"Absolutely the best speaker at the conference this year! Fun to listen to, excellent content, and actionable information."
"Absolutely the best speaker at the conference this year! Fun to listen to, excellent content, and actionable information."
Testimonials on Hope Rising
Morgan Dornsife, Administrator
The book “Hope Rising” is a beautiful story where God’s hope of redemption speaks through an honest telling of some dark places of this life. I was especially captivated by the mother, who fiercely fights for her daughter…I found myself crying as I read, remembering that this is exactly what Jesus Christ did for me. Witter writes a compelling story that takes off—I literally could not put it down and read it in one sitting! Then, passed it along to my sister who did the same. |
Verónica Labrador-Monteiro, Teacher
I could not put Hope Rising down! I read it in two days. Pamela is a gifted writer. This book has impacted me in many ways and has given me strength – the strength that I needed to get through a very challenging time in my life. This book reminded me that, like Anastasia, I have also gone through times of intense darkness but through faith, have managed to rise above it. It reminded me that I do not need to carry this alone. As I write this, I am crying; not tears of sadness but tears of release and of letting go – letting go of a weight I do not need to carry. Thank you and God bless! |
Gina Kocsis, Supervisor at Child Protective Services
In her book, “Hope Rising”, Pamela relates the struggles of raising a teenage daughter to finding peace with one’s own traumatic experiences growing up in a world that has the potential to devastate the human psyche. This is an inspirational story of a mother, Anastasia, who rose from hurt, tragedy and depression to become a successful business woman. Surprisingly, Anastasia’s greatest achievement is when she discovers a way to share the darkest corners of her life with her precious daughter, Ellie who is about to find herself living her mother’s worst nightmare. Will the terrifying events of the past repeat themselves or will Ellie see the light? If you are looking to learn how hope can be found despite anguish, this is the book for you. |
From Post-Conference Surveys and Follow-Up Messages:
"Pamela was an incredible speaker and her story was inspirational!"
"Pamela's session was one of the best I've ever been to. Extraordinary session!"
"Pam was incredible! I was enthralled by her presentation skills, story, and information."
"Pamela was amazing! Such an insightful and inspiring presentation!"
"I have more notes from this session than any other."
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"Thank you again for agreeing to do this for us. It was great and I could have listened for several more hours. You have a gift!" (Conference Host)
"I attended your session this morning and it was incredible. You provided such a thoughtful, strategic, and prepared session with lots of 'take homes.' Thank you for your preparation. I too am a leadership junkie, so much so that I earned a doctorate in leadership. You've provided me with a few new resources and I can't wait to do my homework." (Kelly Brennan, Ed.D.)
"Truly one of the most memorable presentations professionally I have heard in my three-plus decade career." (Case DII Conference Attendee)
Kent Stroman, America's Asking Coach, said:
Pam Say-Witter and I were selected to speak together at the 2014 International Conference on Philanthropy presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in San Antonio, Texas. Our session, Five Strategies to Increase Your Annual Fund, was chosen by over 225 delegates and was much appreciated. It was a joy for me to share the stage with Pam Witter. As a speaker on fundraising, Pam is authentic, engaging, articulate, bright, relevant and impactful. However, Pam's speaker qualities are surpassed by her leadership. She is a successful fundraising professional. Pam really brings in the money! Pam's greatest dimension is her person. She is caring, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent, innovative, and inspiring! You should hear her speak. You should follow her example. You should make her acquaintance.
Click here to visit Kent at The Institute for Conversational Fundraising
Pam Say-Witter and I were selected to speak together at the 2014 International Conference on Philanthropy presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in San Antonio, Texas. Our session, Five Strategies to Increase Your Annual Fund, was chosen by over 225 delegates and was much appreciated. It was a joy for me to share the stage with Pam Witter. As a speaker on fundraising, Pam is authentic, engaging, articulate, bright, relevant and impactful. However, Pam's speaker qualities are surpassed by her leadership. She is a successful fundraising professional. Pam really brings in the money! Pam's greatest dimension is her person. She is caring, compassionate, thoughtful, intelligent, innovative, and inspiring! You should hear her speak. You should follow her example. You should make her acquaintance.
Click here to visit Kent at The Institute for Conversational Fundraising
Gabe Iturbides, Director of the Access Opportunity Programs at the State University of New York at Geneseo said:
SUNY Geneseo was honored to have Pamela Say-Witter be the keynote speaker for the first annual Opportunity Programs Leadership Day. Witter’s demeanor is sweet and approachable, but once you hear her speak and the message she sends out, you can tell she is a lion of a person. Pam’s story and ideology are simply inspiring and motivational to all. In a room full of professionals in higher education and over 450 students from all sorts of backgrounds, I had no doubt that everyone was thinking about where they came from, where they want to go, making the right choices in life, and making sure that they knew who those “seed planters” in their lives are. Pam is an inspiration to those who know where she has come from and sees where she is in life. As a father to a daughter, I can only hope that the seemingly effortless resiliency and soothing strength that resonate with Pam carries on to my daughter, son, and next generation of society.
SUNY Geneseo was honored to have Pamela Say-Witter be the keynote speaker for the first annual Opportunity Programs Leadership Day. Witter’s demeanor is sweet and approachable, but once you hear her speak and the message she sends out, you can tell she is a lion of a person. Pam’s story and ideology are simply inspiring and motivational to all. In a room full of professionals in higher education and over 450 students from all sorts of backgrounds, I had no doubt that everyone was thinking about where they came from, where they want to go, making the right choices in life, and making sure that they knew who those “seed planters” in their lives are. Pam is an inspiration to those who know where she has come from and sees where she is in life. As a father to a daughter, I can only hope that the seemingly effortless resiliency and soothing strength that resonate with Pam carries on to my daughter, son, and next generation of society.
Brian George, HR Coordinator at Cutco Corporation, said:
Pam, with her unique vision of “Seed Planters,” was an outstanding educational decision for our team. Her message of leading authentically with an appreciative mindset is such an inspirational way to navigate your way through a purposeful career and lead a truly successful life. If you are looking for an intrinsically motivated way of leading or influencing people, Pam can absolutely make that connection with her message. |
Jonathan Hilsher, Director of Civic Engagement at Alfred State College, said:
Pam was our keynote speaker at the Celebration of Service ceremony. This is an event that highlights our most civically engaged residents of the village of Alfred including community members, faculty, staff, and students from both Alfred State College and Alfred University. Pam shared an inspirational message from her own life. Her authenticity, visionary ideas, and ability to connect with the audience was much appreciated by everyone in attendance. I would definitely recommend her as a speaker. |
Ivy Lane, Executive Director of the Drexel Fund at Drexel University, said:
I was in both of your sessions at the CASE District II Conference in Maryland, and I just want to say that you were truly great. Thank you for having thoughtful and smart presentations that are actionable. I really enjoyed both presentations and found them valuable. You're clearly wonderful at your job! Congrats and thank you. Kelly Sudol, Director of Annual Giving and Advancement Services at St. John Fisher College, said: I wanted to reach out to thank you for your leadership session at the conference. It was the most inspiring session I have ever attended. |
Miscellaneous Conference Attendee Feedback: