After 25 years in the business world, including over 12 years as a nonprofit leader, nine years as an entrepreneur, and 100% of the time working with people, Wendy Adams came to a conclusion that “Houston, we have a problem” — a leadership problem, that is. So, in July 2023, she launched Cultivate for Good, a leadership consultancy that empowers leaders of both nonprofits and those within corporate leadership to reach their highest potential.
Adams asks the tough questions and digs into the nitty-gritty details of what works and what doesn’t before presenting a strategic plan of action that exchanges lackluster participation for enthusiasm and puts her clients on the road to success.
“We all need to be reminded, encouraged, and held accountable,” said Adams. “If we don’t have a clear picture of our starting point, we won’t recognize our destination. Therefore, I always begin by establishing a level of self-awareness, recognizing leadership style, and analyzing how both influence their leadership capacity to either flourish or flounder.”
During each session with her clients, which lasts a minimum of six months, Adams incorporates tools from the GiANT Leadership success kit, such as the Peace Index, 70:30 Principle, Know Yourself to Lead Yourself, and the 5 Voices Team Assessment.
“Are you a leader who is tired of being stuck on the wheel of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again, yet expected to produce exponentially greater results? Have you hit the wall in your leadership journey where you’re stressed out, burnt out, or have you checked out? Do you recognize that it’s time for a reset, but you don’t know where to begin? Does every day feel like just another treadmill without the passion for leadership that you used to experience?”
If any of these scenarios resonate with you, Cultivate for Good is the answer you’ve been searching for. As a certified fundraising executive and certified 5 Voices guide, Adams offers executive coaching, team leadership coaching, group dynamic workshops, and board engagement workshops. She also provides motivational keynote workshops and in-depth retreats.
“Leaders worth following are teachable and humble in their approach and interactions with others. They ask and receive help when needed. They will recognize and show preference to those whom they are called to lead and serve, and they can move forward when difficult decisions are necessary. Likewise, team members must be able to identify their voice and be confident and conscientious about how to speak out clearly. They must listen effectively to produce productivity and purpose, and recognize and respect that all voices are necessary for team success.”
Adams continued, “Too often, there is misalignment, inconsistency, and overall lack of clarity in message and mission. And frustration generally ensues. As leaders, we are either driving progress or we’re the ones driving the problem. An unhealthy organization culture consists of confusion, inconsistency, distrust, and miscommunication. Everyone must feel authentically heard, seen, and understood in order for a team to be successful in leading the charge of their vision.”
In 2021, Adams achieved a long-desired professional goal when she earned her Certified Fundraising Executive certification. She became a guide through GiANT Leadership in May 2024, and then in October, she added the 5 Voices certification to her success kit. Besides her career in executive leadership, Adams is an active member of Heritage Baptist Church, serves as an ambassador with the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance, is a board member with the Central Virginia Academy for Nonprofit Excellence, and is a member of the Piedmont chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
“Lynchburg is a town built on the foundation of strong local business presence, invested grassroot leadership, a community-driven mission, sustainable growth, innovation, and authentic hospitality. Each of these characteristics directly aligns with Cultivate for Good’s mission and core values. We cultivate relational leadership by developing the practice of healthy, sustainable, authentic relationships, and define its significance for team, organizational, and community impact,” said Adams.
Love Heals, which was awarded Nonprofit of the Year in 2023 by the Central Virginia Business Coalition, said, “I can confidently say that Love Heals would not exist without the wisdom and leadership of Wendy Adams. She was instrumental in helping the organization start, and a few years later, she provided Godly discernment and clear next steps that enabled Love Heals to find a path forward. Wendy has the knowledge and presence to lead a group of longtime leaders, but she also has the humility and adaptability to guide a group of young, eager professionals just starting out.” GN
