2021-2023 Executive Board Candidates

2021-2023
EXECUTIVE BOARD

CANDIDATES

DEAR COUNCIL DELEGATES,

Electing members to serve on our Executive Board is one of the most vital
duties you have as a council delegate. We encourage your enthusiastic
participation in the election process, and we are confident that sisters will
be guided by the values expressed in our Ritual.
The Nominating Trustees is honored to announce the ballot of candidates
for Executive Board positions:

International President

• Crystal Grafton Combs, Nu Beta

Vice President - Finance

• Lacey Bowman, Chi Delta
• Sarah Gondek, Iota

Vice President

• Susan Bonifield, Nu Beta
• Ashley Dumat, Rho Omicron
• Jaynellen Behre Jenkins, Phi Beta
• Koren Phillips, Phi Chi
• Chantel Schieffer, Alpha Phi
• Carey Unger, Nu Omicron
The Executive Board election will be held in the order of President, Vice
President of Finance, and Vice President (six to be elected). In accor-
dance with our Rules Governing Convention, the ballot has been finalized
prior to Convention and there will be no changes to the ballot or nomina-
tions from the floor.
We appreciate all you have done to engage in the election process. We
look forward to our shared time together very soon!

Fraternally,

The 2020-2022 Nominating Trustees

Dr. Shokooh Miry (Sigma), Chair of the Nominating Trustees
Susan Danko (Phi Upsilon), Past International President
Gayle Fitzpatrick (Alpha Rho), Current/Former Executive Board Member
Linda Grandolfo (Nu Iota), Lake County, IL Alumnae Chapter President
Christine Pompa (Lambda Eta), Member-at-Large
Rhiannon O'Coin (Gamma Alpha), Rho Beta (Virginia Commonwealth U) Chapter Advisor

Updated June 3, 2021

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Click on the candidate's name to jump to her information.

CANDIDATE FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT:
Crystal Grafton Combs, Nu Beta

CANDIDATES FOR INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT
OF FINANCE:

Lacey Bowman, Chi Delta
Sarah Gondek, Iota
CANDIDATES FOR INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:
Susan Bonifield, Nu Beta
Ashley Dumat, Rho Omicron
Jaynellen Behre Jenkins, Phi Beta
Koren Phillips, Phi Chi
Chantel Schieffer, Alpha Phi
Carey Unger, Nu Omicron

All candidate resumes can be found in the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT:

Crystal Grafton Combs

Chapter of Initiation: Nu Beta (U of Mississippi)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

I have had the privilege of serving as AOII’s International Pres- Click on each question below
ident since my installation at Convention 2019 in Orlando. to hear Crystal’s responses.
I could not have imagined, in that moment, what our future
would hold. Since that time, I have often leaned on our Ritual What do you think is the
and the wisdom of our founders, who so beautifully captured a greatest challenge facing
spirit of love and friendship that guided them through equally sorority life today? How
challenging times, from World Wars to the 1918 flu pandemic. would you address it?
One of my favorite quotes is from founder Stella George Stern
Perry who shared, “If we did not foresee the future, neither did How will our values and
we fear it.” As I think back over these many months, I can hon- Ritual influence your lead-
estly say that I did not foresee the future that awaited us. I am ership?
so proud of our members, volunteers, and professional staff
team who partnered together in a powerful way as we worked What is your vision for
to sustain our sisterhood, creating a virtual membership experi- Alpha Omicron Pi this
ence for both collegians and alumnae. biennium?
Our Fraternity developed a virtual recruitment model and
deployed recruitment coaches to support our chapters, creat-
ed educational modules, and hosted Town Halls to guide our
collegiate and alumnae chapter officers through a redefined
sisterhood experience. I was honored to be a part of twelve
virtual initiations as we welcomed nearly 800 newly initiated
members into our sisterhood. I was equally excited to be part
of our first ever virtual Leadership Institute, as we celebrated
the accomplishments of our members and chapters, hosted
guest speakers, and participated in learning tracks.
In the midst of these changes, we have also partnered to
create new opportunities for education, leadership, and de-
velopment in our Fraternity. We implemented a new volunteer
structure to better support our chapters and members; estab-
lished a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Education Work Group
that will further inform future policy; hosted a successful series
of Mentor Power Hours designed to connect our collegiate and
alumnae members; and employed positive changes for our col-
legiate chapters, including changes to our IMSP and election
processes.
Despite all that we have accomplished, I believe that our work
is not yet done. This is only the beginning. Just as Stella shared
in 1936, I may not be able to foresee the future, but neither do
I fear it. As we look toward that future in AOII, I am humbled for
the opportunity to continue to lead and serve in this particular
role and at this time in our history.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE:

Lacey Bowman

Chapter of Initiation: Chi Delta (U of Colorado)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

Updated June 3, 2021

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

Over the past fifteen months, our Fraternity has been chal- Click on each question below
lenged in many different ways. Through these challenging to hear Lacey's responses.
times, we have persevered and found paths to be innovative,
collaborative, and creative. We have pivoted to embrace ways What financial challenge
to connect virtually and redefine what a member experience do you see facing Alpha
looks like. We have maintained our core values of AOII, while Omicron Pi and what are
being relevant in the changing lives of our members. your thoughts about how
From my collegiate days to my most recent volunteer experi- we should prepare?
ence, AOII has given me the opportunity to develop leadership
and communication skills, allowed me to work with and learn Diversity, inclusion, and
from women who may have different perspectives or back- equity are important for
grounds, and work toward being the best version of myself. our organization. How do
Our members’ AOII experience can be dynamic – meeting the you differentiate between
interests and needs of the individuals. Serving on the Exec- these themes and how
utive Board, I hope to lead an organization that can provide do you see them from a
many diverse experiences but the same core Ends – Ambition, leadership perspective?
Sense of Belonging Leadership, Character, and Service.
While Executive Board service is defined in biennial terms, What is your vision for
the work that is done is both addressing current needs and Alpha Omicron Pi this
developing a path that will lead the Fraternity into the future. biennium?
It is not lost on me that decisions made today not only affect
the present, but also pave the path for the future. I’ve had the
honor of serving on the Properties Board for the past six years,
and I feel that my work in that role is still ongoing. As VPF, I
look forward to continuing my work with AOII Properties while
leveraging skills learned in that role to the Fraternity, such as
maintaining a strong financial future for the entire organization.
As we enter another pivotal time for our Fraternity, I continue
to be inspired by the work of our members and volunteers. The
opportunity to serve on the Executive Board would be a great
honor, which comes along with great responsibility, and I am
excited for the chance to lead an organization that has played
such a pivotal role in my life.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE:

Sarah Gondek

Chapter of Initiation: Iota (U of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

Updated June 3, 2021

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

I signed up for Recruitment in 1995 to make connections on the Click on each question below
gigantic campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Cham- to hear Sarah's responses.
paign. I thought I would meet some new friends during the pro-
cess, and hoped to have the opportunity to move into one of What financial challenge
the beautiful homes that outlined the Quad and decorated my do you see facing Alpha
walk from the dorm to classes. At 18 years old, I never could Omicron Pi and what are
have foreseen the friendships, the laughter, the tears, and the your thoughts about how
opportunities that our beloved Alpha Omicron Pi has given to we should prepare?
me. It is because of those gifts from AOII, that I give back to our
fraternity and to our members. Diversity, inclusion, and
I believe that we are at a pivotal time in AOII history. As we equity are important for
emerge from a global pandemic, we have learned many things our organization. How do
about ourselves, our sisterhood, our bonds, and our abilities. you differentiate between
We connect virtually in ways that we never have before. And these themes and how
though we have missed our in-person traditions, conferences, do you see them from a
chapter visits and sisterhood events, this new virtual world al- leadership perspective?
lows us to conduct business, celebrate milestones and support
one another face to face, without the stress and expense of What is your vision for
travel, right from our homes and offices. These are opportuni- Alpha Omicron Pi this
ties I hope we will carry with us, as we embark upon our return biennium?
to normal.
I also see us entering an exciting time for women, as we con-
tinue to make our way in the world, with so many more of us
taking leadership roles, amassing financial means as women
never have before, and truly shaping our own futures. With this
increased visibility of women in the world has come increased
responsibility of the fraternity to our members. Our collegiate
members are asking questions about our traditions, our pro-
cesses and our finances; they are engaging differently than I
have ever seen. I am proud that our Fraternity is rising to the
occasion! The training, information, communication and con-
nection to our members has been both exciting and effective!
As a member of the Executive Board, I intend to embrace the
work that has been done by our Fraternity leadership and
professional staff, and to contribute to furthering that work, to
the best of my abilities. In particular, I believe that our member-
ship’s understanding of the Fraternity’s finances is very import-
ant, and that we should continue to provide information and
education to members who wish to understand it.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Susan Bonifield

