Pamela Jessup Runner is a Napa Valley winery cofounder, wine business professional, and advocate for families of children and adults with special needs. In her debut memoir Grief Grit Glory—A Mother’s Trailblazing Journey to Keep Her Family Together, she shares the intimate story of parenting her son Jonny, born with congenital CMV, while preserving the strength and unity of her family. A passionate storyteller, Pamela brings vulnerability and insight to the emotional and systemic challenges of disability caregiving.
As an authentic speaker and legislative advocate, she has shaped public conversations into policy change through conferences, roundtables, and community forums. Her journey—rooted in love, resilience, and Napa Valley’s wine culture—invites readers into a world of grit and grace. Pamela lives in Sacramento, California, with her husband, retired Senator George Runner, and balances life with her passions: family, travel, and writing.