Meet Linda Handley

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Linda Handley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Linda, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Where Did I Get My Resilience?
Resilience is often born from experiences that test our character and push us to grow in unexpected ways. For me, it started in my early years, growing up in Hershey, Pennsylvania. As the older of two children, my parents instilled in me the values of hard work, integrity, and a deep sense of compassion for others. They showed me what it meant to care for those around you, and that has stayed with me my entire life.

After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh with a Bachelors and a Master’s in Health Administration, I began my career in at a leading medical center. It was a challenging and fast-paced environment where I worked alongside people who were just as driven as I was. But even with a demanding career, I found myself gravitating toward nonprofit work, devoting my free time to organizations like the Boys and Girls Club. This dual commitment taught me an early lesson in balancing professional success with personal passion, something I’ve carried with me throughout my journey.

After years at the medical center, I founded a real estate investment company, I did so with a mission—urban restoration and providing affordable housing. There were hurdles, from the complexities of renovating homes to the challenges of leasing them, but I knew that my work was making a difference in people’s lives. It was that purpose that kept me going during tough times. Resilience, to me, is fueled by purpose.

The same sense of purpose led me to launch Building Bridges for Business. This nonprofit became a platform for empowering others through education and opportunity, with initiatives like the “Coffee With…” series and the U Can B teaching program. The resilience I cultivated in my personal and professional life made it possible for me to launch programs that have reached over 100,000 students. Seeing how these efforts positively impact youth has been one of the most rewarding parts of my life.

The pandemic was an unexpected and difficult time for everyone, myself included. Yet, it was during this period that I found new strength. While many businesses were struggling to survive, I launched my consulting firm, LindaHandley.com, to help others pivot and adapt. My team provided over 2,500 hours of pro-bono services to nonprofits and businesses, assisting them with everything from strategic planning to grant management. It was my resilience that kept me going, knowing that in the darkest times, we had the power to lift each other up.

I’ve had the honor of being recognized for my work, including being named one of the Top 10 people in Pittsburgh and being nominated for Pittsburgh Woman of the Year for Community Service. But for me, resilience is less about recognition and more about pushing through challenges with a sense of purpose. It’s about helping others rise, even when the odds seem against us.

Resilience comes from every experience that challenges us, but ultimately, it comes from having a purpose bigger than yourself. For me, that purpose has always been about empowering and educating others, and that’s what drives me to keep going every day.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m Linda Handley, a mission-driven entrepreneur, nonprofit consultant, and urban revitalizer. Over the years, I’ve been passionate about creating opportunities for others—whether through education, urban restoration, or consulting. Currently, I’m focusing much of my time on growing LindaHandley.com, my consulting firm, and operating our shared co-working space, a collaborative environment for nonprofits and small businesses to thrive together.
One of the most exciting aspects of what I do is helping organizations streamline their operations, improve their funding strategies, and increase their impact. Through the consulting firm, we work closely with nonprofits and small businesses on areas like strategic planning, program development, and digital marketing, empowering them to reach their goals more effectively. Since launching the firm during the pandemic, we’ve provided over 2,500 hours of consulting, helping organizations pivot in challenging times and thrive.
Our shared co-working space is another project I’m passionate about. It brings together mission-driven organizations in a collaborative environment where they can share resources, ideas, and opportunities. This unique space allows like-minded individuals to work together to solve problems, innovate, and create a positive impact in their communities.
We’re excited to put more energy into the consulting firm and expanding the co-working space. In addition, we are ramping up new service offerings that include tailored support for nonprofits preparing for Giving Tuesday and key fundraising events, as well as comprehensive digital marketing and funding strategies.
Ultimately, my brand is centered around creating lasting impact, whether it’s helping organizations grow, revitalizing urban spaces, or fostering collaboration through our co-working space. I’m thrilled to continue supporting other businesses and nonprofits in their journeys and to expand these efforts in exciting new directions.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three key qualities have been central to my journey: resilience, strategic thinking, and adaptability. These attributes helped me navigate the challenges I faced, from launching a nonprofit to shifting focus toward my consulting firm and shared co-working space.

Resilience: The ability to keep pushing forward when things get tough has been critical in my career. Whether it was navigating unexpected challenges in my real estate investments or pivoting my nonprofit’s operations during the pandemic, resilience kept me grounded. My advice for those early in their journey is to embrace setbacks as learning opportunities. Resilience is built over time, so don’t be discouraged by obstacles; instead, view them as ways to grow and strengthen your resolve.

Strategic Thinking: Knowing how to plan long-term while managing the day-to-day details has been a major asset in building my businesses and helping others grow theirs. Being able to see the bigger picture, anticipate future needs, and break down those goals into actionable steps is vital. For those just starting, I recommend dedicating time to honing your strategic thinking skills. Study others who have succeeded in your field, practice setting goals, and learn to assess risks and opportunities.

Adaptability: The ability to pivot when necessary and adjust to new circumstances has been especially important in recent years. During the pandemic, I shifted much of my focus toward consulting and providing virtual services, which allowed my businesses to thrive. For anyone early in their journey, being adaptable means staying open to change and not being afraid to move in a different direction if it serves your long-term goals. Learn to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the market, your clients, and your personal growth.

Ultimately, each of these qualities has enabled me to create meaningful impact through my work, and I believe they can serve as valuable tools for anyone on their entrepreneurial or nonprofit journey. Focus on building resilience, thinking strategically, and staying adaptable, and you’ll find success in even the most challenging times.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am actively seeking like-minded individuals and organizations to collaborate with on projects that align with our mission of empowering communities and fostering growth. Collaboration is at the heart of innovation, and I believe that by pooling our diverse skills and perspectives, we can create even greater impact together. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, or creative thinker, I welcome the opportunity to explore how we can work together to drive meaningful change. If you share a passion for making a difference and are open to exploring new ideas, let’s connect and see how we can support each other’s visions!

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