Great Lakes Region Leadership Institute by AKA Great Lakes Region

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED®

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Saturday, May 21, 2022 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Soror Carrie J. Clark Great Lakes Regional Director

Lynnette M. Heard

Agenda Welcome Soror Lynnette M. Heard Great Lakes Regional Cluster Coordinator Greetings Soror Carrie J. Clark Great Lakes Regional Director Acknowledgement of VSGs Soror Kathryn Walker, Chairman Great Lakes Regional Protocol Committee Occasion Soror Lisa E. Dubose Chairman and Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Graduate Cluster Coordinator Meditation Soror Rachel DaSilva Western New York Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator Logistics Soror Lynnette M. Heard Great Lakes Regional Cluster Coordinator

Executive Leadership Success & Ascension: YES YOU CAN! Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome

Moderated By: Soror Lisa E. Dubose Chairman and Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Graduate Cluster Coordinator

Journey to Entrepreneurship: The Good, The Bad, The Best! Moderated By: Soror LaTonya Y. Denson & Soror Jada Brown Co-Chairman and Southern Ohio Graduate Cluster Coordinator & Southern Ohio Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator Parliamentary Procedure: Unless Authorized in the Bylaws Moderated By: Soror Kelly Harmon & Soror Ateria Walker West Virginia Graduate Cluster Coordinator & West Virginia Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator

Agenda Continued

Leading & Governing: Leveraging the Network Through Paid Board Preparation Moderated By: Soror Lisa E. Dubose & Soror Samara McCullum Chairman and Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Graduate Cluster Coordinator & Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion: It's Tax Time Moderated By: Soror Marcia Thomas & Soror Kierra Abrams Michigan Graduate Cluster Coordinator & Michigan Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator

Leadership is a Serious Matter! Preparing for Leadership Advancement Moderated By: Soror Dawn E. Sanders-Garrett & Soror Rachel DaSalvia Western New York Graduate Cluster Coordinator & Western New York Undergraduate Cluster Coordinator Get Ready, Get Set, SOAR!: Transitioning from Undergraduate to Graduate Membership Moderated By: Great Lakes Regional Undergraduate Cluster Coordinators

It's OK, not to be OK! Self-care and Wellness Moderated By: Soror LaTonya Y. Denson Co-Chairman and Southern Ohio Graduate Cluster Coordinator Wrap Up Soror Lisa E. Dubose Chairman and Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Graduate Cluster Coordinator Soror LaTonya Y. Denson Co-Chairman and Southern Ohio Graduate Cluster Coordinator Acknowledgements Soror Lynnette M. Heard Great Lakes Regional Cluster Coordinator Closing Remarks Soror Carrie J. Clark Great Lakes Regional Director

Guest Speakers

ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror April Aycock Director of Community Services, Monroe County

Soror April Aycock is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Master Level Credentialed Alcoholism Substance Abuse Counselor. She completed her doctoral degree in executive leadership at St. John Fisher College. Soror April is a graduate of the African American United Way Leadership Program. Clinically, Soror April has experience working as a consultant, presenter, clinical supervisor, psychiatric emergency evaluator, group facilitator, private practice therapist, and an adjunct teacher. Soror April developed an adolescent substance use disorder program and an embedded adolescent substance use disorder program within a mental health clinic. She has a wealth of experience in DWI/DUI assessments, mental health concerns, addictions, and family conflicts. Currently, Soror April is the first African American Monroe County Office of Mental Health Director. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing public mental health services to improve quality of life for people suffering from mental health, addiction, and intellectual developmental disability. On December 19, 2021, Soror April became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Nu Omega Chapter. In Soror April’s free time, she enjoys spending time with her children, family, and friends. She also enjoys laughing, eating, and watching comedy shows and criminal minds.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Lela Coffey Vice President