Chapter of Initiation: Nu Beta (U of Mississippi)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

I am often asked why I have continued to serve the Fraternity Click on each question below
long after college graduation and my answer has always been, to hear Susan’s responses.
very simply, “I do it now because someone did it for me”. Our
sisterhood is a living, breathing thing that is shaped by all of Sisterhood is for a life-
us, and one of the greatest benefits I have received from our time. What are your ideas
sisterhood is learning from those who have gone before me. for ways to ensure alum-
My life has been forever changed for the better by the many nae members remain
wonderful sisters with whom I have had the pleasure to serve engaged?
and by the experiences that have given me confidence, taught
me patience and developed my skills as a leader. I believe that Diversity, inclusion, and
serving on the Executive Board has been both a natural pro- equity are important for
gression of my service to the Fraternity and a new opportunity our organization. How do
for me to grow and learn while using my skills to further the you differentiate between
interests of our sisterhood. I believe that varied perspectives these themes and how
are valuable and I look forward to the continued opportunity do you see them from a
to collaborate with a group of women whose dedication to our leadership perspective?
sisterhood matches mine. Even before I heard our ritual for the
first time, my collegiate sisters taught me that it was an honor What is your vision for
to serve the Fraternity. Over the years, I have found that lesson Alpha Omicron Pi this
to be absolutely true. It has been one of the greatest honors biennium?
of my life to serve the Fraternity in this capacity and I am confi-
dent that I could represent the interests of our sisterhood in a
way that is worthy of that honor.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Ashley Dumat

Chapter of Initiation: Rho Omicron (Middle Tennessee State U)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

Being elected to the Executive Board at AOII’s 2019 Interna- Click on each question below
tional Convention was one of the greatest honors of my life. to hear Ashley’s responses.
I could not wait to begin serving and leading with my fellow
sisters on the Executive Board, and I was excited about the Sisterhood is for a life-
possibilities for AOII during the coming biennium. No one knew time. What are your ideas
at the time that this biennium would challenge our society and for ways to ensure alum-
our Fraternity in unique ways, requiring unique conversations nae members remain
and solutions. However, I have been incredibly inspired by the engaged?
responses of our Fraternity, our chapters, and our individual
members in the face of these challenges. Diversity, inclusion, and
I believe in the amazing work we are doing at all levels of our equity are important for
Fraternity. I am so proud of the changes we have made to our organization. How do
make membership in AOII more accessible to women through- you differentiate between
out the United States and Canada, including removing the pref- these themes and how
erential treatment given to legacies during recruitment. I am do you see them from a
thrilled about the creation of AOII’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclu- leadership perspective?
sion Education work group, because there is so much for our
organization and our individual members to learn and improve What is your vision for
upon in this area. Alpha Omicron Pi this
My AOII volunteer history includes serving in several AAC biennium?
roles, as well as serving as a Network Specialist and Network
Director. In order to be effective in any of these roles, it is
important to function well within the framework of a team. I
know that the best results occur when all members of a team
communicate openly with each other, when everyone has
an opportunity to be heard, and when thoughtful discussion
occurs afterward. I truly believe in the “team” concept, and my
personal experience has been that a team whose members
respect one another and communicate openly with each other
can accomplish wonderful things. I believe my AOII experience
has equipped me to serve effectively on the Executive Board
team as well.
Finally, and most importantly, I continue to be interested and
enthusiastic about serving on the Executive Board because I
believe in the sorority experience, and the AOII experience in
particular. I have had exceptional membership experiences at
both the collegiate and alumna levels, and by serving on the
Executive Board, I would be honored to do my part in helping
to shape amazing membership experiences for our AOII
members.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Jaynellen Behre Jenkins

Chapter of Initiation: Phi Beta (East Stroudsburg U)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

Serving on the 19-21 AOII Executive Board has been an honor Click on each question below
and a privilege. The totality of my volunteer and professional to hear Jaynellen’s responses.
experiences prepared me for this role and I am eager to con-
tribute to the Fraternity in this capacity. My motivation to seek a Sisterhood is for a life-
second term includes the following: time. What are your ideas
for ways to ensure alum-
• Our XB work during 19-21, included the transition to Carv- nae members remain
er’s Policy Governance Model. My role on the Governance engaged?
Board Development Committee allowed me to assist with
education and training and board self-evaluation analysis. Diversity, inclusion, and
I am keenly aware of our board development goals and equity are important for
poised to assist in this ongoing growth. our organization. How do
you differentiate between
• Strategic and visionary leadership are necessary for board these themes and how
leadership. As Membership Connection Committee Chair, do you see them from a
I have listened to membership input across stakeholder leadership perspective?
groups. It is vital that we hear the voices of our members
and include them in our decision making. We are navigat- What is your vision for
ing uncharted waters in the midst of a global pandemic. Alpha Omicron Pi this
We must be responsive to the needs of our members yet biennium?
remain future-focused and innovative. I am eager to contin-
ue this work.

• AOII is poised to be bold and courageous. The work of
our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Education task force
inspires our examination of what is working, and where
we can all do better. AOII must be a supportive and under-
standing space that supports and includes all sisters. In
addition, I am motivated to create a vision that includes an
expansion of AOII created resources for our alumnae and
collegians that supports their growth as women and pro-
fessionals. Building AOII’s relevance across our lifespan will
continue to engage and re-engage our members. Contrib-
uting to this visionary work is important to me.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Koren Phillips

Chapter of Initiation: Phi Chi (U of Chicago)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

There is no greater honor and privilege than serving Alpha Click on each question below
Omicron Pi. I was barely 18 years old and three weeks into my to hear Koren’s responses.
time at the University of Chicago when I chose AOII – and AOII
chose me. Looking back on my 17 years as a member of this or- Sisterhood is for a life-
ganization, I have sincerely taken to heart the promise to serve. time. What are your ideas
As we bring feelings of fraternity and love into the world, there for ways to ensure alum-
is no more positive reflection on our organization than service. nae members remain
I would be honored to serve another term as a member of the engaged?
Executive Board.
I take very seriously my opportunity to bring the perspective Diversity, inclusion, and
and viewpoint of a new generation of AOII sisters to the fore- equity are important for
front. As someone who both initiated and graduated in the our organization. How do
2000s, I bring the perspective of our younger AOIIs to the you differentiate between
table. This is not a responsibility and role that I take lightly. One these themes and how
of the most inspiring things about our sisterhood is its diver- do you see them from a
sity of opinions and perspectives. I am a sincere believer in a leadership perspective?
multigenerational viewpoint – we must respect the past with a
dynamic eye on the future to best advance our Fraternity. What is your vision for
The experience of 2020 has also led me to more carefully Alpha Omicron Pi this
consider our moral imperative to serve as a voice and advo- biennium?
cate for those who are less privileged in our society and to
create an environment that respects and values individual
differences of varying dimensions. Our AOII members come to
us with diverse perspectives and backgrounds that need to be
respected, honored, and addressed. I am committed to using
continued service on the Executive Board to provide a platform
and opportunity for broader education, understanding, and
harnessing of both power and access for sisters from all walks
of life and backgrounds.
I want to continue to give back to the organization that has
given so much to me – meaningful lifelong friendships, dynam-
ic leadership skills and training, an environment where it is safe
to succeed and safe to fail, the opportunity to make a differ-
ence in the lives of thousands of fellow sisters.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Chantel Schieffer

Chapter of Initiation: Alpha Phi (Montana State U)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

When asked to pronounce my last name, I typically reply with Click on each question below
“It’s SHE-fer. Like a sheaf of wheat.” As you might guess, sisters to hear Chantel’s responses.
in AOII understand right away, but most others don’t recognize
the meaningful underlying message.
For me, the sheaf beau- Sisterhood is for a life-
tifully defines the true meaning of our Fraternity. We are many time. What are your ideas
unique stems gathered and bonded together. When we are for ways to ensure alum-
together, we can bend but we cannot break. Together, we hold nae members remain
each other up. A strong sheaf includes all of us regardless of engaged?
differences in race, ethnicity, religion, orientation, ability, socio-
economic status, or education. Together, we are always better. Diversity, inclusion, and
I am grateful our Fraternity includes a symbol that continuously equity are important for
reminds us of the power of togetherness.
Our Fraternity was our organization. How do
founded because Stella was rejected from others as a Jewish you differentiate between
woman. This fact drew me to AOII just over twenty-five years these themes and how
ago. As I see it, we were founded with the seeds of justice, do you see them from a
inclusion, and opportunities abound of us to lead in Stella’s leadership perspective?
vision.

