Stephanie's Testimonial

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"All of our board members rated the training either good or excellent, but the real proof came when every member signed up for at least three fundraising activities afterwards. Having an outside expert address our board increased everyone's comfort with fundraising—even our most hesitant members responded enthusiastically. The training equipped the board to tell our story confidently, build authentic donor relationships, and embrace their roles as ambassadors. As Executive Director, I was impressed by their receptiveness to Sharon's guidance and the enthusiasm that followed." 

"Working with Sharon has been amazing. We’ve had our best fundraising year yet! Sharon is a great listener and helped me tremendously."

"Sharon Papo has been the ideal consultant for our church as we worked on planning our capital campaign. She really listened and shaped her consultations to our needs. She was thoughtful, prompt, and above all, honest. We have achieved a very clear sense of where we need to go to raise the funds we need. We highly recommend her."

This recommendation is endorsed by the Rev. David Pattee, Karen Cozza, Elizabeth Schilling & Catherine Sarto

 "Sharon delivered an engaging, inspiring, and informative training to our Board of Directors. After the training I got a lot of positive feedback from our board members who now want to step up and reach out to donors. We are really happy we brought Sharon in to activate our Board to support our fundraising efforts."

"Working with Sharon as an executive coach and fundraising consultant has been a great experience. Each of our sessions left me with clear & actionable steps to take to further my goals. With all of the moving parts that come with being an Executive Director, it has been truly helpful to hear Sharon's informed, outside perspective, as well as have a confidential sounding board for new ideas and internal program discussions. Her fundraising advice & insight into how to increase our organizational capacity has been invaluable."

 "Being coached by Sharon was a grounding and inspiring process. When I found myself down one development staff member, Sharon operated as both my cheerleader and my strategic thought partner in moving into the primary development role in my organization, while also juggling my Executive Director responsibilities. Sharon takes a holistic approach to coaching, recognizing (and reminding) that nothing will get done if the basics are not in place. This coaching relationship was nourishing and educational. I feel confident that I raised more money than I would have without Sharon's support, and I did it while also prioritizing operational sustainability under Sharon's guidance. Thank you, Sharon!"

"In 2022/23, I was fortunate to work with Sharon for Executive Coaching and in the first session, she helped me get clarity around my goals. As the sessions progressed, Sharon would often go back to that goal to help me connect why certain behaviors, circumstances or choices were either helping me reach that goal or keeping me from attaining it. Sharon gave me several clear and usable tools. Sharon would give me questions to ask myself like, 'Is this my work to do?' when I was struggling with prioritizing my workload. I use that simple question in so many ways from task assignments to conversations both in my professional life and my personal life. I highly recommend Sharon to anyone looking to move forward in their career. The easy-to-use tools and great question-asking from Sharon will set you up for success."

"Sharon Papo is a leader among leaders. I've had the pleasure of working with Sharon on successful, transformational capital campaigns. In each case, she stepped up with unwavering commitment. She did everything in her power to strengthen and stabilize these organizations through identifying the right spaces and leading the charges to secure those spaces as permanent community assets. THAT is generational transformation. I've seen funders invest in projects because of her leadership. I've seen volunteers rise up and surround her to ensure the success of her community-informed vision. When Sharon sets her sights on a vision, it becomes reality." 

"Sharon has the unique ability to turn chaos into order, risk into reward and despair into hope. Her genuine fundraising abilities enabled us to raise the capital to purchase our building when it seemed impossible."

"Sharon has excellent people skills and is very easy to work with. Sharon was the driving force in raising over a million dollars for our Capital Campaign to buy our building this past year. Sharon is insightful, perceptive, and creative in all that she does. Sharon is a lifelong learner, always willing to educate herself on any new issue or cause in our community. Sharon is a champion of Racial and Gender equality and justice. You will not find anyone who will outperform, outwork or stick to a project more than Sharon. All this she does with grace, professionalism, and competency. I enjoyed my time working with Sharon." 

"Sharon is one of the most inspiring and competent people I have ever worked with. Her own capacity for learning, growth, transformational leadership and her incredible ability to create a vision, get funding and make it happen is beyond measure. Anyone who works with her is lucky to have the opportunity." 

"Sharon was spectacular, dynamic, determined, and collaborative leader for the Diversity Center when serving as its Executive Director for eight years. She shepherded the organization, its board, and staff through tremendous growth and change. She leaves a great legacy, with a strong organization and a deeply supportive community, not to mention a permanent home that was achieved through a successful capital campaign. Her leadership was instrumental in having the organization and its many programs positively impact many constituencies and lives."