Bring
Energy - Expertise - Interaction
to your next event
Are you ready to take the stress out of grants? Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST, is ready to prepare attendees to master their next grant proposal.
Our expert practitioner. Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST, a Cornell University graduate, has extensive expertise in securing grant funding for nonprofits. As a Grant Professional Certified (GPC) and a principal consultant whose firm has secured more than $180.69 million in competitive grant awards, Diane brings a level of proven success that is credible and inspiring to any audience involved in nonprofit work. As the author of the forthcoming book, Playbook for Changemakers: Agile Ways of Working that Amplify Impact, Diane literally wrote the blueprint on how organizations can stop spinning their wheels. Attendees won’t just hear theory; they will learn real-world strategies that have consistently turned ambitious goals into funded realities. Her background as a former Program Officer for the Michigan Women’s Foundation also provides a meaningful “behind the scenes” perspective, helping attendees understand how to “think like a reviewer” for dramatically increased proposal success.
An uncommonly winning approach.
Beyond her formidable grant-writing track record, Diane offers a unique and modern perspective by integrating Agile frameworks into the nonprofit and grant-seeking worlds. As a Registered Scrum Trainer (RST) through Scrum Inc.©, she champions a fresh approach to project management that will change the way you think about efficiency and productivity, and will foster better team collaboration while also reducing stress. She offers a relevant and feasible solution for any organization struggling with too little time, too much to do, and not enough people to do it all. In her new book, Playbook for Changemakers, she guides nonprofit leaders through adopting these proven Agile approaches one tactical step at a time.
This dual expertise in grants and Agile methodology allows her to deliver content that isn’t just about securing funds, but is also about fundamentally improving an organization’s processes to achieve “less stress from grants and twice the impact in half the time.” This focus on operational excellence makes her keynote valuable not only for grant professionals but also for executive leaders and program staff.
Powerful keynotes tailored to you.
Diane’s engaging presentation style and dedication to customization make her the perfect fit for any audience. Testimonials consistently praise her dynamic nature, infectious passion, and ability to make grant writing “approachable” rather than intimidating.
She is known for tailoring her presentations to ensure that the audience feels “heard” and comes away with actionable steps, whether they are beginners or seasoned professionals. By booking Diane H. Leonard, you are guaranteed a keynote that is not only masterful and forward-thinking but also interactive and designed to leave every attendee feeling confident to apply best practices to their grant seeking and project management.
Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST, is a published author, Grant Professional Certified (GPC) and Approved Trainer of the Grant Professionals Association, Certified Virtual Presenter through espeakers, Registered Scrum Trainer, Registered Scrum Master, Registered Product Owner, and Scrum@Scale Practitioner through the Agile Education Program powered by Scrum Inc.
Offering 30–90-minute keynote opportunities to energize your audience.
Ms. Leonard specializes in grant readiness, grant research, relationship building, grant writing, mock review, Agile practices, and more.
Don't Let Grants Stress You Out
Bring the "Playbook for Changemakers" to Your Next Event
Want to give your attendees a tangible takeaway that drives real change? Diane’s upcoming book, Playbook for Changemakers: Agile Ways of Working that Amplify Impact (Releasing Dec 1, 2026), provides mission-driven organizations with a step-by-step guide to boost employee engagement, defeat burnout, and achieve their goals.
Ask us about exclusive event packages, including:
Keynote presentations framed around the book’s core tactics.
Special event-only pre-order or bulk-purchase pricing for all attendees.
Post-keynote book signing or exclusive VIP Q&A sessions.
We are excited to help your organization by strengthening your grant readiness and enhancing your grant-writing skills and practices to increase your chances of securing grant funding. Contact us today to schedule Ms. Leonard for in-person keynote speaking, virtual keynote speaking, webinars, and custom trainings tailored to fit your organization’s needs.
Schedule a call or email Megan Martin (megan@dhleonardconsulting.com), our Marketing and Training Product Owner, to book your keynote opportunity
View Diane at the GPA Conference
