Inspirational Speaker, Author, Consultant and Founder of Pajama Program
Be a Voice that Moves the World
Genevieve's journey has taken her from a little girl's question in a shelter to the OPRAH show to boardrooms and stages across America to talk about purpose-driven leadership.
News!
I've been invited to present at TEDx UMSV in NYC Jan 29th. My title? How Do You Become a Voice that Moves the World?
"One woman came up with her own idea to honor her calling, and her name is Genevieve Piturro."
- Oprah Winfrey
Clients, Audiences & Readers Are inspired by Genevieve
"One woman came up with a simple idea to honor her own calling and her name is Genevieve Piturro."
- Oprah Winfrey
Watch Genevieve on Oprah on the Press page
"When Genevieve addresses the audience and shows us that each of us can make a difference there is an instant connection and we're all motivated to get involved."
- Carmen L. Hudson
AVP, JP Morgan Chase
"You touched so many people today. You are an amazing woman that I am so lucky to have met. I want to make a difference like you."
- Lisa Evans
EVP, Carter's
"Genevieve’s presentation to Legatus touched on some of the most important aspects of the human experience — vulnerability, compassion, and our unique purpose. Her incredible story brought tears to the eyes of our members. In short, the presentation was impactful and emotionally powerful. "
- Kelly S. Andino
NYC Legatus Conference at
St. Patrick's Cathedral, NYC
"I wouldn’t be true to the “books” part of my IG handle if I didn’t talk about my favorite reads here, too. I’m almost done with this one by Genevieve Piturro and I’m inspired beyond belief. Think Eckhart Tolle meets Brené Brown with a transformation story that’ll inspire you to find your own authentic purpose!"
- Carla Ammons
@CoffeeBooksandYoga
What's Your Legacy?
"Genevieve’s work on purpose and legacy has inspired thousands of Carter’s employees and our customers to join in her mission to ensure that millions of children in need know that they are loved."
-Michael D. Casey
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carter’s, Inc.
"If this is the next 30 yrs of your life, is this enough?"
Genevieve's Story: A Little Girl, a Purpose, and a Legacy
I was a successful and single television marketing executive in New York City when my life changed forever. One afternoon while sitting alone in my living room, I heard my inner voice quietly, yet clearly, ask me: “If this is the next thirty years of your life, is this enough?”
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I was stunned. And in a millisecond I knew what was missing - children.
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I decided to visit an emergency shelter for children who had been abandoned and abused. I started reading to them in the evenings, and one night after story time, I followed the staff to the “bedroom.” The children slowly climbed onto couches and futons. Some were crying as the caregivers tried to comfort them. There were no hugs from moms or dads, no snacks or whispers or prayers. There was no changing of their clothes from the tight or soiled clothing they arrived in. I knew this was not at all how bedtime was supposed to be for a child and the words that tumbled out of my mouth were, “Can I bring the children pajamas?”
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The next week after I read their stories, I gave each child a brand-new pair of pajamas. One little girl, about six years old, refused to take a pair of pink PJs from me. Her hair hung in lopsided pigtails, she wore a stained top and a pair of too-short lavender pants, and extra-large sneakers flopped as she walked. She watched me for a long time, and when I finished with the others, I tried again to give her the pink pair. She again shook her head. I knelt down and whispered, “See how soft these pajamas are? Go ahead and feel them,” I said to her. “You can keep them always.” And as she gingerly brushed her hand gently across a sleeve, she asked me the question that rocked my world. Her question and the life and leadership lessons I learned from that moment, are what I now share in my presentations..
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I took a leap of faith, left my life as I knew it, and Pajama Program was born. Going from corporate executive to nonprofit founder wasn’t easy, but after much fear and doubt, thousands of sleepless nights, and tears that could fill the Atlantic, I overcame challenges I thought would ruin everything. I met each turn with faith, determination, and moxie. I found my purpose, and a chain of events, set in motion by a little girl, is creating a legacy we can only attribute to the magic of the human connection.
I want to inspire you to find purpose and create a legacy in your life and work.
You've seen Genevieve here:
What's Your Legacy?
"Thank you so much for your powerful presentation on how to find meaning at work. This team has dealt with so much being at the epicenter of Covid seeing how it affected not only our team and guests. You were able to highlight what we all value as a team but also illuminate so many positives we have being our authentic self at Target."
-Kelly McGarrity
Target Captain of Commerce Engagement for New York
Purpose, Passion and Pajamas
is now available
This book is the story of how I found meaning and purpose in my life & work, and how you can, too.
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When we restore the human connection to our lives, we also restore meaning to our lives because we start to care about each other and what we can accomplish together.
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How do I know this? Because I was disconnected myself 20 years ago. It took a little girl’s simple question to unnerve me and then propel me into a life filled with meaning.
I am a witness to the power of the human connection at work and the impact of leading with meaning.
If it happened for me, it can happen for you.
Special thanks to the publishing team at Greenleaf Book Group, photographer Frank Rivers for the cover's pajama photo, and artist Nicole Caggiano for the surprise sketch on the last pages!
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So ... if this is the next 30 years of your life,
is this enough?