Procter & Gamble North America Hair Care and Multi-Cultural Beauty

Soror Lela Coffey is Vice President for P&G Beauty’s North America Hair Care Portfolio, which includes brands like Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Aussie and Herbal Essences, as well as the multicultural brands Gold Series and Royal Oils. She also serves as Brand Principal for Walker & Co. With more than 20 years of brand building experience, Soror Lela has been a brand leader for some of P&G’s most iconic brands including Olay, Always and Tampax. Her passion for marketing excellence and inclusivity sets a high bar for business-building impact, challenging her colleagues and herself to deliver products and programs that are meaningful for consumers and communities alike. This includes growing P&G’s community platform, My Black is Beautiful, into a new brand designed specifically for natural hair, created by and for women of color. A determined advocate for developing talent and building capability, Soror Lela invests a substantial part of her time coaching and supporting the growth of her teams, including to foster deeper understanding of the impact diverse, inclusive teams can have on businesses and organizations alike. Most recently, Lela spearheaded the creation of P&G’s 4R Framework for Equality & Inclusivity, which is being used across P&G Beauty’s brands to more authentically connect with traditionally underserved consumers. Married to a fellow P&Ger, Soror Lela has two beautiful daughters, and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. In her free time, you can find Lela reading a good book or attending the activities of her teenage daughters. Soror Lela also serves on the Board of the Cincinnati Zoo.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Kiva Fisher-Green Co-Founder Sanant Counseling & Wellness, LLC

Soror Kiva was initiated into Alpha Alpha Omega Chapter in Pittsburgh, PA in 2021. Soror Kiva is a licensed clinical social worker, a certified clinical trauma professional and co-founder of Sanant Counseling & Wellness LLC, a private mental health practice located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She formerly served as Director of Social Services for Primary Care Health Services where she was responsible for the executive management and implementation of all social service programs. Kiva has an extensive background in social services and direct clinical practice. A 5-year breast cancer survivor, Kiva is an advocate for individuals and is committed to ensuring that systems of care holistically respond to the needs of everyone, particularly those who represent underserved populations. Kiva had been recognized as a New Pittsburgh Courier Woman of Excellence, a Jefferson Awardee for Public Service, a Social Work Appreciation of Greatness Awardee, and a Professional Women’s Network Awardee. She received her master’s degree in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Antoinette Hardy-Waller President/Chief Executive Officer The Leverage Network

Antoinette (Toni) Hardy-Waller is Chief Executive Officer of The Leverage Network, a non-profit organization committed to the promotion of board and leadership diversity by increasing the number of seats held by Blacks on Boards and executive leadership positions healthcare. She is an accomplished senior executive, entrepreneur and clinician, with extensive leadership and management experience. She has more than 30 years of experience building, owning and managing health care businesses in the Post-Acute space. Prior to co-founding TLN, Toni founded Strategic Healthcare Transformations (SHcT), a national consulting firm assisting health systems nationally in the development of post-acute continuums of care and population health strategies. Toni was also founder and CEO of two successful skilled home health companies, the first of which grew to become the largest proprietary home care company in the Chicagoland area. She subsequently sold that company to Columbia HCA as their flagship home care company for the Chicago region, Columbia Home Care. Columbia Home Care was the largest national home care company with more than 400 home care agencies across the country. Toni is a member of CommonSpirit Health Board of Stewardship Trustees one of the largest health systems in the country with revenues exceeding $33 billion, 142 hospitals across 21 states and 700 care sites. Prior to her appointment, Toni was Vice Chair of the Board of Stewardship Trustees for Catholic Health Initiatives. Toni holds a Master’s in Jurisprudence from Loyola University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Illinois Chicago. She has authored several articles to include, “Why ending disparities in healthcare must start at the top” (Hospitals & Health Networks Daily, Leadership & Strategy, January 9, 2017) and “Increasing Board Diversity: An Imperative for Success in the Next Era” (Nurse Admin Q, Vol. 39, No.1, January-March 2015, pp. 23-27) where she speaks about the importance of nurses on boards. She has served on several other boards to include the boards of Alegent Creighton Health, the National Association for Health Services Executives, and the American Hospital Association’s governing boards for The Center for Healthcare Governance and Long Term Care.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Valissa Howard Vice President Talent & Legal Services Greater Cleveland Food Bank

