Meet the Meeting Ritual Research Committee

Year of Initiation: 1979
Resides in: Santa Cruz, California
Education: Bachelor of Arts Honors in Linguistics and French from University of Michigan and Juris Doctor from University of California, Hastings College of the Law 
Pi Phi Experience: Vice President Moral Advancement at Michigan Beta; Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) Advisor and AAC Chair at California Alpha; Fraternity Collegiate Coordinating Specialist and Operations Specialist
Professional Experience: Senior Research Associate, Harvard Business School, 15 years as a land use attorney leading interdisciplinary teams in project entitlement, 10 years as a realtor coordinating teams for residential sales.
What are you most looking forward to? Using my background, skills and experience to work with and lead a talented team of women to create a process by which we all learn more about the traditions of Pi Phi, learn from each other and provide sound information and recommendations to Grand Council on an important topic for the Fraternity. We need to provide many different avenues for members to voice their views over time, and we need to communicate how we are doing this, our progress and our goals.  
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? Most of my career has involved managing processes and building consensus through engagement with diverse stakeholders. I have skills in research, writing and training as a linguist and lawyer which I think will be helpful here. I also have experience supporting interdisciplinary teams in the achievement of common goals.  I have served the Fraternity in several positions at the local level and above and have benefitted from multiple trainings from the Fraternity which has allowed me to meet Pi Phis from all over North America.

Year of Initiation: 2016
Resides in: Atlanta, Georgia 
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English and French from Hillsdale College and currently working toward a Master of Philosophy in Peacebuilding and Mediation at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland
Pi Phi Experience: New Member Coordinator at Michigan Alpha
Professional Experience: I have completed a certificate course in mediation accredited by the Scottish Mediation Register. Before beginning my graduate studies, I participated in the Galilea Fellowship studying interfaith relations in Nazareth, Israel, focused on tracing the interfaith relationship between Jewish and Christian communities across historical, cultural and political timelines.
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? I have lived, worked and studied with people from incredibly diverse backgrounds. I currently study interfaith and international peacebuilding, so I hope to bring that knowledge with me.  
What do you think is the most important thing this committee can do to ensure members are heard? Hearing more about the beauty and utility of Ritual from every angle is necessary for conducting thorough research, so we must make a conscious effort to maintain a culture of welcoming every insight. 
 

Year of Initiation: 1983 
Resides in: Burnet, Texas  
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Telecommunications from Texas Tech University  
Pi Phi Experience: AAC Chair at Texas Gamma and Lubbock, Texas, Alumnae Club officer 
Professional Experience: Currently a long-time pharma representative working for a Johnson & Johnson company, serving on national culture committees related to candor and inclusion, Public Relations for television stations and hospitals. 
What are you most looking forward to? Connecting with other Pi Phis. My basic tendency of being curious has me eager to learn and know more about others and their experiences, even if very different than my own. I’m looking forward to working with other sisters to come up with a solution that will take Pi Phi into the next 100 years. Our Ritual is a special and unique piece of our sisterhood, and I want all to have a connection to it somehow. 
What do you think is the most important thing this committee can do to ensure members are heard? Make sure all voices are heard. If we sense that someone doesn’t feel safe to speak up, we need to find ways to make sure that all feel it’s a secure place to work together. 

Year of Initiation: 2004 
Resides in: Sacramento, California 
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Public History from Western Michigan University and Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Southern California, Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University 
Pi Phi Experience: Vice President Fraternity Development at Michigan Epsilon; AAC Chair at Virginia Eta; Nation’s Captial, DC, Alumnae Club Vice President Programming and Philanthropy Chair; Local Convention Committee Member; Regional Member Experience Specialist; Current Regional Inclusion Specialist 
Professional Experience: Currently Leadership Program Advisor at Sacramento State University. Prior to going back to school for my M.Ed., I spent seven years working in Jewish Social Justice. 
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? I’m a convert to Judaism, and I found my Jewish identity after being part of Pi Phi, falling in love with Ritual and being part of—and believing in—something bigger than myself. 
What does Pi Beta Phi membership mean to you? It is a pillar of my identity. It's vital to who I am today and how I got here as a Jewish woman and educator. Without Pi Phi, I would be unrecognizable to my current self.  

Year of Initiation: 2011 
Resides in: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada  
Education: Bachelor's degree in Employment Relations & Criminology from the University of Toronto 
Pi Phi Experience: AAC at Ontario Beta; Toronto, Ontario, Alumnae Club Treasurer; Chapter House Corporation (CHC) at Ontario Beta; Current Regional Operations Specialist 
Professional Experience: Manager, Community at Index Exchange focusing on community and employee engagement and events and supporting diversity, equity & inclusion programming. 
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? As a Canadian Pi Phi, first-generation immigrant, woman of color and the first person in my family to join a fraternity or sorority, I have a unique background which helps form what this organization and our Ritual means to me.  
What are you most looking forward to? Being able to listen to the needs of our sisters and move forward together. The most important thing is to be empathetic and listen without judgement or interruption. 

Year of Initiation: 2016  
Resides in: Chicago, Illinois  
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Marquette University and Master of Arts in International Affairs from Marquette University  
Pi Phi Experience: Vice President Event Planning at Wisconsin Delta 
Professional Experience: Legal Coordinator, provides context for issues with complex reasoning; Research Assistant, provides background with data collection and analysis 
What does Pi Beta Phi membership mean to you? My membership feels like a lifeline that connects me back in time to 1867, to the day I was initiated in 2016 and to all the moments I have had over the years with my sisters. It makes the world seem less scary because no matter where I go, I have that lifeline with me.  
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? My background with studying political and social issues and methods of analysis brings great practical value. I bring a lot of human understanding for the complexity of the questions we are asking.  

