Meet the Ignite Facilitators
Pi Beta Phi’s new leadership retreat, Ignite, is designed to support the growth of emerging Pi Phi leaders. Ignite facilitators are Pi Phi alumna, often volunteers or campus-based professionals, who will lead small group discussions and activities. These facilitators will play a key role in helping our participants leave inspired, equipped and ready to spark lasting impact.
Hannah Gadd Ardrey, Mississippi Beta
With a 10-year career as a middle school choir and piano teacher, Hannah still finds time to serve as the Member Experience Advisor for Mississippi Beta. As an Advisor, she is passionate about helping emerging leaders realize their potential and surprise themselves. Hannah prioritizes creating safe, interactive spaces where members can reflect, act on feedback and build confidence. She is looking forward to helping emerging leaders evolve into confident, empowered mentors at Ignite this summer.
Jamie Baroff-Thompson, Tennessee Delta
As the fraternity and sorority life coordinator at the University of Missouri, a Critical Conversations® facilitator and a past Alumnae Advisory Committee member for Georgia Beta, Jamie is equipped with facilitation and mentorship experience for both collegians and emerging leaders. She believes leadership is how someone shows up rather than a title they hold, and she is looking forward to empowering young women to embrace their own unique leadership styles.
Daphney Rose Bitanga, California Eta
From serving on Alumnae Advisory Committees to her current role as the Region Eight Alumnae Engagement Director, Daphney has extensive volunteer experience working with Pi Phis across many chapters and generations. With additional practice in small group facilitation, Daphney is approaching Ignite with a strong commitment to Pi Phi’s values and a flexibility to create space for the conversations that naturally emerge. She is most looking forward to seeing how attendees grow in confidence and build lasting connections.
Kelly Cantrell, Mississippi Alpha
Kelly is starting a new and exciting journey as a medical school student. She holds a PhD in American History and spent 18 years working in higher education as the associate dean for academic instruction at East Mississippi Community College. In that role, she led the academic faculty to provide exceptional student-centered education. She previously served as an Alumnae Advisory Committee member and is also a past Leadership Institute facilitator. Kelly is passionate about intentionally building community and confidence for women stepping into leadership roles.
Caroline Carney, Mississippi Alpha
As a 2016 Leadership Institute attendee, Caroline feels passionate about creating the same transformative experience she had for emerging leaders today. In her career as a degree progress specialist and current volunteer role as an Alumnae Advisory Committee member, she has extensive experience advising college-aged students. Caroline believes emerging leaders grow when they recognize their voice matters, and she plans to utilize this approach with Ignite attendees through reflection, vulnerability and peer-to-peer insight.
Olivia Castle, Ohio Epsilon
Olivia served as a Leadership Development Consultant from 2024-2026, equipping her with a breadth of experience in collegiate mentorship, recruitment strategy and confidence building. As someone who was recently an emerging leader herself, Olivia is passionate about creating a safe space for collegians to feel empowered in their personal and professional growth. Furthering her own growth, she is planning to pursue a master’s degree in higher education next year.
Vanushka Dewan, Ontario Alpha
In her various chapter leadership roles at Ontario Alpha, Vanushka led and facilitated a strategy session with fellow collegiate leaders to improve safety and accessibility across the sorority community. This experience shaped her facilitation style as one that challenges assumptions and builds trust among peers. She is most excited to see attendees grow from uncertainty into confidence.
Kyra Flatow, Montana Alpha
Kyra brings extensive volunteer experience at both the local and regional levels, from serving as a chapter leader to then mentoring collegians and now leading within the Fraternity as a Member Experience Specialist. She also offers strong facilitation skills, having served as a 2024 Leadership Institute facilitator, where she guided emerging leaders in building sincere bonds and experiencing Pi Phi beyond their own chapters. Kyra approaches facilitation with reflection, confidence and collaboration and looks forward to helping attendees develop visions for their futures.
Julia Furtaw, Michigan Gamma
As an executive leadership and transition coach and the Region Two Collegiate Regional Director, Julia is established in both her professional and volunteer life, bringing expertise in mentorship, facilitation and leadership. Having worked with both collegians and alumnae in many capacities, Julia’s facilitation style focuses on building trust and vulnerability within all members of a group. She is especially passionate about celebrating different styles of leadership and helping new leaders find their authentic voices.
Hannah Goltz, Wisconsin Delta
While Hannah was in chiropractic school, she led an executive board meeting to brainstorm how to better support leaders in the space. Through strategic questioning and vulnerability, Hannah found the group more aligned, engaged and motivated, and she is excited to channel this experience as an Ignite facilitator. Hannah believes leadership is most successful when you identify your passion and purpose, and she feels called to guide emerging leaders on their own unique journeys.
Mandie Waling Greiwe, Indiana Alpha
After serving as Indiana Alpha’s Alumnae Advisory Committee Chair, and now as the Region Eight Risk Management Specialist, Mandie has a strong understanding of chapter needs and how to best support student leaders. In her professional role as the Disability Resource Center Director at Purdue University, Mandie’s daily work consists of facilitating sensitive conversations focused on access, problem-solving and shared responsibility. Channeling these experiences as an Ignite facilitator, Mandie is most excited to watch emerging leaders realize what they’re capable of.
Nicole Thee Killip, Arizona Gamma
As someone who works in higher education for a state college, Nicole often leads sessions with faculty and team members, creating internal alignment and improving internal processes. Additionally, Nicole holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership, equipping her with a strong foundation in values-based leadership and understanding how diverse groups engage. She is especially passionate about supporting women as they develop confidence and define leadership in a way that feels authentic to them.
Katie Bodlak, Illinois Eta
For two years, Katie has helped lead a small group program for Beta Theta Pi Fraternity members to develop leadership skills, aligning their chapter’s needs to their own leadership skills. As someone who also has a volunteer background and currently serves on Wisconsin Epsilon’s Alumnae Advisory Committee, Katie is excited to share what she’s learned from Pi Phi and help more sisters grow as leaders.
Jennifer Foley Dugan-Burns, Iowa Gamma
Jennifer brings extensive experience in group facilitation across both her professional and volunteer roles. Her background ranges from serving as an Alumnae Advisory Committee Chair and leading a team of early career recruitment professionals to participating in a women in leadership resource group. She approaches facilitation with adaptability and is especially excited to support young women leaders as they navigate the challenges of today’s world.
Jessica Kowalkowski, Michigan Gamma
As a mental health therapist, Jessica provides counseling services to couples, families and individuals aged five years and older. Jessica uses her professional skills in counseling as the Risk Management Specialist for Region 2, regularly coaching leaders through complex situations and challenging conversations. Jessica’s favorite part about supporting emerging leaders is serving as a mentor and watching them grow into their roles, develop confidence in their decision-making and find the strong leadership capabilities within.
Marnie Lee, Alberta Alpha
With a wide range of volunteer roles under her belt—including experience as a Leadership Institute facilitator, Alumnae Regional Programming Specialist, Director Operations, Leadership and Nominating Committee Chair and currently the Region Seven Alumnae Engagement Director—Marnie is passionate about supporting women in leadership both professionally and within Pi Phi. Marnie hopes Ignite will support and inspire emerging leaders, sparking impact across chapters, campuses, careers and communities.
Haeleah Lester, Tennessee Delta
While in graduate school, Haeleah served as the Inclusion Advisor for Arizona Alpha, supporting chapter leaders in fostering an inclusive and welcoming member experience. Now, as a higher education professional, she draws on her experience as a fraternity/sorority advisor where she facilitates workshops, trainings, and leadership development. In her role, she also supports students’ academic success through one-on-one coaching and goal-setting. Haeleah’s facilitation approach for Ignite prioritizes creating an inclusive environment where participants feel comfortable contributing, asking questions, and engaging with different perspectives.
Lori Duncan Montiverdi, West Virginia Alpha
Lori is passionate about supporting emerging leaders, having seen firsthand the transformative power of guidance, mentorship and collaborative learning. In her 33 years as a teacher, and now as a world language department head, she has helped many students develop confidence and essential leadership skills. Lori also has experience in guiding Pi Phi leaders as a Recruitment Advisor for Connecticut Gamma and as the president of the Bostonian, Massachusetts, Alumnae Club.
Janina Navarro, Ontario Alpha
As the Inclusion Advisor for Ontario Alpha, Janina helps guide inclusion-focused conversations and initiatives, mentor chapter leaders and support efforts that encourage respectful engagement and thoughtful leadership across the chapter. Mentorship has always been central to her work as a teacher where she has co-facilitated several professional development sessions for educators. Janina believes that effective facilitation is grounded in relationship building and creating space for growth which she looks forward to bringing to Ignite.
Jessie Ashton Reed, Alabama Beta
Through her career working with colleges, universities and fraternity/sorority headquarters, Jessie has learned that you can’t make leaders, but you can create experiences that foster leadership growth. Jessie is excited to bring a consultative, motivational interviewing approach to her role as an Ignite facilitator. She has served on various Alumnae Advisory Committees (AACs), worked at Pi Beta Phi Headquarters as the Chapter Services and Program Development Coordinator and currently serves on the Leadership and Nominating Committee.
Dana Reilly, Florida Zeta
Alongside her role as a Senior Manager Special Events at Carnegie Hall, Dana remains deeply involved in Pi Phi, serving as a past Alumnae Club President and Foundation Stewardship Committee member, and now as the Region Two Alumnae Engagement Director. She finds the greatest meaning in helping emerging leaders discover that first ‘spark’ of knowledge and confidence. Having been supported by alumnae volunteers from the start of her own Pi Phi journey, Dana is honored to pay it forward by building one-on-one connections with each Ignite participant.
Tessa Betz Ripka, Michigan Alpha
As a longtime Pi Phi volunteer—currently serving as the Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion—and a lead facilitator in her professional life, Tessa has experience in group alignment, mentorship and leadership. Her approach is rooted in human centered design and ensuring all participants feel comfortable and confident. As an Ignite facilitator, Tessa hopes to create an environment where attendees can engage authentically.
