Let's Talk Tri Delta

CEO of Broussard Global Communications, Cary Broussard, North Carolina, was awarded one of Tri Delta’s Woman of Achievement Awards at FOCUS 2020 – our first-ever virtual Convention. Cary has spent her career in various industries raising the voices of women to create confidence and empowerment. She encourages women to step out and be bold without a fear of rejection and to share their stories. Her book, “From Cinderella to CEO” focuses on the transformative stories in fairy tales, and how comebacks are about helping yourself and uplifting others. She discusses some of her great accomplishments in working to transform an entire travel industry, just by listening to women’s voices. Listen to her charming stories on her lifetime journey as a Tri Delta, and how the values of our organization continue to drive her today. 

www.broussardglobal.com 

www.cinderellaceo.com 

https://cinderellaceo.com/c2ceo-awards/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/carybroussard 

On this episode of our LEADDD Now conversations on racism, we are joined by alumna, actress and Broadway star Zakiya Young, Pittsburgh. Zakiya details how she landed into show business and where her career has taken her so far. She and Fraternity President Megan Shaw James, Millsaps, also discuss her experiences as a collegiate Tri Delta – and what it was like to be the only Black woman in a predominantly white chapter. This honest dialogue covers what it’s like to experience bias and microaggressions within a sisterhood, and also how to have the vocabulary, tools and resources to combat and respond. They discuss what allyship looks like today and how to use our voices as women to be heard and seen in society today. Zakiya participated in LEADDD Online and closed our FOCUS 2020 – first virtual Convention – by singing Alpha Theta Phi. She talks about her takeaways from those events and Tri Delta’s LEADDD Now plan to dismantle racism and create a more equitable and inclusive membership experience. 

Read more about LEADDD Now.

Instagram: @officialzakiyayoung

During LEADDD Online, Tri Delta began an important series titled LEADDDD Now - Conversations on Racism. It began with a dialogue featuring Dr. Diane Petersen, Ohio Wesleyan, and Fraternity President Kimberlee Di Fede Sullivan, Pepperdine. Dr. Petersen shared her Tri Delta story as our first Black sister. As a follow-up to that powerful exchange, two amazing young alumnae, incoming chapter development consultant (CDC) Sabur Woldu, Texas/Dallas, and former CDC Lexi Leggs, Millikin, reflect on Dr. Petersen’s Tri Delta story and her professional journey. Sabur and Lexi acknowledge both the progress Tri Delta has made, the work that still needs to be done to address representation, equity and inclusion. Join us as we engage in this important dialogue as we all continue to listen and learn from our Black, Indigenous and Sisters of Color.

Learn more about LEADDD Now.

From an early age, Lacey Horn, Southern Methodist, knew she wanted to serve the Cherokee Nation, of which she is a citizen. She currently serves as CEO of Native Advisory, LLC, where she serves Tribal Leaders as a strategy and financial consultant. With her gifts and talents in financial matters and strategy, she has been able to serve her people and advance the work of other Tribes. Lacey reflects on the ability to understand herself through her own lens to best serve others. She provides encouragement and inspiration about knowing yourself and how all wins and losses provide learning experiences. As our world constantly changes, she insists on the importance of “just keep going” and to be especially brave, bold and kind. 

www.laceyhorn.com 

During LEADDD Online, Tri Delta introduced a series of conversations on racism called LEADDD Now. In this installment, Fraternity President Kimberlee Sullivan, Pepperdine, has a conversation with Dr. Diane Petersen, Ohio Wesleyan, Tri Delta’s first Black member. They discuss the challenges she faced in joining our organization, which wasn’t always kind alike to all. Diane attended college in the 1960s, during the civil rights movement, when not all colleges were integrated – or even open to women attending. She persevered through discrimination on both fronts. She understood the consequences of seeking sorority membership at the time, as it brought ramifications for her and her Delta Upsilon Chapter sisters. Though she and the chapter faced opposition from the national organization, Diane knew she and her sisters had clarity of purpose to stand up for what was right. Through the solidarity and strength of our sisterhood, she made history in Tri Delta. Diane and Kimberlee also discuss the LEADDD Now plan and Tri Delta’s upcoming work to dismantle systemic racism and promote diversity, equity and justice for all as an organization that is kind alike to all. Listen to her inspirational story, with hope for our future. 

