Modern Work Porch Chats: “Leave Me Alone for Coffee, Join Me for Wine”
Meet: Kate Lockard.
Conference Planner, Nonprofit Consultant, and Self-Proclaimed Happy Hour Enthusiast
What does modern work really look like when it steps off the screen and onto the front porch?
For Kate Lockard, it looks like quiet mornings with coffee, a well-crafted to-do list, and the occasional conference call while weeding the garden. It also looks like evening porch chats with neighbors, spontaneous drive-bys from clients, and a standing invitation for a glass of wine.
In this Front Porch Chat, we sat down with Kate, conference planner, nonprofit consultant, and self-proclaimed happy hour enthusiast, to talk about how she blends strategy with empathy, work with life, and hustle with humanity. Spoiler: her porch sign would absolutely say “Leave me alone for coffee, join me for wine.”
Let’s step onto the porch and see how Kate’s approach to modern work might just inspire your next big idea, or at least your next glass of wine.
Happy Hour, Dog Walkers, and Open-Door Vibes
Kate’s porch isn’t just a place, it’s a lifestyle. “My front porch moments happen a little later in the evening,” she told us. “I’m not a morning person. Leave me alone for the coffee but come on up in the afternoon or evening for a glass of wine.”
She even has a neighbor who drives by to see if she’s out front and ready to chat. “I do have a sort of open-door policy,” she laughed. “If the front door is open, you know that wood door, it’s an invitation.”
Her porch is where she connects with retired neighbors, dog walkers, and fellow dreamers. It’s where conversations about vacations, kids, and community happen, often with a glass of wine in hand.
The Summer of Kate: Slowing Down to Speed Up
Kate’s work is fast paced. She plans conferences for nine different nonprofit groups. But she’s learned the power of intentional pause. Enter the “Summer of Kate,” a season where she aligns her schedule with her daughter’s and steps back to recharge.
“I’ve learned that slowing down helps me ramp back up,” she said. “Sometimes I finish work at the airport just so I can be fully present when I get home.”
That’s the front porch spirit: slowing down just enough to speed up. At leadRpoint, we help leaders build these moments into their workflows, knowing that clarity often comes when we step back.
Empathy, Mission, and Netflix
Kate only works with nonprofits. “Doing it for the dollars didn’t make sense to me,” she said. “Now I work with groups that are all trying to do good in the world,” she says. “And that love and empathy for the world allows me to step in and work with them directly.”
Her secret to collaboration? Empathy. “I can jump into a room full of CEOs and just talk about life. What we’re watching, what we’ve read. You take out the titles and just connect as humans.”
That’s the kind of leadership we champion at leadRpoint, people-first, mission-driven, and rooted in real connection.
If Her Porch Had a Sign…
We asked Kate what her front porch sign would say. Her answer? “Would you like a glass of wine?” It’s the perfect invitation, warm, welcoming, and just a little cheeky.
Ready for Your Front Porch Moment?
Kate’s front porch isn’t just a place, it’s a mindset. It’s where quiet mornings spark clarity, and evening chats build connection. Her story reminds us that modern work isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing it with intention, empathy, and a little bit of porch-side charm.
If you’re looking for someone who can bring calm to the chaos, strategy to the swirl, and maybe even a glass of wine to the brainstorm, Kate Lockard is your person.
And if you’re ready to build your own front porch moments where your team aligns, your ideas grow, and your leadership feels more human, leadRpoint is here to help. Let’s slow down just enough to speed up, together.
Work with Kate: She’s mission-driven, people-first, and knows how to turn chaos into connection.
Partner with leadRpoint: We build the porch. You bring the team. Together, we create momentum, one meaningful conversation at a time.