Values in Action
Her commitment to Pi Phi’s core values has continued throughout her career in higher education, where she champions student success, Personal and Intellectual Growth and meaningful alumnae engagement.
What inspired you to apply to be a consultant?
Past Grand Vice President Alumnae Carolyn Pavletich Lesh, Texas Delta, visited Iowa Gamma for the dedication of the Carrie Chapman Catt Building at Iowa State University. I was one of her hosts, and afterward, she wrote me a note encouraging me to apply for a consultant position.
Around that same time, Erika Herren Anderson—who served as Chapter President before me at Iowa Gamma—was selected as a resident consultant for Nebraska Gamma. I had the opportunity to attend the Nebraska Gamma Installation Weekend, which was incredibly inspiring.
All these signs pointed to what I knew would be a fantastic opportunity to work for Pi Phi as a consultant.
Do you believe your time as a consultant impacted your leadership skills?
In every way, every day! The leadership skills I gained through Pi Phi continue to influence all areas of my life—as a Fraternity leader, parent, Director Facilities Planning and Management at Iowa State University and an engaged member of my community.
From critical thinking and data-informed decision-making to effective communication, strategic planning, collaboration, teamwork and managing change—these are skills I use daily. I also learned the importance of giving and receiving feedback, engaging in difficult conversations and both challenging and supporting the teams I lead and colleagues I work alongside. The list is truly endless!
How has your consultant experience influenced your professional journey?
My experience as a consultant has stayed with me throughout my professional career, especially in my evolution as a leader. There are specific lessons I learned during that time that I still carry with me: caring enough to confront, engaging in difficult dialogue, understanding others’ viewpoints and including them in problem-solving. I also learned to not carry burdens alone—engaging a team makes the journey lighter and the outcome more successful.
How do Pi Phi values align with your professional experience?
Pi Phi’s values align with my professional experience in nearly every way. I spent many years as a Fraternity and Sorority Advisor, and leading with Pi Phi values helped me build connections with student leaders across a variety of fraternal organizations.
Living our values—especially Integrity and Honor and Respect—continues to guide how I engage with colleagues in my current role. Working in higher education, Personal and Intellectual Growth is central to our university’s mission. And in my work with alumnae and donors, I see clear alignment with Philanthropic Service to Others, as they invest in supporting students and creating environments where they can thrive.
What would you tell a collegian or recent alumna who’s considering applying to become a consultant?
What do you have to lose? The consultant role is truly a premier gap year experience. No matter your next step in life—whether it’s launching your career, pursuing a graduate education or deepening your community involvement—serving as a consultant will equip you with invaluable skills and confidence.
How did your time as a consultant inspire you to volunteer with Pi Phi?
Outside of my undergraduate chapter experience and engaging with Alumnae Advisory Committee members and the local alumnae club, serving as a consultant was my first true post-college experience of Friends and Leaders for Life in action.
At the time, Grand Council members oversaw the consultant program, and our consultant class had the incredible opportunity to report directly to the dynamic emeritus duo of Grand Vice President Membership Carol Inge Warren, North Carolina Beta, and Grand Vice President Collegians Sis Mullis, South Carolina Alpha. They were true role models of Lifelong Commitment, constantly challenging and supporting us to become the best versions of ourselves.
I have no doubt each of us carried the fundamental skills and values we learned from Carol and Sis into our next life chapters, whether that was graduate school, law school, parenthood, community involvement or serving as Pi Phi volunteer. While we’ve each moved on and off the Pi Phi “highway” depending on our life stages, every one of the nine of us has continued to serve the Fraternity in various ways.
See the list of other Pi Beta Phi officers and Headquarters (HQ) staff members who started their journeys as consultants.
Pi Beta Phi volunteer officers:
Michelle Hinkley Billard, Michigan Gamma – Leadership and Nominating CommitteeJamie Burke, Alabama Beta – Region Seven Risk Management Specialist
Alexis Karwoski Geik, Indiana Delta – Chapter Support Officer
Lori Haight, Virginia Eta – Region Four Alumnae Engagement Director
Perry Harrington, South Carolina Alpha – Region Nine Community Relations Specialist
Nicole Belinsky Lepperd, Florida Epsilon – Chapter Support Officer
Lisa Masters, Georgia Alpha – Leadership Development Officer
Catherine Roosevelt McCluskey, Michigan Beta – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee and Chapter Support Officer
Tiffany Mitchell Senn, Ohio Theta – Chapter Support Officer
Alex Shaw, Tennessee Gamma – Chapter Support Officer
Dorothy Ruoff, Montana Alpha – Region Six Member Experience Specialist
Lara Omps-Botteicher, West Virginia Alpha – Leadership and Nominating Committee
Stephanie Treanor, Arizona Gamma – Chapter Support Officer
Kate Walsh, California Epsilon – Region Eight Finance/Housing Specialist
Michelle Murrell Willbanks, California Eta – Awards Committee
HQ staff:
Annie Bradshaw, Oklahoma Alpha – Growth Marketing StrategistJill Mackey Carrel, Indiana Gamma – Foundation Executive Director
Samantha Eldridge, Louisiana Beta – Chapter Services Director
Alex Roark Gaskin, New Mexico Alpha – Talent Acquisition Director
Ashley Hallowell Karth, Illinois Eta – Associate Executive Director
Olivia Kennedy, Michigan Gamma – Assistant Director of Education and Programs
Brittany Welter, Montana Alpha – Assistant Director of Chapter Services
The consultant role is a one-of-a-kind opportunity to build your resume, grow your network and shape our sisterhood. Consultant applications open January 12, 2026.
Published December 9, 2025