Testimonials

success stories

Keynotes

"Gwen, I would like to say that it was such a pleasure to see you at the awards ceremony. Throughout the evening guests kept saying that your acceptance remarks were inspirational."
– Melanie Gudgeon, Alumni Engagement Officer, Concordia University, Montreal Quebec

“I attended a recent Concordia University event where they recognized and celebrated accomplished alumni in their respective fields. When Gwen accepted her award for international alumni, her speech was emotional, inspirational, relatable. It was storytelling at its best!”
– Isabelle Noel, Concordia University Alumni, Montreal Quebec

"Gwen's speech at the Concordia Alumni Recognition event was great! In the few minutes she had to speak, she spoke so eloquently about how Concordia University helped in molding who she was today and the importance of family support. She highlighted the importance of hard work and tenacity. An uplifting message all should hear. She had everyone's undivided attention and is such a motivator and positive role model for so many!"
– Frances Morris, Senior Admin Coordinator, McGill University Steinberg Centre For Simulation & Interactive Learning

"I had the pleasure of hearing you speak at the Collin County Volunteer Center Awards and was so impressed I am recommending you to other organizations. I know others will want to hear your motivating words!"
– Tammy Taylor, Director. Community Education/PR, Hope’s Door

"Your speech was wonderful Gwen! You are truly a motivator."
– Pam Chesnick, YWCA

"Everyone was raving about your presentation. They loved it! What a wonderful zest for life you have! May your words be an inspiration and calling to each of us to make a difference in someone’s life."
– Linda Talcott, 5th Annual Womanhood Seminar

"Thank you for serving as keynote speaker for the GSA National Capital Region’s Combined Federal Campaign. Your words of inspiration served as a true inspiration for us all. Your message motivated our employees to ultimately touch the lives of others."
– Julia E. Hudson Regional Administrator, National Capital Region

"I highly recommend Gwen for your next event. She recently moderated a panel on childhood obesity for me and was outstanding. Her mastery of the issue, grace and poise, not to mention her ability to engage both the panel and the audience were fundamental to the success of our briefing. Gwen is talented, engaging, and extremely professional. I am looking forward to inviting her back."
– Robin Strongin, Creator, Disruptive Women in Health Care Blog

"Gwen, your great personality, sense of humor and energy are amazing! Your presentation was just what we needed to make the event a success. Your inspired, motivated and left us all energized and wanting more! Thanks for sharing you talent!”
– Richard Bienvenue, Exec. Director, Our House

"I wanted to personally thank you for your warm greetings and tremendous presentation during our 2011 Founder’s Day ceremony. Having someone of your stature deliver such a positive message was simply a joy for me personally and for our students. You bring to is an air of legitimacy that has been seldom seen here."
– Allen L. Sessoms, President University of the District of Columbia

"What an uplifting inspiring day we had on Monday! Your message to the audience of 3000 was perfect. You related to them with such warmth and sincerity."
– Judi Bishop, YWCA Exec Dir. & Nancy Hawkins, Special Event Coordinator

"Your motivational words were truly inspiring!"
– Marilyn Hayes, Thomas A Edison Middle Learning Center

"Your presentation was truly outstanding and very inspiring to all. We have received nothing but rave reviews of your speech. This is the first time of the six years we have had this event that so many were motivated by a speaker."
– AC Campbell, The Beacon Charity & Social Club

Emcee

"As Emcee for our event Gwen you are a natural, and I received many compliments on your talent and poise throughout the evening. You were warm, gracious, spontaneous and welcoming. We couldn’t have had a better emcee. You complimented our event of over 2000 attendees."
– Maria Smith, Event Coordinator, Best Race School

"Thanks to your role over the past six years as our Emcee, we’ve been able to raise more than $500,000 in funding for our housing programs. Your heartfelt commitment to our mission to create new futures for homelessness women—and your infectious enthusiasm to motivate our guests to give and bid—truly help to make the event the very special evening that it is for us. It is always such a pleasure to work with you and we hope to continue working with you in the future!"
– Wanda Steptoe, Executive Director, New Endeavours For Women

“As our Emcee thank you for all your hard work, professionalism & support with Saturday’s event. We’re pleased to have worked with you and you made our inaugural gala a success.”
– Kate Goodall, Chief Operating Officer, S&R Foundation, Washington, DC

"Your role as Emcee and introductory remarks were superb; they clearly set the stage for the night and nobody could have expressed them better, nor delivered them better. As Emcee you were impressive and we have been happy to have you for our last three galas and want you back!"
– Richard Bienvenue, Exec. Director, Our House

"It was our first Gala benefit and a pleasure to work with Gwen Tolbart. We were so fortunate to work with such a high caliber professional whose calm demeanor and engaging, but efficient manner of emceeing was so reassuring."
– Rev. Sharon Peters, Exe Dir/CEO. Pathways Schools

"You were simply MARVELOUS! The event was a huge success in part, because of you as the Emcee. Gwen it was your warm, personable and dynamic personality , making everyone feel welcomed and tour professionalism that helped make this event the best one yet. We received outstanding comments from numerous guests praising you in a variety of ways from how beautiful you are to how relaxed you made them feel and how great you were overall. You have acquired some new fans!"
– Eddie Reyes, Resource Centers on Independent Living

“I was very surprised at your delivery, because I am use to seeing you on the news where you have a total different personality, I was like WOW!! You absolutely gave the event what we needed and added much value.”
– Ginger Miller, Women’s Veterans Interactive

“Gwen's role at our awards ceremony provided the elegance we admire as a women's organization and she kept the audience engaged by having a good sense of humor.”
– Beta Zeta Chapter Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Washington, DC

Coach

“What a dynamo this woman is! She gave me more solid, inspirational advice in two and a half minutes that I’ve received in my entire 25 years of life. Seriously, I’d pay this woman to be my personal motivational speaker…” “One of her brainstorms will likely help me get a job - or a well-paying freelance gig at the very least - in the not so distance future.”
– Giancarlo La Giorgia, Author

“You have inspired me so much. Your motivation, commitment, intelligence, drive, wealth of knowledge, ambition, the giving of your time and advice. I could go on and on….” Gwen’s motivational spirit and invaluable guidance has taken me from a small TV market as a one-man band, to the Morning Anchor for the number rated show in Richmond, VA. I’ve also had the great privilege of working in one of the top breaking news markets in the country, Miami, Florida. I’ve earned two Emmy’s along the way and have enjoyed my journey."
– Gray Hall Anchor/Reporter NBC 12 Richmond, VA

"Gwen is encouraging, motivating, caring and resourceful. I really don’t think I would’ve made it in this business without her. I don’t know where I would be today without her."
– Tremaine Williams, WGN News

"I had no idea when I met this woman how important she would be to my life professionally and personally. There is nothing fake about Gwen. Her generosity has helped with my career in media with organizations like CNN, as well as in my growth as a professional speaker."
– Omékongo Dibinga, Director, UPstander International

"Life-changing…she is headstrong, generous, passionate, and professional and deeply cares about giving back. Her guidance has made a huge impact in my life."
– Regina Reese, Reporter, Speaker

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