Building Leaders for Life

Since our founding, Pi Phis have encouraged and empowered one another as confident women leaders. Our Fraternity provides a space for members to practice and expand their leadership skills through officer and volunteer roles, as well as innovative programming and events.

At Pi Beta Phi Leadership Institute, collegians explore their leadership capabilities as they learn to drive change. The four-day immersive experience provides young leaders with the tools to make change in themselves, their campuses and their communities— all while connecting with Pi Phis who inspire and challenge them.

While the primary focus of the event is supporting emerging collegiate leaders, Leadership Institute offers an impactful development opportunity for the alumnae volunteer facilitators who lead small-group discussions and activities. Sessions on vision, communication, collaboration, relationship building, resiliency and confidence resonate with women along every step of their personal leadership journey. Below, some of this year’s alumnae facilitators share their reflections on the event and what they gained from the experience.

South Dakota Alpha Alison Pilgrim

For me, Leadership Institute was another opportunity to give back to an organization that has given me so much, and to support the newest generation of Pi Phis. I expected to enjoy my time working with our collegians and was not disappointed—our newest members continue to impress me every day with their intelligence, ambition and kindness. What I hadn’t expected was the opportunity to bond with other Pi Phi alumnae in a way that’s completely different from alumnae club activities or serving on an Alumnae Advisory Committee.

I learned about my own competencies as a leader and identified some areas I could develop further. Digging into the topic of confidence was particularly impactful. It’s relevant for women of all ages—I’ve had those imposter syndrome moments myself—but it was especially gratifying to see our collegians open up about what positively or negatively impacts their confidence. I hope they all left Leadership Institute with the tools to achieve their purpose and the drive to keep finding new goals to pursue.

My Pi Phi cup was filled just by being around other passionate and driven sisters. Our whole Halo Huddle (small group) is still in contact—we follow each other on social media and talk in our GroupMe chat. I especially loved working with my facilitation partner, California Nu RAINEY LYNCH, who I’d first met during the 2019-2020 academic year when she visited the chapter I advised while serving as a Leadership Development Consultant.

West Virginia Alpha Amy Tunison Wamsley

My experience at Leadership Institute has been one of the highlights of my entire year. Initially, I wanted to apply as a facilitator to improve my leadership skills. I was a bit apprehensive, as I had not been involved with Pi Phi for quite a while. However, when I arrived and saw South Carolina Alpha SIS MULLIS, whom I’d met at West Virginia Alpha, I knew I’d be just fine. I found a group of women who welcomed me with open arms and Sincere Friendship—which is why I joined Pi Phi.

You know you’re part of something special when you meet a collegian from your own chapter and immediately bond. I felt that way when I met fellow West Virginia Alpha CAROLINE RODRIGUEZ. We talked about our shared love for our chapter and were able to visit Pi Phi Headquarters together. Being able to be a part of Halo Huddle 15 and meeting women who are making a huge impact in their chapters and communities was an honor I won’t soon forget. For me, Leadership Institute was a place where I reestablished my love for service, friendship and Pi Phi. Our sisterhood is a place where I met friends for life, and it continues to bring friends into my life.

Utah Alpha Ashlee Janovak

Being able to serve as a facilitator at Leadership Institute was a privilege. It was a fantastic professional development opportunity; presenting and public speaking are not my strongest skills, and I wanted to step outside my comfort zone. I learned new things to incorporate at work and even went through a leadership competency activity with my boss once I returned home. A few competencies I’d placed at the bottom of my list were areas where he thought I excelled.

Supporting Pi Phi’s leadership development opportunities is investing in the future of our collegiate sisters and the future of our dear Fraternity. The women in my Halo Huddle were so impressive—I loved their commitment to making themselves better leaders. I hope our collegians were able to see that Pi Phi is truly a Lifelong Commitment and that there are so many benefits to staying involved as an alumna. I believe our future will be strong because of their achievements and impact.

Pi Phi is committed to developing the next generation of women leaders—helping them find and use their voices. Programs and events like Leadership Institute are made possible by our Foundation through gifts to The Friendship Fund and The Leadership Fund. Because of generous sisters and friends, we can ensure every Pi Phi continues to receive transformational opportunities for leadership and growth. Learn more at pibetaphi.org/foundation.

Ashlee's Halo Huddle. From left: Alberta Alpha RUBY LEE, Louisiana Beta FATIMAH AVENDANO, Florida Alpha MACKENSIE STELLRECHT, Mississippi Alpha KAELA BARNICLE, Wisconsin Epsilon EMMA PLANK, California Theta SAMANTHA SWAN, Ohio Epsilon ELLA LOCKSHIN and Texas Beta AVA TODD