Non-Profits, AI and Salesforce with Tom Leddy
In 1999, a young developer named Tom Leddy started his career writing C++ and Delphi code. Back then, the internet was slow, software was shipped on floppy disks, and deploying applications meant handling flat file databases instead of cloud infrastructure.
Fast forward two decades, and Tom is now a Salesforce Technical Architect Director, helping nonprofits, schools, and governments build scalable systems on Salesforce. But his journey wasn’t linear—it was filled with pivotal moments, tough decisions, and the constant evolution of technology.
In this episode of TAGS Podcast, Tom reflects on:
✔️ The shifts in technology from on-premise CRMs to cloud-based platforms
✔️ AI’s impact on nonprofits and why it’s both exciting and challenging
✔️ How the Salesforce Well-Architected framework is helping businesses stay scalable
✔️ The future of AI and Agent Force
From Writing C++ to Designing Telecom Infrastructure
In his first job, Tom wasn’t just coding for fun—he was solving a real-world problem. At the time, designing a cell tower required weeks of manual calculations by engineers. The process was slow, expensive, and inefficient.
Tom’s task? Automate the entire thing.
He worked with an engineer from South Africa who sent him complex mathematical formulas, which he then converted into C++ code. What once took weeks was now reduced to 30 seconds—a breakthrough that revolutionized the telecom industry.
But this wasn’t just about making businesses more profitable. The software played a key role in expanding cell coverage in Sub-Saharan Africa, bringing connectivity to millions who had never even used a landline before.
The Leap to CRM: SAP, Salesforce & the Shift to Cloud
By the early 2000s, Tom transitioned from software development to architectural strategy. He worked with SAP CRM, an on-premise system that required heavy configurations and infrastructure planning.
But in 2008, something changed. Clients started asking about a new cloud-based CRM—Salesforce.
At first, it was dismissed. “Salesforce? Just a basic CRM.” But it wasn’t long before businesses started shifting away from SAP, citing its complexity, cost, and slow deployment cycles.
Tom saw the writing on the wall. If he wanted to stay ahead, he had to pivot. He took a job at a company that used both SAP and Salesforce, and gradually, his focus shifted to the cloud.
That move defined the rest of his career.
AI & Nonprofits: The Challenges & the Untapped Potential
Today, Tom works closely with nonprofits, schools, and government agencies—organizations that often struggle with limited resources, outdated systems, and fragmented data.
Many nonprofits are now curious about AI, but the reality isn’t as simple as plugging in a chatbot.
🔹 Most lack in-house AI expertise and rely on external partners
🔹 They accumulate too many free tech tools, creating data silos
🔹 AI adoption varies by nonprofit type—some focus on automation, others on outreach
One nonprofit he’s helping is using Agent Force to automate transport coordination for homeless animals—matching drivers with pickup locations using AI-powered scheduling. The potential for AI in the nonprofit world is massive, but execution is key.
Why Every Salesforce Consultant Should Know Well-Architected
In 2021, Tom joined the team behind Salesforce Well-Architected, a framework designed to help organizations build scalable, maintainable Salesforce implementations.
Before this, best practices were scattered—hidden in various blogs, documents, and personal experiences. Now, Salesforce is making architectural guidance more accessible for everyone in the ecosystem.
The biggest takeaway? Technical debt is real, and it’s expensive.
🔹 Over-customizing without a plan can cripple scalability
🔹 Too many free tools lead to fragmented, unmanageable data
🔹 A well-structured Salesforce org prevents costly rework
If you’re a Salesforce consultant, architect, or developer, the Well-Architected framework is a must-know resource.
🔮 The Future of AI, Agent Force & Salesforce Careers
With Agent Force and AI-driven automation on the rise, Tom sees a fundamental shift in how Salesforce professionals work.
Key changes ahead:
✔️ Developers will focus more on AI orchestration rather than pure coding
✔️ Admins will become AI strategists, guiding implementation across teams
✔️ Architects will need AI-aware design patterns to build scalable solutions
But there’s also a warning—LLMs (Large Language Models) can be overconfident. AI doesn’t always get it right, and it’s crucial to validate outputs rather than blindly trust them.
Other Podcast Episodes
References
Latest from Our Research
Queries? Lets talk
