teamwork, Trello, Microsoft Project, etc.)
- Case management (Jira, Teamwork Desk, Salesforce cases)
- Application & review (SurveyMonkey Apply, Submittable, etc.)
- Geographic information systems (ArcGIS)
- Board of Directors software
- Technology vendor relationship management (Managed IT Services providers, systems integrators, application developers, software vendors)
- Information security
- Database architecture and development (ColdFusion, FoxPro, Microsoft Access, Filemaker)
- Network engineering
- Windows server management
- Endpoint and mobile device management (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
What Clients Say
- “…a high level of emotional intelligence combined with his vast technical knowledge was directly tied to the success of the project.”
- “Works well with people”
- “Disciplined execution… unique ability to be critical without criticizing”
- “Understands our culture”
- “Brings a deep understanding of both technology and how nonprofits work” “understands us”
- “Charismatic leadership”
- “Great at providing context… clear explanations”
Authorship and Media
- Articles for Build Consulting
- Featured essay in Companies on a Mission, by Michael V. Russo: “Crafting the Mission-Driven Organization, The Human Dimension”:
- TV appearance on Emerald Planet to discuss Green IT
- Interviewed for “Through the Noise” podcast about nonprofit technology and social ventures
- Interviewed for “Cultural Fusion” podcast about organizational culture
- Featured in Sojourners magazine, article on ethical entrepreneurs
- Featured in IT Recruiter magazine, top young technology entrepreneurs in Washington, DC area
Speaking
- Build Co-Founder David Deal with Ebony Walton and Nabavi Oliver from Downtown DC Bid, presented an on-demand webinar presented at the TechForward Conference.
- Presentations on nonprofit technology at NTEN conferences, InsideNGO, Foundation Center (now part of Candid), Connect.DC Digital Inclusion Initiative, American Library Association conference
- Video: Tedx Talk. David Deal spoke in 2012 as the Founder and CEO of Community IT Innovators, on their business model to serve people and organizations working for social justice by enabling them to use technology effectively.
- Presentations on employee ownership for National Center for Employee Ownership, and the US Small Business Administration
- Volunteer technology trainer for adult students at ByteBack and Carlos Rosario International PCS
- Spoke on corporate sustainability at National Press Club, Sustainable Business Network of Washington annual conference, and at the launch of the Clean Energy Partnership
Previous webinars:
- Video: Data Cybersecurity for Nonprofits
- Video: Leadership in IT at Nonprofits
- Video: Nonprofit IT Staff Training: How-To and Why
- Video: When The CRM Is Not The Answer
- Video: Building a Better Nonprofit Software Selection Process - Ask the Experts
Click here to see all Build webinars from David Deal.
David’s Blog posts:
