Imagine sitting in a room filled with Kappa Deltas from across the country, united by our values and traditions. Now, picture yourself hearing from inspiring speakers and growing personally and professionally. Whether you’re looking to build your confidence in your career or volunteer role, strengthen your leadership skills, or gain new insights to support your chapter and community, you will walk away feeling more confident than ever in yourself and your Kappa Delta experience. You don’t want to miss this lineup of speakers! 

Lauren Solomon, National Sales Director, Stanley 1913 

Does Lauren’s name sound familiar? You might remember her from the Fall 2024 issue of The Angelos! From helping to launch the Stanley Quencher craze to her company earning a spot on TIME’s Most Influential Companies list, this Epsilon Epsilon-Appalachian State alumna knows the power of believing in your vision. 

At the Opening Session & Dinner on Friday, June 20, Lauren will share, Being the Leader of Your Life, and attendees will hear how her brave heart helps Lauren lead with confidence, strategy and community. 

On Sunday at convention, Kappa Delta is bringing confidence center stage with a day of empowering programming—made possible through the support of the Kappa Delta Foundation and our generous donors. 

Jess Ekstrom, Entrepreneur and Author 

KDs loved hearing from Jess during our virtual Confident Conversations series, and she’s back to drop even more knowledge at convention! A self-described breakfast burrito connoisseur and headband hero, Jess Ekstrom is on a mission to help women create motivation that lasts. In her general session Making It Without Losing It: The New Roles for Innovation and Motivation, Jess shares how tapping into intrinsic motivation leads to more creativity, resilience and joy. Get ready for a high-energy session full of storytelling, science and simple mindset shifts! 

Attendees will discover what fuels them during Jess’s breakout session Finding and Using Your Motivation Style. With a brave heart, you can spark your own momentum. Jess Ekstrom will help attendees discover how to use their inner spark to lead with purpose, creativity and courage. They’ll walk away with confidence in their motivation style and simple strategies to keep going, even when things get tough. 

Dr. Miriam Kirmayer, Clinical Psychologist and Friendship Researcher 

One of the most influential speakers on human connection and social support, Dr. Miriam Kirmayer is revolutionizing the way we show up for, mentor and connect with each other. In her general session, Bridge the Connection Divide: Relationships are the Road to Well-Being she blends science and personal insight to show how meaningful connection can combat loneliness, reduce stress and build a life of lasting fulfillment – one relationship at a time. 

Then, in her breakout session Elevate Connected Support and Mentorship: From Transactional to Transformational attendees will explore how to move from surface-level advice to meaningful mentorship. They’ll learn more about their supporter style – or how you give and receive support, explore practical tools for giving and receiving guidance and walk away ready to foster stronger relationships! 

Lindsay Boccardo, Career Coach and Gen Z & Millennial Expert 

One of the most dynamic, hilarious and celebrated career coaches, Gen Z and Millennial Expert Lindsay Boccardo is back and ready to help KDs take their confidence from campus to career! Drawing on her degree in psychology and over a decade of experience training high-performing organizations, Lindsay helps leaders bridge generational gaps, foster connection and thrive—without sacrificing their well-being. And we’re so lucky because she is bringing two powerful breakout sessions to convention! 

In Building Confident Career Connections: Extend Your Legacy as an Alumna, alumnae sisters will learn how to use their KD story to strengthen and empower the next generation, mentor with confidence, build lasting connections and extend their legacy of leadership.  

Then, collegians are encouraged to dive in during Circle of Influence: Expanding Your Professional Horizons, a hands-on workshop focused on growing your network, engaging mentors and creating the kind of relationships that move you – and your future – forward. 

Training Academies 

Kappa Delta is excited to offer two dynamic training academies for non-delegate attendees: the Recruitment & Marketing Academy and the Housing Academy.  

Designed to empower recruitment & marketing officers and local housing volunteers, these programs are a special opportunity to take a deep dive to enhance key areas of the KD experience. 

From elevating recruitment to marketing the Kappa Delta experience to making our chapter house a home, every attendee will take new information and knowledge back to their chapters and communities.