Soror Valissa Turner Howard, Esq. is the Vice President of Talent and Legal Affairs at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, Soror Valissa provides advice and counsel to the President & CEO, as well as strategic oversight in talent development, human resources, volunteer engagement, and organizational culture building work. She also leads the work to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion are strengths of the organization, and oversees legal affairs. Soror Valissa has held previous positions in government, private practice, higher education, and as a federal judicial law clerk. Soror Valissa obtained her B.A. from UC Irvine, an M.A. and Certification from Cleveland State University, and a J.D. from CWRU School of Law. Throughout her professional life, Soror Valissa also has been an engaged and resourceful community leader volunteering her time, talent and treasure to various organizations. In fact, over the years she has been recognized for her leadership and service with several awards, including the 2022 Ohio State Bar Foundation Community Service Award for Attorneys Under 40; 2021 Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association President’s Award; 2021 Rising Leader Award from the NAACP – Cleveland Branch; 2021 Ingenuity Award from Alpha Omega Chapter; and 2018 Distinguished Young Woman Award from the YWCA Greater Cleveland. She continues to be a very engaged member of Alpha Omega Chapter currently serving as Technology Committee Chairman, Community Concerns Committee Assistant Chairman, and Standards Committee member. Soror Valissa is a proud legacy initiated into Alpha Omega Chapter on November 11, 2018.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Candace N. Huff Vice President Key Bank Relationship Manager

Born and raised in Indianapolis, IN, Soror Candace N. Huff owned and operated a full-service multicultural salon for over 20 years in Downtown Indianapolis. Soror Candace now resides in Cincinnati, OH, where she currently serves as Vice President with KeyBank as the Regional Relationship Manager covering the areas of Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland in matters concerning Financial Wellness. She holds a bachelor's degree in business management and a master's degree in organizational leadership both from Indiana Wesleyan University. Intentionally aligning her work with her personal mission to empower business owners, Soror Candace is a highly sought-after consultant and public speaker in the areas of business leadership and professional development. Every day she intentionally aligns her work with her personal mission to empower current and aspiring business owners by THINKING BEYOND THE CHAIR ℠ as a Salon Business Development Strategist ℠. As a Salon Business Development Strategist ℠, Soror Candace’s goal is to help African American Women Stylists understand the value of creating multiple revenue streams including business acquisition, products and protection so that one may establish long-term financial security & independence and not be shackled to the day-to-day dependence of servicing clients to survive. Alongside her husband Chris, Soror Candace is also a real estate investor and property developer. They have four beautiful daughters – Hayli, Aliyah, Genesis, Trinity, and a Great Dane named Matthias. Outside of making the world a better place - one successful business owner at a time – Soror Candace enjoys 5am workouts at OrangeTheory Fitness, prefers tea cookies with coffee over oatmeal for breakfast, cheese and crackers over salmon and asparagus for lunch and Malbec wine for dinner. She reads an insatiable number of autobiographies, watches too many documentaries, travels the world - as her 17-year old’s companion for Competitive Dance Team, still cheers for the Pacers and the Super Bowl winning Colts, and is inspired by friends and family through meaningful conversations, collaborations and partnerships. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Soror Candace serves in the Alpha Mu Omega Chapter’s Million Dollar Investment Club serving as Secretary and in her local chapter, Phi Psi Omega, as Assistant Treasurer and Protocol Chairman. Please feel free to connect with Soror Candace on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram @candacenhuff and visit her website at www.candacenhuff.com!

