By: Johannah Bay, Kappa Delta Foundation Programs Coordinator

Kappa Delta volunteers are our foundation. They give their time, energy and expertise to keep Kappa Delta moving forward, and our organization would not be the same without them. Every month on the Emerald Edit, we’ll highlight one of our many incredible volunteers to showcase the impact they have on our members. 

Annie Ioannides Deleon (Beta Pi-Florida) has been a dedicated Kappa Delta volunteer for years, and since 2020, she’s played a key role in advancing the work of the Kappa Delta Foundation. For the past five years, she’s served on the scholarship application review committee. Most recently, she joined forces with sisters from across the country to serve as a chapter champion for Beta Pi to celebrate Founders Day of Giving, which ultimately raised over $495,000 for the foundation to invest back into our sisterhood! 

For Annie, her volunteer work with the KD Foundation is seeing the achievements of our collegiate sisters first-hand and building wonderful relationships with other sisters. “When I volunteer, I feel I’m contributing to the greater good of our sorority,” explained Annie. “Through my involvement in the scholarship review committee, I’m helping empower women with the confidence they need to succeed independently, helping women stand on their own two feet. We need more of this in today’s world: women helping women.” 

We recently chatted with Annie about her time as a volunteer and what she would say to anyone looking to get involved! 

What inspired you to volunteer for Kappa Delta? I’ve been volunteering for Kappa Delta since shortly after I graduated from the University of Florida in 1989. When the Miami, Florida, Alumnae Chapter disbanded after Hurricane Andrew pummeled through the city in 1992, I longed for a connection to our sorority. The internet was just becoming mainstream, and I just happened to find Kappa Delta sisters through different portals, like the Prodigy Network, CompuServe and then America Online (AOL). We just started sending emails — because there was no instant messaging yet — and from this, I created my own Kappa Delta email newsletter, which I called “Kappa Delta Online” (original, I know). This was before any sorority had any internet presence; my newsletter was the first weekly email newsletter of any NPC sorority. At its peak, my newsletter had just over 1,500 subscribers from all over the world. I hosted weekly online chats, and we even had in-person meet-ups at two National Conventions. I guess you can say I was the “OG Kappa Delta influencer.” 

What’s the best part of being a Kappa Delta Foundation volunteer? I love connecting with sisters and learning about their achievements. Through my role on the scholarship review committee, I feel that I’m playing a part in building confidence within our sisterhood. 

What advice do you have for other Kappa Deltas who are interested in volunteering? If you’re interested in volunteering for Kappa Delta, my advice is to reach out and get involved. Whether it’s connecting with sisters online, joining your local alumnae chapter or offering to help with events, every bit counts. For me, volunteering isn’t just about giving back. It’s an opportunity to connect with other sisters, build confidence and grow together — personally and professionally — as part of this incredible sisterhood. 

Interested in volunteering with KD?  

There are so many opportunities to share your time and talent. From working with a local collegiate chapter on a chapter advisory board or house corporation board to serving on a foundation committee like the scholarship review committee, we are grateful for the thousands of alumnae who give back to KD. Join us!    

Visit kappadelta.org/volunteer to browse opportunities and learn about next steps.    

Know a sister who should be a featured volunteer?  

Email kdnews@kappadelta.orgcreate new email to share!