Testimonials
Praise from Not for Profit Clients
- Rural Development Institute —Gail Romero, Director of Development and Communications
- One By One —Katya Mantanovic, Founder
- Washington Women’s Foundation —Anne Buckner, Founding Member
- MissionWise™ —Melissa Ransdell, Director
- Lakeside School —Andrea Lieberman, Alumni President
- Washington Women’s Foundation —Carol Madigan, Member
- Healing Species —Carolin Behrend, Program Director
- Washington Women’s Foundation —Janice Magee Huseby, Member
- Washington Women’s Foundation —Darcie Furlan, Member
“Working with Mary Anne provided us the opportunity to clarify our message and highlight the significant points of our complicated nonprofit work in a succinct manner. Mary Anne brought an understanding of message building, technical expertise and strategic audience perception to our video. She guided us in making great decisions and helped up craft our message with a flow that we previously lacked. From a nonprofit point of view – we have found no one else who understands how to engage a viewer to action better than Mary Anne Dorward.”
Rural Development Institute Gail Romero Director of Development and Communications“Mary Anne Dorward’s practical tools and expert coaching are wonderful! Just a few hours with her, and we had the added confidence we needed to clearly deliver our message. And that confidence meant we connected with our audience better. As a result of Mary Anne’s coaching, we far exceeded our fundraising goal for the evening – an increase of over 85% from the previous year! But even more important, our program made a strong impression out the audience – we are still hearing from people who remember the stories we told. We would absolutely work with Mary Anne again. Her coaching was worth the investment!”
One By One Katya Mantanovic Founder“Without a doubt working with Mary Anne is the best thing I have EVER done. It will transform not only your work, but also your life.”
Washington Women’s Foundation Anne Buckner Founding Member“Mary Anne Dorward guides and challenges me to uncover what I need to say and helps me find the courage to say it. The result is that I connect with people in real and impactful ways every time I make a presentation.”
MissionWise™, a consulting division of Comprehensive Health Education Foundation Melissa Ransdell Director“You turn all my confusion into pearls of wisdom...I feel as if I have grown five years in the last two months. Thank you so much for helping me find my real voice and use it effectively.”
Lakeside School Andrea Lieberman Alumni President“Normally, I am the most terrified of terrified speakers to address a large group. Before working with Mary Anne, my writing usually rambled with emotion and conviction, but unfortunately wandered without direction or focus. I used to get so nervous, that I would forget what I wanted to say. My discomfort distracted the audience away from my topic so much that it was always a great relief for everyone when I was done. Not anymore!
“For the last two years Mary Anne has helped coach me, and this year my presentation was so well done, that the Washington Women’s Foundation awarded $75,000 to my organization, The Vera Project. I was thrilled!”
Washington Women’s Foundation Carol Madigan Member“Instead of just presenting facts and figures, Mary Anne taught me how to reach people by speaking from my heart. She inspired and encouraged me. It made a big difference!”
Healing Species Carolin Behrend Program Director“Mary Anne's talent emanates across the room. She is curious, playful and professional. In small group coaching, she is direct and to the point with each individual; and also able to identify and address the critical value-added piece(s) which moves an ordinary presentation into the extra-ordinary. In my volunteer capacity with Washington Women’s Foundation, Mary Anne’s direction enabled me to edit a rather lengthy presentation into the required 5 minutes, and to achieve the level of excellence that I was after both in the written and actual presentation. I hope you choose to work with her--it is fun and informative. I will carry her recommendations with me in my future work; and not hesitate to avail myself of her coaching again.”
Washington Women’s Foundation Janice Magee Huseby Member“Thanks so much for your help and guidance in preparing my oral report ... I learned SO MUCH from you; your advice was really valuable. And thank also for your written review of my proposal! I got tons of compliments from other members on my report-I felt like a star! And I know it wouldn’t have been nearly as good if I hadn’t received your coaching. Thanks again for your generous mentoring, encouragement and support.”
Washington Women’s Foundation Darcie Furlan Member