Pamela Say, BA, MBA, CFRE

President, Seed Planters

 Pamela is a sought-after, nationally-published author, speaker, and veteran administrator. Pamela rose through the ranks in higher education completing her career as a senior-level VP in marketing, fundraising, and enrollment management. Her award winning work leading high performance teams commands international attention. Say has raised millions of dollars for non-profit missions, inspired staff to smash through marketing metrics, and coached best-in-class teams. Say is a phenomenal choice for conference keynotes. Her signature speech, “A Metamorphoses: Emerging into Executive Leadership” was called “the best keynote we ever had by one conference director.

Say has been featured in Advancing Philanthropy Magazine (a global publication of the Association of Fundraising Professionals) in a column on discovering your personal best leadership. In an interview with the Chronicle of Philanthropy, she contributed to a special insert entitled Fixing the College Fundraising Crunch, and her book Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue was highlighted in the national Wiley Journal Fundraising Success. ​

THE SEED PLANTER STORY

Pam's speaking and consulting company is called Seed Planters. It's a business with a purpose. When she was a teenager and admittedly a handful, she overheard her father talking to her mother about raising teens. “I just plant the seeds," he said. "They may not hear me now, but I’ll keep planting seeds. Someday, they will take root and grow.” Richard’s lessons did take root, but not before Pam went through some intense personal challenges in her life. She persevered. Inspired by the people who invested in her life, she made "planting seeds" her mission. "I love to get out and talk to groups – big and small," she shares. "Whether we are exploring strategies to grow organizations or delving into leadership topics – my personal mission is to plant seeds." A Seed Planter is a person who says or does something to show others they have value. Seed Planters invest in their own growth and in the growth of those around them. A Seed Planter knows their innate gifts and uses their strengths to add something positive to the world. 

BIG, HUMBLE WINS

2019 Emerging Leader Award, SUNY Empire State College Alumni Federation​
2016 Athena Young Professional Finalist, Buffalo Niagara Partnership 
2013 Citizen of the Year, Allegany Pamona Grange 
2012 Alumna of the Year, Leadership Cattaraugus 
2012 Outstanding Achiever, Allegany County Chamber of Commerce 
2012 Accolades Award, Council for the Advancement and Support of Education 
2011 "40 Under Forty," Buffalo Business First 
I.C.A.R.E. Award for Exemplifying Respect, HomeCare & Hospice