Celebrating Pam Packer

The final Parent Faculty Association Board meeting of the year on April 18 was all about celebration – celebrating the gift of $200,000 back to the school and the gift of Pam Packer and her two years of service as PFA President. Packer served under anything-but-normal circumstances and led the School’s organization extraordinarily. “Has there ever been a two-term FWCD PFA President, or anyone crazy enough to take on that task?” said Courtney Holm, PFA President-Elect, at the meeting. “ I think not, and thank goodness you said yes because our school and community are better because of your service.”

Holm praised Packer and her exceptional leadership traits, including her amazing work ethic. While serving as President, Packer was parenting her four girls (Kennedy ’23, Reese ’25, Emmy Kate ’27, and Finley ’32), volunteering outside the school, and continuing her marathon training. “You always showed up and were willing to get your hands dirty, run errands, haul supplies, count money,” Holm said. “A true leader by example and mentality.”

Packer’s problem-solving skills came in quite handy these past two years. At the beginning, middle and end of the pandemic, she was required to pivot, pivot, pivot. “Nothing was normal, and you were able to think outside of the box to make the best of all situations,” Holm added. 

Those pivots required poise under pressure, poise that required an incredible amount of patience. Whenever a last-minute change was thrown the PFA’s way, you calmly gathered yourself and handled the situation,” Holm shared. “What I especially loved learning from you was how you did not try to do things on your own. You used discernment and your resources to make the best decisions for the School.”

Ultimately, Packer can be defined as a leader who listens – she heard those around her and kept the needs of the community as her top priority. “I think this is something Pam does so well. She gives great direction, but she also lets people own their projects and add their personal touches,” Holm said. “During the pandemic, Pam listened to the community’s needs and provided teachers with meals for their families. When we were trying to ‘get back to normal’ as a community, Pam listened and put together an incredible back-to-school gathering for our parents.  

“The bottom line was never a priority for Pam,” Holm continued. “but because of her remarkable and unprecedented leadership, we had one of the most, if not the most, successful PFA years to date. My hope for all of you next year is to find a ‘Pam’ while serving on this board or volunteering at school. I promise your life will be richer because of it.”

Packer inspired so many beyond her PFA volunteer board. “Pam has been the epitome of an FWCD parent volunteer. Her predecessors, in my experience, have all been amazing, and they only did the job for one year. That she volunteered to take on the role a second year, in very challenging circumstances for everyone, took her to another level,” said Head of School Eric Lombardi. “Pam loves our school, is accessible to all, brings us (with her husband, Jamie) four amazing daughters, and, if she ever was not enthusiastic about an event or a challenge, she fooled all of us because we only saw high energy and maximum commitment.  When we look back on these two years, Pam's name will not be an asterisk: It will be in bold print as an essential element in navigating truly enormous challenges.”

Photo: The Parent Faculty Association Board celebrated Pam Packer and her two years of service as PFA President.