Chanda Bell and Christa Pitts, both West Georgia, serve as co-CEO of Creatively Classic Activities and Books, LCC, the Atlanta-based consumer products and entertainment company that launched Elf on the Shelf. Their successes came from creativity and determination, despite being told “no” often in their journey. In collaboration with their mother, they created something magical that has now been shared across the globe. Without experience or knowledge of what it would take to be successful in the world of children’s books, their story is about thriving in spite of being told “no.” They discuss what their greatest accomplishments have been, and what they have yet to accomplish. They offer perspective of what Tri Delta have them the confidence to pursue and give great advice on taking risks. Hear their inspirational story and let that serve as a reminder when your family’s elf makes his or her magical reappearance during the holidays!

Elfontheshelf.com

As our sisterhood knows, kindness has been at the root of Tri Delta from her very beginning in 1888. Sarah Ida Shaw knew it all along, when she and Eleanor Dorcas Pond sought to found a society that should be “kind alike to all.” Tri Delta alumna Wendy Sullivan, California/Los Angeles, created a movement which all started by trying to get her nieces and nephews to be nice to each other.  By focusing on behavior and recognizing “i’m kinder than that,” she made this mantra her mission. Kindness makes you feel good and change your attitudes in more judgmental spaces. Her movement became a nonprofit where she’s been able to speak publicly and encourage others to share #imkinderthanthat. She offers great advice to Tri Deltas of all ages with her message on kindness, empathy and being true to yourself. 

Imkinderthanthat.com

https://www.instagram.com/imkinderthanthat/

#imkinderthanthat Facebook Group

Career help is here! ATHENA Award winner Linda Waters, Vermont, created her company stemming from connecting with other moms in job transitions. Linda has a passion for helping people of any age develop the confidence they need to successfully step out of their comfort zone, embrace change and achieve success. As life evolves, so do we – and it’s important to prepare to pivot when our professional needs aren’t being met. It’s important to check industry trends, as not everyone will work in a field they majored in. Here’s where your natural skills can lead to success. Utilize your networking strategies to make connections, including tools like CONNECTDDD. And always be interview ready by using your unique value proposition to put you ahead of the pack. 

https://backtobusiness.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/something-every-parent-needs-know-linda-waters

This episode of our Life After College series takes a look at best practices for jumpstarting your career or making a professional shift. We are joined by Tri Delta alumna Courtney Condon, Millikin, Regional Sales Manager at LinkedIn, who offers her practical advice. She discusses the importance of re-evaluating industries and assessing the skills and talents that may fit into the industries that are hiring now. We discuss keeping options open to new opportunities that could be stepping stones to finding your dream job. Finally, maximizing your networks through platforms like LinkedIn and CONNECTDDD can be a great way to further your professional endeavors. Click below for a LinkedIn resource for students!

https://university.linkedin.com/linkedin-for-students

www.Connectddd.org

https://www.challengergray.com/

Our Life After College series continues as we are joined by messaging expert Liz Navarro, Pepperdine. Liz is a strategist, public speaking professor and copywriter who professionals activate new opportunities through their communications platforms. She discusses identifying your value add through your skills and talents and offers tips of how to create a clear and compelling career story of your professional history. We also discuss how to share your work, goals and ideas through appropriate social media platforms. 

Check out her recently published article in the Dallas Biz Journal online, Personal branding leads to more opportunities. Here are four ways to elevate yours. Or learn more ways to connect with Liz at https://www.liznavarroco.com.