Year of Initiation: 2004 
Resides in: Calgary, Alberta, Canada  
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from the University of British Columbia; Master’s degree in Systems Engineering and Supply Chain Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Cardiovascular Science from the University of Calgary  
Pi Phi Experience: House Manager at Alberta Alpha and AAC Finance Advisor at Nevada Alpha and Ontario Beta
Professional Experience: Professor since 2019 in the Dhillon School of Business at University of Lethbridge, PhD student in medicine, partner at a consulting company where I consult for major corporations and the government, including the Navy and Coast Guard, and published author. 
What do you think is the most important thing this committee can do to ensure members are heard? We need to be active listeners to ensure each person feels they are heard with the same level of respect and commitment. I’m looking forward to connecting with all my sisters and being a safe space for them to discuss a very sensitive topic. 
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? As a researcher, professor, author and consultant, I have strengths in approaching complex conversations with sensitivity as well as gathering information without bias.  

Year of Initiation: 1959  
Resides in: Dallas, Texas 
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern Methodist University and an honor graduate of The Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University 
Pi Phi Experience: Current Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DEIAC) member and Dallas, Texas, Alumnae Club member 
Professional Experience: Following a 48-year career at Bank of America, I retired in 2012 as a Senior Vice President in Human Resources. In addition to HR, I am also experienced in change management and project management. 
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? I believe many of my professional and personal experiences have prepared me for work with this committee. At Bank of America, I served in change management and project management roles on the HR transition teams during multiple mergers and acquisitions. My involvement with the Dallas, Texas, Alumnae Club has given me insight into alumnae, their perspectives and relationship to the Fraternity. My work with the DEIAC requires much in the way of trust and teamwork, respect, authenticity, active listening, empathy, negotiation and compromise—all of which will be necessary skills in executing the work of the Meeting Ritual Research Committee. 
What does your Pi Beta Phi membership mean to you? In a single word, my membership in Pi Beta Phi means “belonging.” I am looking forward to the work of this committee and "the way forward" where Pi Beta Phi is known as a sisterhood where all members in all their differences are included and where we all belong. 

Year of Initiation: 1982 
Resides in: Keller, Texas 
Education: Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of North Texas
Pi Phi Experience: Collegiate Regional Recruitment Specialist; Director Extension; Grand Vice President Membership; Grand President (2013-2019); Alumnae Engagement Director; Alumnae Club officer; Current AAC Advisor for Texas Epsilon; Current Chapter Support Officer  
Professional Experience: Teacher for 12 years, Business owner for 22 years managing a staff of 30 employees and handling all human resources, accounts receivable and payables, payroll and marketing. 
What does your Pi Beta Phi membership mean to you? My membership in Pi Phi has helped to define the woman I am today. It has provided a lifetime of service, intellectual growth and sincere friendships for which I will be forever grateful. I look forward to working with a group of sisters who are passionate about having conversations about uniting our membership through Ritual, in whatever form that may take. 
What unique experiences of yours will bring value to the committee? Serving on Grand Council for 10 years and being actively involved at both the international and local level for over 30 years provides me with a broad range of perspectives and experiences.  

Year of Initiation: 1969 
Resides in: Woodland Hills, California 
Education: Bachelor of Science in Religion and Spanish from Bucknell University; Master of Science in Urban Recreation Administration from the University of Baltimore; Master of Arts in Management from the University of Redlands; Ph.D. in Recreation from the University of Maryland, College Park 
Pi Phi Experience: Chapter President and Program Chair at Pennsylvania Beta
Professional Experience: Professor of Recreation and Tourism Management at California State University Northridge, Faculty Senate, faculty advisor to Associated Students, Presidential Search Committee.
What are you most looking forward to? Hearing input from diverse cultural perspectives and generations of sisters, exploring relevance of fraternity and sorority life in contemporary society, receiving feedback in a variety of techniques and working effectively with other committee members.  
What unique experiences of yours do you think provide the most value to the work of this committee? Listening to, hearing and understanding diverse perspectives shared by students, faculty, staff and professionals in a variety of situations.  

Year of Initiation: 1968 
Resides in: Collierville, Tennessee  
Education: Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Mississippi  
Pi Phi Experience: Treasurer and Scholarship Chair at Mississippi Beta; AAC Chair and current CHC President at Mississippi Beta; AAC Advisor at Tennessee Delta; Memphis, Tennessee, Alumnae Club President 
Professional Experience: Most of my life I have been a professional volunteer.  I have served on numerous Boards of Directors, both as an officer and as President.  Board of Directors: Memphis Oral School for the Deaf, Collierville Main Street, Collierville Education Foundation, State Executive Committee of political party; President and multiple offices: Subsidium (volunteer auxiliary to Memphis Oral School for the Deaf), PTSA, church women, women's club, Girl Scout leader 
What unique experiences of yours do you think provide the most value to the work of this committee? I have worked on numerous boards and have had leadership positions in large and small organizations. I am always willing to hear all sides of an argument and I am known as a peace maker and a problem solver, not a trouble instigator.  
What does your Pi Beta Phi membership mean to you? Membership in Pi Beta Phi has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I want to give back to an organization that was given so much to me—a home away from home, the experience of teamwork and leadership training I have used throughout my life.