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Shantelle K. Jenkins Associate Professor and Assistant Vice President for Graduate and Professional Studies Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Soror Shantelle K. Jenkins, EdD is an Associate Professor of Leadership and Assistant Vice President for the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Soror Shantelle began her career as a research assistant for the Ohio Department of Education (ODHE) in 2001 where her passion for education inequities became profoundly clear. Soror Shantelle is a lead collaborator for an Academic Think Tank and has lectured on topics related to inclusive pedagogy, women in leadership, and student learning assessment. She has presented at both national and international conferences. The Ohio State University Black Alumni Society inducted Soror Shantelle into Buckeyes Under 40 for her community service, leadership, and philanthropy as a proud 2003 dual degree alumna. In 2013, Soror Shantelle received her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She also holds a master’s of science degree and MBA with a concentration in human resource management, a certificate in non-profit management from Bryn Mawr College, and a certificate in leadership coaching from Georgetown University. Her research interests include executive coaching, talent development, and women in leadership. A legacy, initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Rho Psi Omega Chapter in 2007, she has been recognized at both the chapter and regional level for her service to all mankind serving in various committee, elected officer, and regional positions. Soror Shantelle is a 2021 inaugural Executive Leadership Academy fellow

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Janece Kerr Owner The Couture Soror

Soror Janece R. Kerr, PMP, MBA, MPM is a Chicago native who offers marketing and management expertise that flourishes in both public enterprises as well as the private sector. The diversity of her portfolio spans numerous industries including but not limited to fashion, sports, entertainment, youth development, non-profit management, health, and event planning. Soror Janece completed her bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. She followed that achievement with a master’s of business administration degree with a concentration in marketing, and a master’s degree in project management. In 2014, she earned her PMP certification from the PMI Institute and is working toward a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from the American Society for Quality (ASQ). Fulfilling a longtime entrepreneurial aspiration, Soror Janece converted her professional experience, nonprofit acumen and classroom milestones into an online business, The Couture Soror (www.TheCoutureSoror.com), established in 2010 and specializes in “a feministic twist on traditional paraphernalia” for Greek-letter and minority based non-profit organizations. It has become a premiere apparel brand for many sororities and nonprofits internationally. In 2019, Soror Janece’s entrepreneurial endeavor, The Couture Soror, became the first official vendor of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated to establish its own EAF Endowment which will yield scholarships for undergraduate Sorors seeking to become entrepreneurs. Still growing, the summer of 2022 will bring a much-anticipated inaugural storefront for The Couture Soror in the Chicagoland area. Since 2008, Soror Janece has been an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and has served as an elected officer and an award-winning chairman of many initiatives, including service at regional levels. From 2013-2016, she served as a board member of the Imani Pearls Community Development Foundation, (the philanthropic arm of Chi Omega Omega Chapter). In 2018, Soror Janece was a Leadership Fellowship panelist, where she was the catalyst for several undergraduate Sorors receiving small business grants to jumpstart their respective entrepreneurial journeys.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Betty Maceo Adjunct Professor, Heidelberg University School Counselor, Lorain City Schools

Soror Betty has worked in the field of Education for almost 40 years. She is a Licensed Professional School Counselor and was employed with Sandusky City Schools, Sandusky, Ohio for 30 years, 20 of those years as a school counselor. Upon retiring, Soror Betty continues to work as a school counselor on an asneeded basis and most recently returned to work full-time again with Lorain City Schools, Lorain, Ohio. She is an Adjunct Professor at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio and Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio where she teaches courses in the Graduate Counseling Departments of both. She is also an Education Consultant with TBM Consultants, LLC where she provides professional development to educators, students, parents and the community. Soror Betty earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Kent State University and her master’s of education degree in school counseling from Bowling Green State University A proud newly crowned Silver Star, Soror Betty was initiated into Iota Phi Omega, Lorain, Sandusky, and Elyria, Ohio Graduate Chapter in 1997, where she twice served as Basileus.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Jasmyne E. McCoy 2nd Supreme Anti-Basileus, Alpha Omega Chapter