Her words regarding the New Member sheaf pin speak
to me loudly, especially in our current reality. “In the pledging it What is your vision for
expresses our gathering and gleaning of seedlings — a harvest Alpha Omicron Pi this
of young accomplishment and especially of young hopes, and biennium?
our responsibility for their cultivation, stability and worth.”
North
American society faces many crossroads. A global pandemic,
economic uncertainty, racial reckoning, and deepening divides
provide countless reasons for us all to care deeply about the
future. Now more than ever, we need each other. We need to
come together in the comfort and safety of the sheaf.

It is that
togetherness that sparked my love for AOII through experienc-
es as both a collegiate and alumnae member. I found a home
in AOII when I didn’t know I was looking. This is why I am called
to serve at the highest level of AOII.
The Executive Board is a
crucial part of the band that holds sheaf together, ensuring that
no single piece of wheat is left outside, that we are all includ-
ed and secure in togetherness. Our current collective reality
does not make this work by any means easy, but I passionate-
ly believe that anything worth doing is going to be difficult. I
am ready, and uniquely qualified, for the hard work of leading
through challenge. I am ready, with your help, to seek the op-
portunities to create a better Fraternity for all of us.

CANDIDATE FOR
INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT:

Carey Unger

Chapter of Initiation: Nu Omicron (Vanderbilt U)

To review this candidate's resume please reference the Call to Convention through Fulfilling the Promise.
(AlphaLink > Fulfilling the Promise > AOFiles > Scroll down to the Council section > 2021 Call to Convention)

PERSONAL STATEMENT: DIVING DEEPER:

My desire to serve on the Executive Board is driven by one Click on each question below
simple fact, a fact that I know has been touted over and over to hear Carey’s responses.
again by various individuals throughout our organization. This
is a testament to how AOII has the power to change lives and Sisterhood is for a life-
trajectories; it has for me. Simply put, I am who I am today time. What are your ideas
because of my cumulative experiences in AOII and I desire to for ways to ensure alum-
serve on the Board of an organization that has given me so nae members remain
much. engaged?
Who am I? I am a loving daughter, sister (through blood and
sisterhood) and friend. I learned to care, listen, support and Diversity, inclusion, and
encourage through my years in AOII. I am a successful pro- equity are important for
fessional who can drive change and outcomes at work while our organization. How do
supporting and coaching future leaders. I learned leadership you differentiate between
and confidence and that I deserve a seat at the table through these themes and how
my years in AOII. I am a proud AOII. do you see them from a
All our members need the power of AOII now more than ever. leadership perspective?
2020 was a remarkable year for the Fraternity, our members,
and the country. On the one hand, we have all leaned in to What is your vision for
the sisterhood, the connections and the commitments that Alpha Omicron Pi this
we have made to something greater than ourselves as a way biennium?
to stabilize the chaos and find refuge in the uncertainty. At
the same time, the year has been one of remarkable change
across our country. I can’t help but think that the Pandemic has
made the world smaller and more vulnerable, forcing everyone
to be reflective of what matters, what their values are, and the
difference they want to make.
And so we stand as a Fraternity at a juncture, proud of who we
are, our history, our values, and our rituals, but also knowing
that we need to continue to evolve and push ourselves to be
better. As our members continue to change and evolve individ-
ually, we need to strike a harmonious balance between what
we all love from our past with goals and strategies to stay rele-
vant in the future. The Executive Board has the unique oppor-
tunity to continue to lead the membership of this organization
in defining who we are and who we want to be. I want to be a
part of guiding an organization that has the power to impact
each member and the world around us.

ALPHA OMICRON PI FRATERNITY

www.alphaomicronpi.org