Highlights from Kappa Delta’s 66th Biennial National Convention
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June 23, 2025
What a weekend! From heartfelt reunions to bold ideas for the future, Kappa Delta’s 66th Biennial National Convention was full of energy, confidence and sisterhood.
Over 1,000 members gathered at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas, to celebrate what makes Kappa Delta so special and to move forward together With Brave Hearts.
Here’s a look at some of the moments we’ll never forget.
Let’s get down to business!
We opened convention by reflecting on all we’ve accomplished in the past two years with the State of the Sorority video. Watch it here!
Delegates representing our collegiate and alumnae chapters, along with National Leadership Team members, elected the 2025-2027 National Council and voted on amendments to the National Bylaws. The amended bylaws will be available in the member portal soon!
We are excited to announce Kappa Delta’s 2025-2027 National Council.
- National President: Susan Stockton, Delta Gamma-Western Kentucky
- National Vice President: Emily Ulmer Feinstein, Delta Sigma-South Alabama
- National Vice President-Membership: Laura Beth Hanson McKew, Delta Gamma-Western Kentucky
- National Vice President-Collegians: Julie Wendell, Zeta Alpha-Texas Tech
- National Vice President-Alumnae: Jennifer Hitt Brunson, Delta Omega-Mississippi State
- National Vice President-Finance: Elizabeth Metz Fuchs, Zeta Omicron-Wake Forest
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Click here to learn more about these leaders!
We also took time to honor two outgoing council members whose service has made a lasting impact on Kappa Delta.
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Sarah Smith Dubbert, Epsilon Iota-Missouri, retired from her role as national vice president–finance after six years on National Council and decades of involvement across Kappa Delta. Known for her steady leadership and strategic insight, Sarah helped guide KD’s financial health with integrity, clarity and just the right amount of humor. From championing member financial literacy to strengthening housing efforts, her impact will be felt for years to come.
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Rhonda Mullins Giedt, Omega Xi-Cincinnati, retired from her service as national vice president–alumnae. From championing our mentoring program to growing KD’s LinkedIn Network to more than 25,000 members, Rhonda has been a tireless advocate for alumnae engagement. Her focus on tailoring support for alumnae chapters will help them grow and thrive into the future, and her legacy of connection, strategy and sisterhood will continue to inspire.
We are so thankful to Sarah and Rhonda for their dedicated service.
Kappa Delta Foundation
Along with a new National Council, the Kappa Delta Foundation is excited to announce the 2025-2026 Board of Directors:
- Chair: Michelle Parmley Rabideau, Sigma Omicron-Illinois
- Vice-Chair: Kirsten Jakmas Kuykendoll, Gamma Nu-Miami
- Secretary-Treasurer: Cheryl Grant Sizer, Epsilon Eta-Illinois State
Directors:
- Sarah Smith Dubbert, Epsilon Iota-Missouri
- Emily Ulmer Feinstein, Delta Sigma-South Alabama
- Brandi Cappaert Harper, Mu-Millsaps
- Kate McGlynn, Sigma Epsilon, Texas/Austin
- Laura Beth Hanson McKew, Delta Gamma-Western Kentucky
- Anna Green Rich, Kappa Alpha-Florida State
- Susan Stockton, Delta Gamma-Western Kentucky
- Tove Bichel Thomas, Omicron-Illinois Wesleyan
- Jennifer Priebe Wood, Zeta Gamma-Arkansas/Fayetteville
- Sandy Etz Wysocki, Epsilon Iota-Missouri
Click here to learn more!
Thanks for Helping the White Rose Garden Bloom!
Together, we’ve raised $96,246 to support leadership opportunities, scholarships and emergency grants for Kappa Delta sisters. But we’re not stopping here — we’re aiming for $100,000!
Let’s keep the momentum going — will you help us reach $100,000? Thank you for supporting our sisterhood through the White Rose Garden!
Awarding Outstanding Sisters
One of the most inspiring parts of convention is watching our sisters and chapters be recognized for their outstanding work. Collegiate and alumnae chapters were celebrated for their accomplishments in membership, financial responsibility, Panhellenic involvement, community service, marketing efforts and much more. Chapter advisory board and housing volunteers were also commended for their support of chapters.
Topping off the weekend, members of National Council announced the sorority’s highest awards:
- Council Award: Alpha Epsilon-Tennessee/Knoxville
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- Marjorie Rowles Stakes Outstanding Alumnae Chapter: Houston Alumnae Chapter
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- Outstanding Chapter Advisory Board: Gamma Kappa-Louisiana/Lafayette
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- Joan Hovde Haines Outstanding House Corporation: Epsilon Iota-Missouri
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Click here to see if your chapter was recognized!