Soror Jasmyne E. McCoy is a young trailblazer with an extremely bright future ahead! She feels blessed to have been elected as the Second Supreme Anti-Basileus at the historic Virtual AKA 69th Boule on July 15, 2020. The Little Rock, Arkansas native was initiated in the Fall of 2018 into the Lambda Upsilon Chapter at Harvard University. She has held the positions of Grammateus, Hodegos, Chaplain, and EAF Chairman. In 2019, she was selected to be a Leadership Fellow. She is also proud to be an AKA Legacy. Soror Jasmyne graduated Pre-Med concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology with a secondary in African-American Studies and a citation in Spanish. She plans on becoming an Opthamologist specializing in retinal surgery. At Harvard, she remained busy as a Peer Advising Fellow, Academic Resource Center Tutor for Chemistry and Calculus, and is a former Crimson Cheerleader. During the summer, she studied abroad in Venice, Italy at Universita Ca'Foscari Venezia and was an HIV/AIDS Research Assistant for the Ragon Institute in Durban, South Africa. She's very proud to have made straight As more than once at Harvard and waa member of North Atlantic Region's 4.0 Club. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies, traveling, listening to music, or shooting videos for her YouTube channel. Other honors include serving in Jack and Jill of America as the Mid-Western Regional Teen Vice President, Duke TIP Scholar, March of Dimes National Student Leadership Corps, AKA EAF Essay Winner, Presidential Volunteer Service Award, MIT W.I.S.E. Program, YMCA Youth Character Award, recipient of the David Rockefeller International Studies Grant, and winner of the prestigious Princeton Prize in Race Relations. She also holds the distinction of receiving the Inaugural Fashionably Greek Scholarship in 2020. Soror Jasmyne's vision for Alpha Kappa Alpha is that undergrads R.E.A.C.H their highest potential. They should be resilient, show excellence, have ambition, strive for greater connection, and put their heart in all they do! This will ensure Alpha Kappa Alpha is able to exemplify excellence through sustainable service for all years to come. Soror Jasmyne lives by this Bible verse from Isaiah 12:2 ~ "God is my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid."

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Andrea Price Strategic Advisor RMP Group, LLC and former President/CEO Mercy Health Partners

Soror Andrea Price serves as a Strategic Advisor to RMP Group, LLC. Previously, she served as President and CEO of Mercy Health Partners which consists of a seven-hospital Catholic health system, Mercy College of Ohio, and Mercy Medical Group, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio. Mercy has more than 7,200 employees, 1,350 medical staff members, and annual gross revenues of $3.3 billion. Prior to this position, Soror Andrea was the executive vice president and COO for Sparrow Health System in Lansing, Michigan; and as President and in other senior executive roles at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, MI, and Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. She is board certified in healthcare management and a Fellow in the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE). She was named one of the “Top 25 Minority Healthcare Executives” by Modern Healthcare magazine and one of the top 100 health systems and hospital CEOs by Becker’s Hospital Review. Andrea served as the 24th National President for the National Association of Health Services Executives. She received a BA degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and MHA degree from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. Soror Andrea was initiated in Zeta Chi Omega Chapter in 1984 and is an active member and immediate past Basileus of Zeta Alpha Omega Chapter. Andrea is Married to medical doctor Edward Johnson, and proud parents of 4 adult children (Kristina, Malcolm, Alana & Myles).

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Jenell R. Ross President

Bob Ross Auto Group, Bob Ross BuickGMC and Mercedes Benz Centerville, Ohio Soror Jenell R. Ross earned her bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed the General Motors Dealer Management Development Program and graduated from the National Automobile Dealers Association Dealer Candidate Academy. Soror Jenell is the only second generation African American Woman Automobile Dealer in the country. She accepted the leadership role of the dealerships in July 1997 after the untimely death of her father Robert P. Ross Sr., who in 1974 started the family-owned business in Richmond, Indiana. Soror Jenell became president after the passing of her mother, Mrs. Norma J. Ross in 2010. Today, the Bob Ross Auto Group located in Centerville, Ohio, includes three franchises: Buick, GMC, and Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes-Benz of Centerville was the first African American owned Mercedes-Benz Dealership in the world. Currently, the Bob Ross Auto Group also has the distinction of being the only Buick, GMC and Mercedes-Benz Dealerships owned by an African American ‘Woman’. This year the Bob Ross Auto Group celebrated 48 years as a Buick Dealer, 43 years as a Mercedes-Benz Dealer and 40 years as a GMC Dealer. Soror Jenell is an active member of the Dayton community serving on numerous boards of several foundations and community service organizations. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors for Cars.com, is an Independent Director to the Hub Group’s Board of Directors and is a Board of Trustee Member for the University of Dayton, while serving as a Board Member for the Minority Business Partnership through the Dayton Chamber of Commerce. Soror Jenell is an active member of the Dayton Area Automobile Dealers Association and the Ohio Auto Dealers Association. Most recently, Career Mastered honored her with the Trail Blazer Leadership Award. Among her many awards, in 2015 she received the Inaugural Presidential Award from Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Beta Eta Omega Chapter for Outstanding Community Leadership. In 2016, she received the Green Diamond Award from the Alpha Kappa Alpha Educational Advancement Foundation Inc. She is a Silver Star Life Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Eta Omega Chapter, a Life Member of the NAACP, NCNW and Urban League. She is a member of the Dayton (OH) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated ®,and Trinity Presbyterian Church.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Gigi Secuban Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion Ohio University

Soror Gigi Secuban, EdD joined Ohio University in 2018 as its first Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, responsible for the overall strategy for diversity and inclusion at Ohio University and direct oversight for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Center, Multicultural Center, Office of Multicultural Student Access and Retention (OMSAR), and the Women’s Center She previously served as the associate vice chancellor and director of the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to this position, she worked at the University of Arkansas for 15 years in a number of roles, including the director of Student Affairs and Diversity in the College of Education and Health Professions, director of the Multicultural Center, and as the senior associate director of the Freshman Engineering Program in the College of Engineering. Soror Gigi received her doctorate in Higher Education Administration from the University of Arkansas in 2011. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and a master of science degree in health science, both from the University of Arkansas. She is a proud 29-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, as well as a former member of the Epsilon Epsilon Omega chapter in Central Illinois where she served as Hodegos and a charter member of the Phi Alpha Omega chapter in Northwest Arkansas. She was initiated into the Kappa Iota Chapter on April 11, 1993 at the University of Arkansas. Soror Gigi was selected in 2021 as a fellow in the inaugural Executive Leadership Academy as part of her leadership within the sorority.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

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Soror Wanda Sims President National Association of Parliamentarians

Soror Wanda M. Sims has been a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians (NAP) since 2008. After serving as Treasurer and Vice-President, Soror Wanda was elected President at the 43rd NAP Biennial Convention on September 9, 2021. She is a past President of the McCaskill Unit, a member of the Central Florida Unit, the Florida State Association of Parliamentarians, the District of Columbia Association of Parliamentarians member-at-large, and the Maryland Association of Parliamentarians member-at-large, and the American Institute of Parliamentarian (AIP). Soror Wanda served as the Assistant Workshop Coordinator for the 2015 NAP Biennial Convention 2015 and the 2012 and 2014 NAP District 2 Conference Coordinator. As a Professional Registered Parliamentarian (PRP) and Certified Parliamentarian (CP), Soror Wanda has experience serving as a parliamentarian and providing advice on parliamentary procedure, including meeting strategy, developing, revising, and amending bylaws, conducting parliamentary procedure workshops for local governments, civic organizations, and churches, overseeing elections, training presiding officers, boards and committees, preparing meeting scripts, and analyzing unique and complex matters. Soror Wanda is a member of Saint Mark AME Church in Orlando, Florida. Before joining Saint Mark, Wanda was a member of the First African Methodist Church of Gaithersburg, MD, for 36 years. She is the Connectional Parliamentarian for the Women’s Missionary Society and Connectional Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Soror Wanda has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, and a master's degree in organization development and human resources from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD. In 2016 she retired from the federal government after working for the Federal Communications Commission for 36 years. She is a native of Nashville, TN, a member of Psi Theta Omega Chapter and a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a legacy life member of the National Council of Negro Women, and a life member of the National League of American Pen Women. Soror Wanda currently resides in Kissimmee, Florida.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Shantel Thomas President and CEO A Sound Mind Counseling Service, LLC

