DANIEL DELEON
Chelsea,MA
Summary
CHIEF OF STAFF | NONPROFIT OPERATIONS & STRATEGY LEADER Driving Organizational Growth, Cross-Functional Execution, and Strategic Alignment Chief of Staff with progressive leadership experience spanning operations, communications, and executive strategy within mission-driven organizations. Trusted advisor to executive leadership and Boards, leading cross-functional initiatives across HR, Finance, IT, and Programs. Known for building systems, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and aligning teams to drive measurable impact, efficiency, and long-term growth.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
CHIEF OF STAFF
Friends of the Children
Boston, MA
09.2023 - Current
- ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP
- Partner with Executive Director to drive strategy and execution across a $4M organization
- Lead cross-functional operations across HR, Finance, IT, and Programs
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial compliance with Board Finance Committee
- Establish policies, procedures, and organizational best practices
- Lead legal, safety, and regulatory compliance efforts
- Design and deliver staff training and professional development initiatives
- GROWTH & EXPANSION
- Led launch of East Boston satellite site, overseeing construction, infrastructure, and design
- Directed $40K renovation of central site to enhance program experience and functionality
- Supported organizational growth from 23 to 35 staff and multi-site operations
- SYSTEMS & INFRASTRUCTURE
- Implemented Bills.com, increasing credit capacity from $19K to $60K
- Led full IT modernization: WiFi, security systems, cloud storage, and phone system
- Launched fleet vehicle program with policies for usage, booking, and maintenance
- Revised Employee Handbook (first update since 2018) to align with current practices and laws
- Built operational systems and workflows to support scale and efficiency
SENIOR MANAGER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS (Consultant)
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice Fund
Boston, MA
09.2022 - 02.2023
- Led cross-functional projects across communications, operations, and events
- Designed strategies to strengthen partner engagement and fundraising
- Built systems for event execution, roles, and post-event evaluation
Vice President of Nonprofit Leadership (2022), Director of Communications (2018 – 2022)
Lewis Family Foundation
Boston, MA
06.2018 - 06.2022
- Promoted to Vice President role in 2022 in recognition of strong performance and leadership impact
- Partnered with senior leadership to execute organizational strategy and priorities
- Led executive coaching for nonprofit leaders across Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan, strengthening leadership capacity and team performance
- Developed and executed communication strategies to advance mission and increase organizational visibility
- Led large-scale events including a 700-person program at Faneuil Hall
- Built internal systems to improve communication, transparency, and decision-making
TRAVELER RELATIONS SUPERVISOR & LEAD COACH
Grand Circle Corporation
Boston, MA
06.2014 - 06.2018
- Trained 250+ employees and led company-wide development programs
- Recognized as #1 Trainer (2016–2018)
MANAGER, QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
Valentine & Kebartas Inc.
Lawrence, MA
04.2012 - 07.2014
- Oversaw QA and compliance for 120+ staff
- Developed reporting systems and training programs
Education
Core Certificate Program - Nonprofit Management
Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP)
05-2026
Skills
- Microsoft Office Suite
- Salesforce
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Squarespace
- Payroll & CRM Systems
Accomplishments
- Scaled a $4M nonprofit serving 175 youth, supporting growth from 23 to 35 staff and expansion to a second site
- Led launch of East Boston site, overseeing construction, IT, security, and full operational setup
- Increased credit capacity from $19K to $60K through financial system implementation (Bills.com)
- Directed $40K in capital improvements to modernize central site
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Strategic Planning
- Operations Management
- Financial Oversight
- HR & Organizational Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Project Management
- Compliance & Risk Management
- Leadership Development
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
CHIEF OF STAFF
Friends of the Children
09.2023 - Current
SENIOR MANAGER OF SPECIAL PROJECTS (Consultant)
The New Commonwealth Racial Equity & Social Justice Fund
09.2022 - 02.2023
Vice President of Nonprofit Leadership (2022), Director of Communications (2018 – 2022)
Lewis Family Foundation
06.2018 - 06.2022
TRAVELER RELATIONS SUPERVISOR & LEAD COACH
Grand Circle Corporation
06.2014 - 06.2018
MANAGER, QUALITY ASSURANCE & COMPLIANCE
Valentine & Kebartas Inc.
04.2012 - 07.2014
Core Certificate Program - Nonprofit Management
Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP)