About
Artist, author, and social entrepreneur, in pursuit of economic justice in tech.
Articles by David
-
Program and Business Development Manager
Program and Business Development Manager
We're looking to make our first full-time hire. We need a hustler who is passionate, mission-driven, and comfortable in…
1 Comment
Activity
4K followers
-
David Delmar Sentíes shared thisYes. Early career software engineers are still being hired. They come from Resilient Coders. Here’s why.David Delmar Sentíes shared thisOver the past several months, I’ve been conversing with with CTOs and tech leaders across industries. A clear pattern keeps showing up: the market is shifting, expectations are rising, and engineering teams are rethinking what “job-ready” really means. Here are four themes I keep hearing: 1️⃣ Engineers who can use AI as part of their workflow Leaders are looking for people who can build with AI tools, not just code without them. In many cases, AI fluency is becoming a meaningful differentiator in hiring. 2️⃣ The ability to ship, not just study Teams need engineers who can take a problem, work through ambiguity, and deliver something usable. Real-world output matters. 3️⃣ Strong engineering judgment in an AI-augmented world AI can generate code, but it cannot replace judgment. Leaders still need people who can debug, evaluate tradeoffs, and build systems that are reliable, secure, and maintainable. 4️⃣ The ability to ramp quickly and operate like part of the team Teams are leaner, onboarding cycles are tighter, and the expectation is clear: contribute early, collaborate well, and add value quickly. The bar is moving from “can you code?” to “can you build, with AI, in a real-world environment?” That shift is exactly what we’re building toward at Resilient Coders. ❓ If you’re a software engineer, which of these feels most true in your daily work, and what’s still missing? #AI #FutureOfWork #TechTalent #WorkforceDevelopment #SoftwareEngineering
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted thisResilient Coders is expanding its board, and we're looking for one more person to join. It's a very small board: Four of us at the moment, and we're expanding to seven. It's a kitchen cabinet: a tight group of people who care deeply about the work this organization does to expand equitable access to good, high paying jobs in tech. For the past decade+, we've been an award-winning, first-of-its-kind coding bootcamp, and now we're in the midst of an expansion into AI. We're graduating exactly the type of candidate companies are hiring right now, and our placement numbers are growing. Every board member is expected to contribute to discussions about the organization's strategic direction, but each member also has their own "domain." What we're looking for in this particular role is two-fold: 1. We're looking for someone with deep connections in the philanthropy ecosystems of Boston and/or Philly. No, this is not code for "we need you to give us lots of money," though, if you did, I don't think anyone would get in your way. This is more about strategic positioning during a moment of change, and brokering conversations with prospective donors and institutions with whom we're not yet working. We're doing well, with a multi-year runway. But we want to grow our partnerships ahead of another expansion. 2. We also want this person to have some experience with other nonprofit boards. Maybe you're a governance nerd. We've stuck to our startup roots for a bit too long, and our board meetings are (very productive, very congenial) conversations among people who care about the same things, but they aren't very... official? We get the sense we could probably be running a tighter ship. Come tell us all the shit we're doing wrong. Bring a gavel. Our current tiny board is diverse, including White, Black, and Hispanic representation among the four of us; two of us men and two women. We each approach this work from different backgrounds, with perspectives that overlap but never completely. The time commitment is minimal: Quarterly 90m meetings over zoom, with occasional calls, budget reviews, introductions, etc. Do you know someone? Tag them here, and/or message me directly. If you think this person might be in your network, please share. Update: I've gotten enough interest that I've created a very short google form to capture it in one place: https://lnkd.in/eVU4kZ4M Ayanna Lott-Pollard David Mendels Dunia Goncalves Chiderah Okoye
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted thisPersistent, humble authenticity to who you already are is such an underrated bellwether as your organization navigates its biggest changes.
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted thisHope is a discipline.
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted thisOnce you’ve invested a piece of your soul into whatever it is you’re building, you immediately start losing your ability to explore it objectively. Rather than pursuing your idea with curiosity, you pursue it with an agenda. You project yourself onto it, rather than approaching it with openness. You become a little bit worse at noticing. You assign a disproportionate amount of legitimacy to the data that validates your idea, and then all the other stuff slips into the white noise around you without you even noticing it. You’ll recognize it by the discomfort you feel when you encounter some indication that your idea might not work out. If you catch yourself feeling emotionally invested in an early idea, take a step back. Remember that even bad data is good if it brings you clarity. Just stay curious.
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted thisOrgs in transition: You might find that the thing that most mattered about your organization didn’t really change at all as you pivoted to an entirely new model. Maybe it’s your “why,” or your covenant with your community, or maybe even your ethos or the culture that permeates the organization. Sometimes you don’t find the support beams until you start knocking down walls, and then there it is, quietly persisting behind the drywall and six coats of paint. That’s what you rebuild around. What’s your organization’s support beam?
-
David Delmar Sentíes posted this“Anger imprisons you. I would never want to be so angry that I’m immobilized.” Raja Shehadeh. And yet, anger can also nourish. There’s a balance. Getting all the goodness from your anger and avoiding being “immobilized” by it starts by naming all of the factors you don’t control, and letting them go. You win no awards by holding onto it all. It doesn’t make you resilient. Resilience requires a negotiation between what you keep with you and what you let go.
-
David Delmar Sentíes shared thisOnward.David Delmar Sentíes shared thisWe’re excited to share that Resilient Coders has been selected for New Profit's 2026 Economic Mobility Catalyze Cohort. New Profit is backing 16 organizations advancing economic opportunity across the country. Over the next year, we’ll receive unrestricted funding, leadership development support, and strategic advisory partnership while joining a peer learning community of leaders working to expand pathways to income generation, remove barriers to opportunity, and promote long-term financial health and wealth creation. For us, this comes at a pivotal moment. As industry expectations shift, we’re evolving how we prepare our engineers to deliver impact from day one. Support like this strengthens the infrastructure behind our mission so we can build what lasts for our community. Grateful for the trust, the partnership, and the incredible leaders we’ll be learning alongside this year. Learn more about the cohort: https://hubs.ly/Q041R_QY0 #EconomicMobility #SystemsChange #EconomicOpportunity #NewProfit
-
David Delmar Sentíes shared thisThis is big news for Resilient Coders and even bigger news for employers looking to hire AI-native, production-ready engineers. Our "sales" process has always been predicated on transparency: You see for yourself what our grads are capable of. This is another bold step in that direction. Thank you Ayanna Lott-Pollard for your transformative leadership.David Delmar Sentíes shared thisWe built something to better reflect the brilliance that already exists in our community! Resilient Coders just launched a new hiring website to make it easier for employers to see, understand, and connect with our engineers. It’s simple, clear, and meant to remove friction for everyone involved. For employers, it offers visibility into talent that’s ready to contribute from day one. For our alumni, it creates more pathways and exposure. For our broader tech ecosystem, it helps make alternative pathways into software engineering easier to navigate and trust. This is one small step toward making the work we’re all doing in workforce development and tech access more connected. If you’re hiring, mentoring, or just curious, take a look: https://bit.ly/rchires Spevial thanks to our team, Stephanie C., Mel de Leon and Senior Designer, Malachi Atkinson for bringing the vision to life. #stayresilient
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked thisEvery year, Boston debates who’s on the Boston Magazine 150 Most Influential Bostonians list, who made it, who got left off, and who should’ve been included. But in my reality, there’s no debate. So I made my own graphic. #1 Most IMPACTFUL Bostonian in my book is: Tony Richards Sr. Not because of headlines or titles, but because of impact. A man who has quietly shaped generations, building discipline, opening doors, and creating real opportunity for thousands of young people across the country. More than 35 years ago, he created No Books No Ball Basketball Program Not just a program, but a standard: no books, no ball. What started with money out of his own pocket grew into something much bigger, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has always been 100% volunteer-run, sustained year after year through grassroots support and community sponsorships. A place where basketball opens the door, but education, literacy, wellness and mentorship are what carry you forward. For decades, he’s poured into Boston’s youth, creating access, building structure, and shaping futures. We’ve had multiple players go on to the NBA and even WNBA, but even more have gone on to build meaningful careers, lawyers, law enforcement professionals, educators, business leaders, entrepreneurs, tradesmen, and owners of various companies. Through those doors have come not just athletes, but leaders, people making an impact across every corner of our economy and community. And he did all of this while working as a Local 7 ironworker, early mornings before most people were awake, climbing steel, walking beams high above the city, welding and bolting together the structures that shape Boston’s skyline. Then as a bridge inspector on a 24hour schedule of long, demanding days in tough conditions, and still, at the end of it, finding the time and energy to pour into young people, to coach, to mentor, to lead. That’s not influence for a moment. That’s influence over generations. So while the lists come and go, we’ll continue to celebrate our own. We don’t wait for recognition, we build it, we live it, and we pass it on. Tony Richards Sr. Boston’s Most Influential.
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisany of my Boston friends have anyone in mind who would be a good fit for this? David Delmar Sentíes, Jalina Suggs, Latoya Gayle, Keisha Johnson, Zachery Tapp, Andrew S.David Delmar Sentíes liked thisAcross secondary and higher education, teachers worry that reliance on AI is eroding students' critical thinking and their ability to struggle through hard problems. For computer science teachers, there is increased tension. Software development is changing faster than most curricula can address, and major employers now require their engineers to use AI tools on the job. But there is little guidance on how to introduce these tools in a CS classroom without undermining student learning. This summer, the City of Boston's Office of Emerging Technology is partnering with Madison Park Technical Vocational High School and the Creative Computing Lab at the Harvard Graduate School of Education to investigate how high school computer science teachers can prepare students for careers in engineering today. Together, we hope to find approaches that ensure students learn to write and understand code on their own. We are looking for a fellow to launch this effort with us. They will work directly with teachers at Madison Park and Professor Karen Brennan, who is dedicated to designing joyful learning experiences for computer science students. The fellow will develop and test activities that put students in the role of a working engineer -- in particular, finding and fixing bugs in AI-generated code and using AI to learn engineering practices like source control that make software ready to ship. If you're interested in this fellowship, we'd love to hear from you. Applications close in one week: https://bit.ly/oet-2026
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked thisI am deeply honored to be included in Boston Magazine's annual list of the 150 Most Influential Bostonians. To be listed among our city’s icons and changemakers – the people who inspire me daily – is surreal. What makes this recognition even more special is knowing that so many of the influential voices on this list have been directly involved in Breaktime's growth and impact. Many of the 2026 honorees are the mentors who sat across from me when Breaktime was just an idea, offering the wisdom I needed to grow as a leader. Others are partners who have stood alongside us – individuals and organizations who have fueled our evolution, from our early days at Portland Street to our new permanent home at 63 Franklin Street. Above all, this recognition feels like a testament to the collective power of the Breaktime community. It’s a reminder of the responsibility we carry – and it’s fuel to keep pushing, keep building, and keep ensuring that every young person in Boston has the opportunity to thrive. Thank you, Boston Magazine, for the spotlight – and thank you to everyone who has believed in and invested in me throughout my journey. https://lnkd.in/eyjDtDPP
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked thisLast Sunday and Monday I said I knew you were on LinkedIn because you might be an executive eager to move up or ready to move on. I am glad to share this follow up piece about my focus on 4 key phases of landing that next big thing in mission driven leadership: Readiness, Storytelling, Targeting and Closing. Get in touch if you think I can help you get there. https://lnkd.in/ekAA9cpq
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked thisWe just wrapped up another unforgettable Second Harvest retreat in Spain with a remarkable group of people. Words fail me right now, but once I emerge from my state of bliss I’ll do a full write up. Thank you all who attended and made this dream come true.
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked this`$ devbox create –name john` John is joining us as a Member of Technical Staff to lead and grow our US engineering team. He's the kind of engineer who gravitates toward the hard people problems as much as the technical ones. Building teams, raising the bar on craft, and making sure great products actually ship. He's already jumped in and hit the ground running improving your experience on Namespace. Welcome, John! 🎉 We're hiring! Link in the comments. 🔗
-
David Delmar Sentíes liked thisDavid Delmar Sentíes liked thisBack at TBF! 🙌 I recently rejoined The The Boston Foundation after a decade-plus at some great nonprofits and a fast-growing national foundation. I’m excited to work with the talented team here (and our many partners!) to help donors and fundholders make meaningful investments—in Boston and beyond. I’d love to catch up, hear what you’re up to, and share some of the many bright spots and opportunities we’re seeing and working on. Reach out anytime :) #forwardtogether
Experience
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Education
Publications
-
What We Build With Power: The fight for economic justice in tech
Beacon Press
See publicationThis is a historically conscious manifesto calling for worker organizing, led by Black and Latinx technologists. It was written in the city with the deepest income inequalities in America, across the river from the most prestigious universities in the world. It's a book of paradoxes and uncomfortable truths.
This book has a specific purpose: We are in dire need of a shift in culture, as the next few years bring about the end of the jobs on which our communities of color depend. We need…This is a historically conscious manifesto calling for worker organizing, led by Black and Latinx technologists. It was written in the city with the deepest income inequalities in America, across the river from the most prestigious universities in the world. It's a book of paradoxes and uncomfortable truths.
This book has a specific purpose: We are in dire need of a shift in culture, as the next few years bring about the end of the jobs on which our communities of color depend. We need you with us.
Honors & Awards
-
Young American Leaders Program
Harvard Business School
Selected to be a part of a group of 10 Bostonians operating in the intersection of public and private sectors for collective impact.
-
50 on Fire
BostInno
-
Ten Outstanding Young Leaders (TOYL) Award
The Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce
-
MassTLC Distinguished Leader Award
MassTLC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_Ssnhf353M
-
Rosoff Award Finalist
The Ad Club
-
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Boston University College of Fine Arts
Other similar profiles
Explore more posts
-
Donor Advised Fund Research Collaborative (DAFRC)
Reinventing the Cycle: Adapting Relationship Fundraising for Donors Who Use DAFs examines how donor advised funds impact relationship-based fundraising. Drawing on interviews with 46 professional fundraisers, the report offers practical strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding DAF donors by introducing a DAF-specific fundraising cycle, highlighting challenges and opportunities for each part of the cycle. The report also explores the roles that fundraisers play in the DAF giving process and provides actionable insights and recommendations for professional fundraisers working with donors who use DAFs. Access the full report: https://lnkd.in/gFQb-U5A #DonorAdvisedFunds #DAFResearch #DAFInsights #Fundraising #DAFFundraising
3 Comments -
Avalon Consulting Group
📈 The Fundraising Effectiveness Project has released Q1 2025 data, and the news continues to be mixed. Dollars raised increased 3.6%, but the number of donors dipped again, down 1.3%. The smallest donor group ($1 - $100) saw an even steeper YOY decline of 11.1%. 🎯 This means that fundraisers’ work to retain and expand the pool of smaller donors is critically important. A balanced and diversified donor base is essential for both today’s stability and tomorrow’s growth. 💪 By not only managing costs, but also making strategic investments, it is possible to counter the trend of smaller-donor attrition that is impacting our sector. 📊 To achieve this, follow the data—including both industry benchmarks and your particular file’s history. This will be the best way to chart your organization’s path to fundraising success. Please reach out if you need better tools or strategic input as you navigate this trend in your nonprofit. Avalon is here for you! Link to article: https://lnkd.in/eubasvqT #fundraising #benchmarks #retention #datadriven #strategy
-
Apex Legacy Consultants
How do Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) influence relationship-based fundraising and what can you do about it? DAF Research Collaborative just released a new report that dives into that question, drawing on interviews with 46 professional fundraisers. It introduces a DAF-specific fundraising cycle and outlines practical strategies for identifying, cultivating, soliciting, and stewarding DAF donors. The research also highlights the unique challenges and opportunities DAFs present and how fundraisers can more effectively support donors using them. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gFQb-U5A
-
LifeLegacy
Nonprofits are constantly balancing the need for expert fundraising support with the realities of limited budgets. Hiring a full-time development director or fundraising team can be expensive, and not every organization has the resources to do so. This is where fractional fundraisers come in—a flexible, cost-effective solution that makes strategic sense for many nonprofits. Learn more about fractional gift officers and how they can help grow your organization's mission: https://lnkd.in/gjPdwqnB
1 Comment -
Instrumentl
