Darcy Young is a freelance project developer
& process designer based in Chicago.

Hi, I’m Darcy.

I love helping people get things done —
from high-level strategy to nitty-gritty
execution & everything in between.

I specialize in bringing clarity to projects from start to finish, combining strategy with execution. My approach is tailored, hands-on, and centered on making you/your team’s lives easier.

So if you’ve got projects hanging over your head, if your workspace feels chaotic, if your team is stretched too thin —  reach out and say hi.

  • I'm have 15+ years of experience helping organizations and their special projects run smoothly and effectively. I specialize in partnering with non-profits and small businesses to carry out important initiatives.

    I'm a certified project manager and recently completed my master’s in public policy from the University of Chicago (go Maroons! 📣). My hobbies include curating my Little Free Library, helping my pit bull Moose canvass our neighborhood for compliments, and playing volleyball whenever my schedule and lower back permit.

    LinkedIn

Select projects

  • Creating a sustainable system to read and respond to all print and email sent to HQ at Obama for America '08.

  • Producing a successful outreach strategy and fundraising event with Gloria Steinem for the Women's Media Center and Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation.

  • Spearheading an org-wide shift in social media strategy for 50+ regional offices at Teach For America.

  • Crafting a content and execution strategy that generated millions of organic impressions at 9/11 Day.

  • Implementing transparency and accountability measures (including creating a wiki to house all information in one place) on One Tail at a Time's associate board.

  • Leading a project team to successfully onboard a new data convergence apparatus & launch a major website redesign at the American Library Association.

Kind words

  • “…The remarkable critical thinking ability she brings to analysis and problem-solving; her courage in working toward innovative solutions…Darcy is the strongest team member I have ever managed and one of the sharpest colleagues I've ever had."

    Shuhei Yamamoto
    Managing Director
    Teach For America

  • "Darcy has been a true asset to our team from the day she arrived. Her deep knowledge of how systems work and how to measure and support high performance across large institutions are major strengths."

    Tracie D. Hall
    Executive Director
    American Library Association

  • "I've worked with a lot of great people in my career thus far but Darcy is definitely one of the best. She's very self-motivated, creative, positive, funny and so smart...If the opportunity to work with her knocks on your door, open it, it'll be the best decision you ever make."

    Monique Antoinette Millet
    Director of Social Media
    Teach For America

  • "Her problem-solving skills and ability to handle complex situations and relationships led her to become the most trusted employee on my team with the widest portfolio of responsibilities."

    Dan Griffin
    Ops-Comm Manager
    Obama for America ‘08

  • "Darcy excels at analyzing and evaluating the effectiveness of strategies that drive internal and external operations. She's a strong problem-solver, looking for new ideas…to help define a problem before determining options."

    Ana Vargas
    Managing Director
    Teach For America

  • "Darcy has expertly managed multiple critical projects for ALA, including a large-scale and complex website redesign and launch, and an organization-wide business analytics implementation. Her strategic thinking, adaptability, and engaging communication style were an essential part of our success with these efforts..."

    Rebecca Headrick
    CITO
    American Library Association

  • “Darcy and her skill set were exactly what we needed as an organization at a pivotal moment in our history…She jumped in feet first and tackled opportunities with an unmatched set of expertise and intuition."

    Ryan Walls
    Executive Director
    9/11 Day

 FAQs

Here’s a quick rundown of
how I work, from project types
to pricing and processes.

  • I focus on project development, web design, and operational strategy. Whether it's creating a streamlined website, building a knowledge base, or managing special projects from start to finish, I’m here to make your processes simpler and more effective.

  • I blend strategy with execution. From concept development to final implementation, I ensure that your projects are managed efficiently, meeting deadlines and delivering quality results.

  • Absolutely. I offer one-hour consultations to discuss ideas, brainstorm solutions, and provide actionable next steps.

  • Pricing varies depending on the project type and length, but I’m transparent and offer clear packages. Retainers and flash services are tailored to fit your budget and needs.

  • Definitely. A few recent examples are listed on my homepage, and I’m happy to provide more specifics if you’re curious about what a particular type of project might look like.

  • The simplest way is to email me. Tell me a bit about what’s going on, and we’ll set up a time to discuss it. If it feels like the right fit, we’ll go from there.

Contact

Logan Square
Chicago, IL

Hours
Tuesday–Friday
10am–4pm (~ish)

Email
hi@darcyyoung.com