And perhaps the most exciting of all, for the first time in over a decade, Kappa Delta inducted two extraordinary women into the Hall of Honor — one of our sorority’s most prestigious recognitions. Reserved for those who have made an enduring impact on Kappa Delta at the national level, this award celebrates a lifetime of service, leadership and sisterhood.
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This convention, we welcomed Julie Landgren Johnson, Sigma Psi-North Dakota State and Beth Martin Langford, Kappa Alpha-Florida State into this distinguished group. Their contributions have helped shape the future of our organization, and they now join just 25 other women in this extraordinary circle of KD leaders.
Recognizing Outstanding Sisters
National Council announced the biennial awards recognizing exceptional alumnae. Eleven alumnae received the Order of the Emerald, which recognizes Kappa Delta alumnae who have displayed extraordinary service to an alumnae chapter, chapter advisory board, house corporation, Panhellenic and/or state or national Kappa Delta.
Eight alumnae received the Order of the Pearl, which recognizes outstanding contributions at the national, state or local level in areas other than service to Kappa Delta. Read more about the winners here.
Kappa Delta also announced the 10 winners of our newest alumnae award, the Elite Professionals Under 40 Award! This honored alumnae who have achieved extraordinary success in their field while exemplifying the values of confidence, leadership and service that Kappa Delta instills.
Read more about the winners here.
The Kappa Delta Foundation awarded Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Awards to 21 exemplary Kappa Delta women. Named for former National President Corre Anding Stegall, the Corre Anding Stegall Collegiate Leadership Awards are presented each year to Kappa Delta’s top student leaders. This award is the highest individual honor an undergraduate Kappa Delta member can earn. In recognition of her achievements, each award recipient also receives a $5,000 leadership scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Learn more these impressive sisters here.
Inspiring Confidence with Brave Hearts
From keynote speakers to breakout sessions, convention was filled with powerful confidence-building programming on leadership, resilience and living with purpose. Some of our featured speakers included:
Jess Ekstrom
In her high-energy keynote, “Making It Without Losing It,” Jess Ekstrom reminded us that motivation doesn’t have to come from hustle — it can come from joy. With humor and heart, she shared how tapping into intrinsic motivation can spark innovation, resilience and meaning in our personal and professional lives. In her breakout session, “Finding and Using Your Motivation Style,” Jess helped us uncover what fuels us most. Whether you’re starting your career or pivoting to a new chapter, she offered simple tools to lead with purpose and a brave heart.
Dr. Miriam Kirmayer
In her keynote, “Bridge the Connection Divide,” explored the science behind friendships and their powerful impact on well-being. She challenged us to rethink the role of relationships in our lives and to see connection not just as comfort, but as a key to resilience and fulfillment. Her breakout, “Elevate Connected Support and Mentorship,” dove deeper into how we give and receive support. Attendees discovered their supporter style and learned how to transform surface-level check-ins into meaningful mentorship that lasts beyond convention weekend.
Lindsay Boccardo
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With two back-to-back breakout sessions, Lindsay Boccardo showed us how to own our career journey with confidence. In “Building Confident Career Connections,” she spoke to alumnae about using their KD story to mentor others, build meaningful relationships and leave a leadership legacy. In her session for collegians, “Circle of Influence,” Lindsay coached attendees through the art of growing a network, identifying mentors and stepping into professional spaces with courage and clarity.
This convention also included the addition of training academies with specialized tracks designed to equip non-delegate attendees with practical tools, fresh ideas and the confidence to lead With Brave Hearts.
Recruitment & Marketing Academy
Recruitment-focused collegians and advisors dove into everything from project management fundamentals to having more confident recruitment conversations to crafting standout marketing strategies. Attendees left with fresh inspiration to lead recruitment with heart, strategy and authenticity.
Housing Academy
Local housing volunteers explored how to create inviting, high-impact living spaces while also navigating the legal, operational and fundraising and opportunities challenges that come with facility management. This academy was packed with ways to strengthen housing operations, and sisterhood, at the chapter level.
These incredible speakers, sessions and trainings would not have been possible without support and funding from the Kappa Delta Foundation.
In Memoriam
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Each biennium, the Kappa Delta Memorial Service is conducted to honor the memory of our Kappa Delta sisters. You can view our In Memoriam list in the Resource Library here.
Who’s ready for the next National Convention?
Mark your calendars to join us for Kappa Delta’s 67th Biennial National Convention! We will be heading to the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida, July 9-12, 2027.
We can’t wait to see you in sunny Florida!