Maura Emral Russell, Kentucky Alpha
Maura is excited to support emerging leaders at Ignite, helping young women believe in themselves, trust their decisions and face challenges with confidence. Through her work at the Kentucky Department of Revenue, she develops and facilitates staff trainings and co-leads organizational change management trainings, applying those same skills in her volunteer roles as the AAC Chair for Ohio Iota and a committee member for Arrow in the Arctic.
Alexandra (Ali) Skewes-Cox, Colorado Alpha
In her role at an insurance company, Ali drives new capital while leading a cross-departmental committee of senior leaders to align strategy across multiple departments. She uses these same skills to serve Pi Phi as the AAC Chair for Colorado Gamma. Her facilitation style is rooted in energy and collaboration—she believes the best learning happens when people are having fun together and feel free to take us space. At Ignite, she looks forward to bridging the gap between emerging leaders’ potential and confidence; she hopes to create an encouraging space for members to be heard.
Morgan Domin Smith, Ohio Lambda
As someone who served as a chapter leader, Morgan felt called to give back to the next generation by serving on Michigan Beta’s Alumnae Advisory Committee. Now, as an Ignite facilitator, she feels passionate about channeling these experiences to help attendees grow as women leaders. Through her volunteer perspective and professional experience in nonprofit development—and her past role as Leadership Institute facilitator—Morgan is confident in her abilities to lead with empathy, encourage listening over speaking and prioritize inclusion.
Zoe Smith-Owenby, Mississippi Gamma
Zoe’s leadership and facilitation experience closely aligns with Pi Phi’s focus on developing confident, values‑driven leaders. In her higher education career, she builds relationships, supports philanthropic engagement, and creates meaningful connections that strengthen communities and empower student success. Zoe is excited to support emerging leaders at Ignite because she believes leadership development is most impactful when individuals feel seen, heard, and encouraged to lead in ways that are authentic to who they are.
Nellani (Nell) Sullivan, Mississippi Beta
As a previous Leadership Institute participant, Nell is excited to pour into new leaders at Ignite and give back to a program that has given her immense confidence in herself. Following Leadership Institute, Nell went on to serve the Mississippi Beta Chapter as Chapter President, serving more than 600 members. Currently, Nell works as the Coordinator for Campus Activities and Programs for The University of Missouri, where she frequently facilitates learning opportunities for personal and professional development with student event planners and marketing assistants.
Kelli Susemihl, South Dakota Alpha
Kelli is excited to support emerging leaders at Ignite because of her positive experience as a young leader in Pi Phi. She advised the Greek community at the University of South Dakota, first as the coordinator of sorority and fraternity life and then as assistant director. Now as a student at the University of Nebraska College of Law, pursuing a career in education law, Kelli finds the best way to facilitate is to lead by example and share her own experiences. She is looking forward to instilling confidence in Ignite attendees and sharing ideas they can take back to their chapters.
Katie Todd, New York Epsilon
As the current Risk Management Specialist for Region Three, Katie regularly meets with chapter leaders who are navigating complex situations for the first time. Seeing them gain confidence while learning to balance Sincere Friendship, accountability and values-based decision-making is a rewarding part of her role. Her goal as an Ignite facilitator is for everyone to leave feeling more confident in their voice and connected to the impact they can make.
Kassandra Vogel, Washington Beta
Kassandra’s leadership journey was shaped through her involvement in student government, alongside her experience in Pi Phi, where she learned to navigate ambiguity, collaborate across differences, and develop confidence in her voice. Currently serving as the Recruitment Advisor for Washington Gamma, Kassandra is excited to help Ignite attendees identify their unique leadership skills early. She believes meaningful growth happens when participants feel listened to, challenged and supported, and looks forward to asking thoughtful questions, listening and creating space for reflection.
Heather Weisberger, Arizona Gamma
As AAC Chair for Arizona Gamma, Heather helped design and facilitate a leadership workshop for the Chapter Leadership Team which built on the Leading with Values® presentation, Working, Living, Interacting with Others, creating a more connected and self-aware leadership team. Heather is most energized by creating spaces where emerging leaders feel supported and challenged—helping them recognize their potential, build confidence, and learn from one another with curiosity and intention.
Paytyn Wilson, Montana Alpha
As a Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse, Paytn dedicates her time to learning how to intentionally support the Greek experience as whole. She engages with leaders on campus in honest, sometimes difficult conversations about how to move the community forward, and explore challenges, gaps and opportunities for growth. She brings a balanced and grounded facilitation approach to Ignite with emphasis on creating spaces where all voices are welcomed and valued.
Kristin Zemke, New York Eta
Currently serving as the Region Nine Operations Specialist, Foundation Alumnae Continuing Education Chair and Vice President Finance for the Manchester Area, Connecticut, Alumnae Club, Kristin believes the most impactful women in any room are those who remind others they belong. She can’t wait to offer that same encouragement at Ignite inspired by those who once recognized her potential and cheered her on.
Published April 23, 2026