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ABOUT PAM
Pamela Say-Witter is a nationally-published author, higher education administrator, and small business owner. She serves as the Vice President for Development and Community Engagement for Trocaire College in Buffalo, NY where she oversees marketing, communications, fund raising, grants, and alumni, community and government relations.
A 2001 graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a 2017 graduate of Empire State College, she holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
Her award-winning work is widely recognized. Witter is the recipient of the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award from the Allegany Pomona Grange, 2012 Alumna of the Year award from Leadership Cattaraugus, 2011 Buffalo Business First “40 Under Forty” honoree, and 2012 Outstanding Achiever Award from the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. She was named an Athena Young Professional Finalist by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership in 2016.
She is an avid volunteer. Witter has served as co-founder and chairwoman for Leadership Allegany, Resource Leader for Allegany County 4H, board member for the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and Cuba Memorial Hospital, patient volunteer for Hospice, and Trustee for Cuba First Baptist Church. She has owned and operated two small businesses and is currently the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western NY.
In her development career she has been a key contributor and team leader on projects to raise millions of dollars, including her team’s most recent win – a $1.8 million federal HRSA grant. They were the only awardee in New York State. She has been involved in myriad annual, capital and endowment campaigns helping teams reach major milestones for the nonprofits they serve.
Witter is the author of three published books including a novel Hope Rising and a children’s book Chuck and Spark Explore the Park. Her third book, released in August 2017 by Charity Channel Press, is an in-depth manual on increasing mission dollars for non-profits. It is entitled Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue.
She has written and been a key contributor in the creation of groundbreaking strategic plans.
Her greatest passion, though, is leading high-performance teams. The teams she has led over the last 17 years have smashed through goals and won numerous national and regional awards.
She offers limited consulting and speaks nationally on topics including fundraising, leadership, communications, and motivational topics.
A 2001 graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a 2017 graduate of Empire State College, she holds a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA).
Her award-winning work is widely recognized. Witter is the recipient of the 2014 Citizen of the Year Award from the Allegany Pomona Grange, 2012 Alumna of the Year award from Leadership Cattaraugus, 2011 Buffalo Business First “40 Under Forty” honoree, and 2012 Outstanding Achiever Award from the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. She was named an Athena Young Professional Finalist by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership in 2016.
She is an avid volunteer. Witter has served as co-founder and chairwoman for Leadership Allegany, Resource Leader for Allegany County 4H, board member for the Greater Allegany County Chamber of Commerce and Cuba Memorial Hospital, patient volunteer for Hospice, and Trustee for Cuba First Baptist Church. She has owned and operated two small businesses and is currently the President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals of Western NY.
In her development career she has been a key contributor and team leader on projects to raise millions of dollars, including her team’s most recent win – a $1.8 million federal HRSA grant. They were the only awardee in New York State. She has been involved in myriad annual, capital and endowment campaigns helping teams reach major milestones for the nonprofits they serve.
Witter is the author of three published books including a novel Hope Rising and a children’s book Chuck and Spark Explore the Park. Her third book, released in August 2017 by Charity Channel Press, is an in-depth manual on increasing mission dollars for non-profits. It is entitled Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue.
She has written and been a key contributor in the creation of groundbreaking strategic plans.
Her greatest passion, though, is leading high-performance teams. The teams she has led over the last 17 years have smashed through goals and won numerous national and regional awards.
She offers limited consulting and speaks nationally on topics including fundraising, leadership, communications, and motivational topics.
The Seed Planter Story - My Company's Namesake
Pam's speaking and consulting company is called Seed Planters. It's a business with a purpose.
When founder Pamela Witter was a teenager and admittedly a bit of 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. Through her faith and the support of her family, friends, and people in her community, she persevered. Inspired by their example, Witter made "planting seeds" her life's mission.
"I love to get out and talk to groups – big and small," she shares. "Whether we are discussing ways to overcome the brokenness of life, exploring strategies to grow non-profits through fundraising, or delving into leadership topics – my personal mission is to plant seeds."
So what is a Seed Planter? 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.
Pam uses her strengths in leadership, fundraising, communications and business, as well as her life experiences, to grow people, organizations and communities.
"The Seed Planters in my life deeply impacted me. A simple word, an act of kindness, or a learning opportunity can make a real difference in someone's life. I want to carry that legacy forward," Witter said. "In doing so, I hope to inspire others to become Seed Planters. Together, we can tip the scales for good."
When founder Pamela Witter was a teenager and admittedly a bit of 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. Through her faith and the support of her family, friends, and people in her community, she persevered. Inspired by their example, Witter made "planting seeds" her life's mission.
"I love to get out and talk to groups – big and small," she shares. "Whether we are discussing ways to overcome the brokenness of life, exploring strategies to grow non-profits through fundraising, or delving into leadership topics – my personal mission is to plant seeds."
So what is a Seed Planter? 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.
Pam uses her strengths in leadership, fundraising, communications and business, as well as her life experiences, to grow people, organizations and communities.
"The Seed Planters in my life deeply impacted me. A simple word, an act of kindness, or a learning opportunity can make a real difference in someone's life. I want to carry that legacy forward," Witter said. "In doing so, I hope to inspire others to become Seed Planters. Together, we can tip the scales for good."
Accolades include:
2017 National Honorable Mention for Website: Institutional Homepage category – Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (won by my Marketing Department at Trocaire College and our design partner 19 Ideas)
2016 Silver Medal for Social Media Strategy and Gold Medal for Magazine – Public Relations Society of America Buffalo Niagara Chapter Excalibur Awards (won by my Marketing Department at Trocaire College)
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
2017 National Honorable Mention for Website: Institutional Homepage category – Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (won by my Marketing Department at Trocaire College and our design partner 19 Ideas)
2016 Silver Medal for Social Media Strategy and Gold Medal for Magazine – Public Relations Society of America Buffalo Niagara Chapter Excalibur Awards (won by my Marketing Department at Trocaire College)
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