Soror Shantel Thomas, PhD, PCC-S, LSW is a published author, President, CEO and Founder of the Center For Healing The Hurt, a free trauma-based therapy center for kids and teens in the Cincinnati inner city. She is also the CEO of A Sound Mind Counseling Service. Soror Shantel has been trained and certified in numerous counseling techniques; a few to note are trauma and crisis intervention. Her 20 clinician private practice has four locations in the greater Cincinnati area. The clinicians are trained in numerous areas of mental health. They focus on individual, child, family, couples and group therapy. Their training includes but is not limited to: Christian counseling, crisis intervention, trauma, depression, anxiety, marriage counseling and sign language. Soror Shantel provides individual, couple and group therapy to people of all cultural backgrounds and ages. In addition to private practice, she has presented both locally, nationally and internationally to numerous audiences, in corporate, academic and church settings. She has trained companies in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and has been the keynote speaker for numerous conferences and will keynote the Ohio Counseling Association spring conference in 2022. In 2019, Soror Shantel was honored as a People Of Color Wellness Alliance GEM and also graduated from The Cincinnati Regional Chambers Leadership Cincinnati, Class 42. In 2018 Shantel was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Princeton Hight School, her alma mater. She was honored with the highest award in the city in 2017, the YWCA’S Career Women of Achievement. She has been a Health Care Hero, selected as one of Cincinnati’s Leading Women and an Athena Awards finalist. Soror Shantel Thomas also was honored to be in Who’s Who is Black Cincinnati on numerous. Soror Shantel received her B.A. and M.Ed. from the University of Toledo where she was inducted into the University of Toledo’s Hall of Fame in 2006. She attended the University of Toledo on a full athletic scholarship and had a stellar career as a sprinter, traveling the world competing and receiving various honors, including MAC Athlete of the Year and NCAA Woman of the Year for Ohio. Soror Shantel received her doctorate is from Kent State University. She was initiated into Alpha Lambda Chapter, Spring 1989 and a current member of Sigma Omega Chapter.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Adrienne Trimble Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer Sysco Corporation

Soror Adrienne Trimble is the Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer for Sysco Corporation where she is a known thought leader for advancing corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. She has led DEI and Social Innovation initiatives for large, complex organizations nationally and globally. Additionally, she has served as the leader of a non-profit national organization, with global affiliates, providing certification and development for minority owned businesses. She began her work in inclusion at Toyota Motor North America, where she worked closely with the company’s senior leadership team in developing advocacy and accountability measures to integrate DEI processes across the organization’s business operations. During her tenure, she aligned diversity, equity and inclusion with the business strategy to help position Toyota as the #1 sales leader in the African American, Hispanic American and Asian American markets. She also worked closely with the company’s External Diversity Advisory Board chaired by the Honorable Alexis Herman. She led the company’s rise on the DiversityInc Top 50 list from #42 to #25 in two short years. A graduate of Wilberforce University, Soror Adrienne holds a bachelor of Science degree in Organization Management. In 2014, she was appointed to the Board of Trustees of her alma mater. Other board and committee leadership positions include The Herndon Institute Corporate Board Director Development Cohort, VisitDallas Diversity Advisory Council, and The Collin County Business Alliance. Previous Executive Committee roles include the Billion Dollar Roundtable, and Unidos, the leading civil rights organization for Hispanic and Latino Americans. Soror Adrienne was initiated into Sigma Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in 2011, and currently is a member of Chi Zeta Omega Chapter.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Ashley Ware School-based Therapist and Supervisor, Red Oak Behavioral Health

