After nationwide search, next leader selected for Sorority and Foundation

June 28, 2021, MEMPHIS, Tennessee – At its Convention on Saturday, Kappa Delta announced that Maggie Waples (Delta Sigma-South Alabama) will serve as the next executive director for the Sorority and Foundation. She has more than 25 years of marketing and business experience working for global higher education, consumer products and technology companies. 

As the recent global vice president of product management and marketing at Deflecto, a global consumer products company, Maggie led her team to launch a full product line of personal protection equipment to support businesses and schools during the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to joining Deflecto, she spent three years as the senior vice president of marketing and general manager of the yearbook division at Herff Jones, a leading provider of graduation, recognition and achievement products. Maggie also managed a $1B higher education portfolio of learning content and educational technology solutions at Pearson, the world’s leading learning company,  where she became a mentor for the company’s leadership development program. Maggie has a history of leading large-scale teams of 40+ toward successful execution of strategic plans and organizational excellence. Maggie received her MBA with a concentration in marketing from the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University in California and her bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama. 

“Kappa Delta focused on finding a strategic, mission-driven leader who could take our organization into the future and meet our membership’s evolving needs,” said Susan Stockton, National President of Kappa Delta. “Maggie is a warm, inspirational person, and National Council is excited to partner with her and confident that Kappa Delta will be well positioned under her guidance to thrive for years to come.” 

When she transitions into the role of executive director on July 6, Maggie will lead the organization to achieve the strategic plan and vision set forth by the boards of Kappa Delta Sorority and Kappa Delta Foundation. 

“Maggie’s energy, business acumen and change management skills make her an ideal leader and mentor for the headquarters staff and partner to the National Council and Foundation Board,” said Beth Langford, Kappa Delta Foundation Chair and former National President. “Her passion for Kappa Delta shines through, and I am confident Maggie will channel that toward the Foundation’s recently launched capital campaign and beyond. She will be a true advocate for Kappa Delta with our constituents and donors, and we are thrilled to have her onboard.” 

“As a collegian, Kappa Delta helped change the trajectory of my life by providing a strong foundation in leadership development,” said Maggie. “Since then, I have been passionate about developing the next generation of leaders and helping women advance in their careers and lives.”    

In February, outgoing executive director Pamela Nix shared her intent to relocate to prioritize time with her family and look toward her next career opportunity. To ensure continued progress and a smooth transition before her departure, the National Council immediately appointed a search committee to identify the next leader who would build upon the success Pamela inspired. Members of the National Council (Tricia Spence and Susan Stockton), Kappa Delta Foundation Board (Beth Langford and Sue Mickelberg) and National Leadership Team (Julie Wendell) worked with an executive search firm to conduct a nationwide search for the position. They vetted a diverse candidate pool who aligned with Kappa Delta’s priorities, mission and values.  

“I feel honored to take on this role with an organization that has been so meaningful for me and for thousands of women,” Maggie said. “I am committed to leading Kappa Delta into the future with a common goal of building confidence and inspiring action and I am deeply appreciative of the decade of leadership provided by Pamela. After living all over the US and working for global companies, I look forward to relocating to Memphis, because Kappa Delta is home to me.” 

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Kappa Delta Sorority is a national organization for women with more than 277,000 members, 167 active collegiate chapters and 223 active alumnae chapters nationwide. Kappa Delta is active in a number of philanthropic endeavors, including the prevention of child abuse and confidence-building programming with Girl Scouts of the USA. In 2009, the Sorority created the Confidence Coalition, an international movement to promote confidence in women and girls. In 2010, Kappa Delta established International Girls Day to empower girls to reach their potential. It also created International Women’s Friendship Month for women everywhere. Kappa Delta’s national headquarters is in Memphis, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.kappadelta.org. 

CONTACT:
Ashley Brown
901-290-1215
ashley.brown@kappadelta.org