Phone: 619.282.8875
Senior Executive. Author. Academic. Consultant.
Pat Libby is a change management consultant who works exclusively with nonprofits and philanthropies. She brings a multifaceted perspective to her work, having served as a CEO and staff member of multiple nonprofit organizations, an academic in the field of nonprofit and philanthropic management, and a trusted advisor to countless organizations across the sector. Her firm partners with clients to think, plan, and govern strategically; recruit executives; engage in advocacy; and develop practical solutions to complex challenges.
The breadth of Pat’s experience gives her a deep understanding of third-sector organizations and the strategic and operational issues they face. She has successfully worked with a wide range of entities—from well-resourced organizations with multimillion-dollar budgets and large staffs to all-volunteer groups operating with modest financial means. As the sole proprietor of a woman-owned firm, Pat is directly involved in every stage of client engagement, a hallmark of her practice that clients value deeply.
In addition to her consulting work, Pat served for 14 years as the founding director of the Nonprofit Institute at the University of San Diego. Under her leadership, the Institute launched internationally recognized graduate programs, an endowed research center, and community education initiatives that served hundreds of individuals and organizations annually. The Institute was born from Pat’s vision of an academic center that seamlessly integrates research, theory, and practice.
Her executive leadership experience also includes eight years as President and CEO of the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations. During her tenure, she transformed a financially insolvent nonprofit into a nationally recognized model for statewide CDC associations, helping to leverage nearly $200 million for community development efforts across Massachusetts. The organization continues to be a leader in the field.
Pat is the author of several books, including The Empowered Citizens Guide (Oxford University Press, 2022) and The Lobbying Strategy Handbook, Second Edition (Oxford University Press, 2021)—both accessible “how-to” guides for nonprofit professionals and students seeking to engage in the legislative process. She is also co-author, with Laura Deitrick, of Cases in Nonprofit Management (SAGE, 2017), with a second edition forthcoming from Cognella Press in 2026.
Pat holds a graduate degree in Urban Planning from MIT and a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Sociology from Tufts University.
Connect with Pat on LinkedIn.
In 2017 Pat received the inaugural “Libby Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Leadership." This award is presented annually by the University of San Diego’s Nonprofit Institute.
The award is for exceptional work in promoting the values of tzedakah and tikkun olam, Hebrew phrases that respectively mean “righteousness” and “repairing the world.”
Pat Libby interviewed by Mike Gellman
"Pat’s success in Massachusetts propelled her to national leadership in the field and community developers around the country began to create CDC associations of their own in order to replicate Pat’s success in Massachusetts.
Twenty years later, MACDC continues to flourish because of the financial, organizational, human resource and structural foundation she built – indeed much of how we operate today can be traced directly to the policies, procedures and strategies that Pat initiated. Not only did Pat build MACDC up from next to nothing, but she built it to last."
Joe Kriesberg
President and CEO, MassINC.
In 2002 USD Professor of Practice Pat Libby had a vision for the nonprofit sector in San Diego and beyond. Pat created vibrant graduate programs, an endowed research center and an institute serving hundreds of nonprofits in our region and throughout the world. Her work at USD was truly remarkable and we were so fortunate to have her work with us for 14 years.
Paula Cordeiro
former Dean, University of San Diego
School of Leadership and Education Sciences
Books
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The Empowered Citizens Guide
10 Steps to Passing a Law that Matters to You
For years, Pat Libby has been teaching everyday citizens how to pass laws. Most of them knew next to nothing about the legislative process when they got started, yet many surprised themselves by passing a law on their first try. The Empowered Citizens Guide provides an easy, 10-step framework that breaks down the legislative process into bite-sized pieces. For those who are passionate about creating change in their communities, cities, or states this book provides a simple recipe to make a difference.
Use code: ASFLYQ6 to purchase The Empowered Citizens Guide for the discounted price of $17.47.
The Lobbying Strategy Handbook
10 Steps to Advancing Any Cause Effectively
The Lobbying Strategy Handbook shows how students with passion for a cause can learn to successfully influence lawmaking in the United States. The centerpiece of this book is a 10-step framework that walks the reader through the essential elements of conducting a lobbying campaign. The framework is illustrated by three separate case studies that show how groups of people have successfully used the model. Undergraduate, graduate students, and anyone interested in making a difference, can use the book to guide them in creating and conducting a grassroots campaign from start to finish.
Order the second edition of The Lobbying Strategy Handbook.
Cases in Nonprofit Management
A Hands-On Approach to Problem Solving
Case Studies in Nonprofit Management by Pat Libby and Laura Deitrick is designed to teach students how to think critically, hone their decision-making skills, and learn to apply leadership and management principles that are essential for any nonprofit professional. The cases provide students with insight into the nature of nonprofit management sector, illustrating the role of key concepts such as leadership, risk management, financial management, advocacy, marketing, and grantmaking in nonprofit organizations.