Soror Ashley works at a mental health agency where she provides therapeutic services to elementary school children within the school setting. She provides training and mentorship to new employees and provides supervision to licensed therapists at the agency as well. She is also a certified trainer for the Mental Health First Aid Program through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. As a certified trainer, she trains community members on how to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health challenges for youth and being able to link them to the appropriate supports. Soror Ashley has previous experience in working in the outpatient mental health setting with people of all ages. She also worked in the community-based setting, serving youth and young adults who were at risk of homelessness and dealing with severe mental health and substance use/abuse challenges. Soror Ashley received her bachelor of science degree in psychology at Bowling Green State University and her master of arts degree in community counseling at The University of Akron. Soror Ashley Ware was initiated into the Iota Iota Chapter at Bowling Green State University in 2007 and is currently a member of the Zeta Theta Omega Chapter in Akron, OH.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Jasmine Williams Undergraduate Member at Large Delta Rho Omega Chapter

Soror Jasmine Williams is a Fall 2018 initiate of the Beta Eta Chapter at the University of Michigan, the same chapter in which her mother and sister were initiated. Within her chapter, Soror Jasmine has served as First Vice President, Hostess, Programs Chairman, and Sisterly Relations Chairman. She also has served on the regional level as a member of the Great Lakes Regional Sisterly Relations Committee. Soror Jasmine is a graduate of the Stephen M. Ross School of Business where she is majored in business administration with a concentration in marketing. As a graduate, she has aspirations to pursue a career in marketing and to one day become an entrepreneur. In addition to her service to the sorority, Soror Jasmine is an active member of the University of Michigan community. She recently served as Vice President of Membership for the Black Business Undergraduate Society and President of EnspiRED Runway, a student ran fashion show organization that has a strong philanthropic focus. Soror Jasmine was selected to serve on the Dean of Students Advisory Board and is a recipient of the Michael B. and Nancy S. McLelland Preparation Initiative Scholarship. Her mission while serving as Undergraduate Member-at-Large of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated ® is to guide all members on a “Journey to A Supreme Sisterhood.” She would like to enhance the experience of undergraduate members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. by encouraging networking beyond regions, revamping the mentoring program between undergraduate and graduate members, and increasing the history taught to undergraduate members regarding past Board of Directors and administrations. Soror Jasmine is excited for the opportunity to serve the sorority in this capacity and to continue working for undergraduate members. She recently transferred her undergraduate membership and now is a member of Delta Rho Omega Chapter.

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ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INCORPORATED

GREAT LAKES REGION LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE

Soror Amani Wilson 2022 Leadership Fellow Iota Iota Chapter, Bowling Green State University

Soror Amani Wilson is a 2022 graduate of Bowling Green State University and received her bachelor’s degree in applied health science, with a minor in chemistry on a pre-medical track. During her time at BGSU, she has served in many other organizations such as the President’s Leadership Academy, Minority Association of Pre-Health Students (MAPS), S.M.A.R.T (Students of color Mentoring, Aiding, Retaining, and Teaching) and Elem3nt Dance Team. Soror Amani is currently working fulltime in healthcare as clinical research assistant and is applying to medical school this summer. She was initiated in the Illustrious Iota Iota Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® on November 15, 2020. Soror Amani is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® 2022 Leadership Fellow Cohort. A former two term basileus serving in the academic years of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, she also served as the MIP Chairman in Spring 2022.

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