✨ It’s a new week, and we've got another #MondayMotivation for all the fundraisers out there. ✨ According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project’s Q1 2025 report, nonprofits raised 3.6% more dollars than last year — but there’s a catch. That growth was fueled mostly by major gifts, while smaller donor support continues to decline. 📊 The data tells an important story: 📌Donor count dropped 1.3% overall. 📌Small donors ($1–$100) fell by 11%, even though they make up over half of all givers. 📌Retention dipped again — from 18.3% to 18.1%. 💡The takeaway? More money doesn’t always mean more stability. Without nurturing your grassroots donors, long-term sustainability is at risk. Here are some ways to strengthen your base: 1️⃣ Re-engage lapsed donors with a personal touch — a call, note, or quick check-in. 2️⃣ Launch a micro-campaign for gifts under $100, celebrating every contribution. 3️⃣ Make retention a team effort — aim to keep 10% more first-time donors this year. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eubasvqT #Fundraising #Instrumentl #Nonprofits
-
Park East Bookkeeping for Non Profits
The report combines Giving USA data with CCS research, client insights, and frontline expertise to give a clear picture of giving trends, donor behavior, and sector dynamics, along with actionable guidance for fundraisers and nonprofit executives. https://lnkd.in/gQ3R3Wj9
-
Windmill Hill Consulting
Fundraising works best when strategy and structure support every action. The Fundraising Toolkit brings together WHC’s most relied-on templates and guides to help growing nonprofits create systems that make fundraising more intentional—and less overwhelming. Inside the Toolkit, teams will find practical tools to strengthen donor communications, set clearer goals, organize stewardship rhythms, and guide planning conversations with staff and Board. Whether you’re refining your year-end approach or building a roadmap for 2026, these resources help you move from reactive to strategic. Explore the Toolkit → https://lnkd.in/gD6P-NHC #FundraisingStrategy #NonprofitResources #DonorEngagement #GrowingNonprofits #NonprofitLeadership #ResilientFundraising
-
BrandRaise
Strong fundraising starts with one simple truth: start where the relationship is. Too often, nonprofits feel pressure to “move fast” with major donor prospects—make the intro, schedule the meeting, get to the ask. But real sustainability doesn’t come from speed. It comes from connection. That’s why we teach teams to pause, reflect, and ask a different question: “Where is my relationship with this person today—and what’s the next right step?” Our Relationship Roadmap helps committees, Boards, and leaders cultivate major donors with intention by meeting people exactly where they are. No forcing. No rushing. No transactional energy, just trust, curiosity, and values leading the way. Because when you focus on connection first? The rest follows naturally. If your fundraising feels stuck or overly dependent on a few people, this approach creates room for deeper alignment, stronger relationships, and long-term support, one thoughtful touchpoint at a time. Sustainable fundraising starts with clarity and grows through trust. And you can build that, even with a small team. You can read more here: https://lnkd.in/ebw9J_hc #major gifts #nonprofitfundraising #donorengagement #brandraise #nonprofitsustainability #communitybuilding
-
Quant Solutions, LLC
🎭 NONPROFIT BUDGETING: BEYOND COMPLIANCE Grant funders evaluate budget quality as part of application review, yet most nonprofits submit projections based on unreliable financial data. Common budgeting barriers we see: - Program costs mixed with administrative expenses - No tracking of cost-per-participant by program type - Grant restrictions not properly allocated in historical data - Board-ready budget presentations impossible with messy books Professional cleanup enables strategic budgeting: ✅ Program-specific cost analysis for realistic projections ✅ Grant compliance tracking supporting funding applications ✅ Board presentations that connect budget to mission impact ✅ Multi-year planning based on reliable growth patterns Your 2026 budget should attract funders, not raise questions. Nonprofit leaders: Is your financial foundation ready for grant season?
-
Aha Apps
Is "Free" Fundraising Sabotaging Your Donor Trust? 🤯 Platforms promoting 0% fees often rely on hidden tipping models and can restrict your donor data. This lack of transparency damages vital relationships. Discover the crucial ethical questions nonprofits must ask before choosing a platform, and why prioritizing data control and transparency is key to sustainable growth. Learn how to protect your mission on our blog: ~ https://lnkd.in/gJAkqNxK #NonprofitCRM #FundraisingPlatforms #DonorData #Transparency #AhaApps #CRM #AhaImpact
-
GivingTuesday
Peer-to-peer fundraising can: Drive growth Attract first-time donors Empower smaller teams Strengthen connections with local communities Open the door to long-term growth through strategies like recurring giving And yet, much of P2P’s potential remains untapped. Get the full story here:
Explore top content on LinkedIn
Find curated posts and insights for relevant topics all in one place.
View top content