National Council

The highest governing body for the sorority is the national convention which convenes every two years to elect officers and consider changes to the national bylaws. In the interim, the sorority is lead by its elected officials, the national council. This body consists of seven members who are responsible for the vision, direction, fiscal security and general oversight of the sorority. The national council also appoints national officers.

Cindy Kelley, ΒΠ
President

Cindy joined the Beta Pi Chapter, Concord University, Athens, WV, and served her chapter as president, membership director, and homecoming, intramurals and sisterhood chairman. She was honored by her chapter with the Outstanding New Member Award, the Elizabeth Bird Small Award and the Aspire, Seek, Attain Award.

While at Concord, Cindy served in leadership roles in honorary societies and campus organizations and was captain of the intercollegiate softball team, receiving all-conference honors. She graduated in 1993 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and a minor in travel industry management.

Cindy served the national organization as convention delegate 1992-2008, chapter consultant 1993-94, province director 1994-98, colony development director 1996-98, extension committee 1996-99, chairman of colonies 1998 to 2002, national vice president of collegians 2002-04, national vice president of membership 2004-06 and national vice president of operations 2006-08. She served as a facilitator at several leadership development institutes, presented workshops at conventions and District Days, participated in extension presentations and served on 14 installation teams. Cindy is also a member of the Triangle (NC) Alumnae Panhellenic Association.

Professionally, Cindy is the program executive for Girl Scout Council-Coastal Pines in Raleigh, NC. She resides in Raleigh, NC, with her husband Mike and spoiled dog Kraemer.

Melissa Koch Merriam, ΕΕ
Vice President of Operations

Melissa is a graduate of Emporia State University, Emporia, KS, holding a bachelor’s degree in business management. She served her chapter as standards board member, risk management chairman, vice president of programming & ritual and president.

She has served the Greater Kansas City Alumnae Chapter as president, Panhellenic delegate and webmaster. As Kansas City Panhellenic delegate, she served as grants and loans chairman and program chairman.

Melissa has served the national organization as a leadership consultant 2000-01, Zeta Mu membership advisor 2001-03, District 9 recruitment coaching team leader 2002-03, District 9 facilitator 2003-05, volunteer recruitment and placement team leader 2005-07 and vice president of membership 2007-10. Melissa was awarded with the Agape Award at the 2006 national convention.

Professionally, Melissa works as a development coordinator for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Resources, Inc. She lives in Overland Park, KS, with her husband Andy and son Luke.

Kim Benson, ΔΝ
Vice President of Finance

Kim Benson, ΔΝ, is a 1991 graduate of GMI Engineering & Management Institute (now known as Kettering University), Flint, MI, holding a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. She currently works for UPS as a Plant Engineering Area Manager and lives in Greensburg, PA.

She served her collegiate chapter as membership director, chapter treasurer, Greek assembly/Panhellenic representative and house steward. As an alumna, she has been a member in the NY Metro, Greater Dallas, and currently the Laurel Highlands Alumnae Chapter. She has held various positions in these alumnae chapters, including NY Metro charter member, chapter president, secretary, editor, philanthropic chairman and convention delegate.

A national volunteer since 1994, Kim was a province director 1994 to 2000, District 7 finance coaching team leader from 2002-03, District 7 facilitator from 2003-04, District 3 finance coaching team leader from 2004-06, vice president of membership 2006-07 and vice president of finance since 2007. She has been a convention delegate from 1996 to 2004 and a presenter at several District Days and LDI.

Christine Strapac Thomas, ΑΓ
Vice President of Communications

Christine Strapac Thomas is a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, holding a bachelor’s degree in home economics education. She received her master’s degree in textiles and consumer economics with a minor in marketing from the University of Maryland.

Christine served her chapter as social chairman and recruitment event chairman. She was honored by her chapter with the Frost Fidelity Award. As a member of the Washington DC Alumnae Chapter, Christine has held the positions of secretary, treasurer and editor.

Christine has volunteered for the national organization since 1990 as Epsilon Tau Chapter advisor 1990-98, nominating committee, programming committee, leadership development institute facilitator 1999 and 2005, province director 1998 to 2002, Epsilon Tau financial advisor 2002-04, District 2 finance team member 2002-04, District 2 facilitator 2002-04 and vice president of membership 2004-08. She has also participated in extension presentations and has been a convention delegate since 1994.

Julie Wiley Levine, A
Vice President of Membership

Julie Wiley Levine graduated from Longwood University in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. She received a master's of education in school administration, higher education from Old Dominion University and an educational specialist degree from George Washington University in educational leadership and administration in 2006. Currently, Julie has completed the coursework towards a doctorate in educational administration and policy studis at, also at George Washington University.

Julie served Alpha Chapter as president and treasurer. She was the recipient of Longwood's 1993 Greek woman of the year award and the most outstanding student leader for the senior class of 1993.

Julie served the national organization as convention delegate, 1992-08, leadership consultant, 1993-94, Epsilon Eta Chapter advisor, 1994-07, formal rush coaching team leader, 2002-06 and District 4 facilitator, 2006-10. She has served as a facilitator for numerous leadership development institutes and presented workshops at conventions and District Day events. In January Julie was appointed to fill a vacancy on the national council for the remainder of the 2006-08 biennium as vice president of membership.

Professionally, Julie works at Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach, VA, where she teaches middle school mathematics and coaches the varsity cheerleading squad.

Kelly McGinnis Morello, ΕΚ
Vice President of Membership

Kelly McGinnis Morello, served her collegiate chapter at Millersville University, PA, as song/sunshine chairman, treasurer, 10-year anniversary chairman and standards chairman. On campus, she served as vice president of Order of Omega and corresponding secretary of student senate. She graduated in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Upon graduation, she traveled extensively as a leadership consultant for the national sorority.

As a founding member of the Greater Valley Forge Alumnae Chapter, Kelly has served as president, ritual chairman, treasurer and currently serves as alumnae chapter city Panhellenic delegate.

A national volunteer since 1999, she was Epsilon Kappa membership advisor in 1999, Epsilon Kappa chapter advisor from 1999-2004, province director from 2000-2002, District 2 Advantage coaching team leader from 2002-2004, District 2 district facilitator from 2004-2007 and volunteer recruitment and placement team leader from 2007-2008. She has also participated in extension presentations, served as a delegate at four national conventions, facilitated several leadership development institutes and has been a presenter at numerous District Days. Kelly was honored with the Agape Award at the 2006 national convention.

Kelly graduated magna cum laude from Villanova University in 2005 with a master’s degree in human resource development and has earned her Professional in Human Resources certification.

Nora Ten Broeck, ΒΚ
Vice President of Membership

Nora M. Ten Broeck joined Alpha Sigma Alpha at Western Illinois University. She served her collegiate chapter as fundraising co-chairman, house manager and president.

She was involved in campus activities such as University Union Board, campus Panhellenic Council and several honorary societies.

Graduating cum laude, Nora holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications with minors in journalism and Spanish. Following graduation she traveled extensively as a leadership consultant for the national sorority. In 1994 Nora returned to WIU to earn a master’s degree in college student personnel.  She also completed a master of business administration in 2005.

For the past consecutive 16 years Nora has volunteered for the sorority serving as a chapter advisor, housing corporation board member, Emma Coleman Frost Leadership Development Institute facilitator, Phoenix staff member, national chairman and national council member. She authored The Tie That Binds: A Celebration of Alpha Sigma Alpha and served as assistant editor for The Years Behind Us: A History of Alpha Sigma Alpha.

Professionally, Nora serves as business analyst for a privately held technology firm. Nora is a member of the Windy City Alumnae Chapter.