Gigi Secuban, Ed.D., is a General Member. She is the Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. Gigi was recently named to the national board of INSIGHT into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education. “Being named to the Executive Leadership Academy was a truly humbling experience. I not only represented Great Lakes, but I was also the only General Member among the fellows. This unique fellowship gave me, as well as the other 24 fellows, a chance to interact with Madame Supreme, Dr. Glenda Glover, as well as other leadership within the corporate office and directorate members. Besides the networking that happened among sorors, we had an opportunity to hear from other female leaders in corporate America as well as receive a personalized tour of our beautifully renovated corporate office. As part of the academy, I was proud to be selected by Madame Supreme to lead one of the prayers for our Friday breakfast. I highly encourage other Sorors to be part of the next cohort of fellows. It was an absolutely transformational experience in an intimate setting that is unlike any other leadership opportunity.”

Valissa Turner Howard, Esq., is a member of Alpha Omega in Cleveland. She is a licensed attorney and Vice President for Talent and Legal Affairs for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. In her role, Soror Valissa is a key member of the leadership team and oversees human resources, recruitment and development of paid staff and volunteers. She holds certification in diversity, equity and inclusion and leads those efforts in the workplace. Soror Valissa has been recognized for her experience and commitment to serve with several awards, including the 2021 President’s Award from the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association; 2021 Ruth T. Lucas Award from the Junior League of Cleveland and is a 2021 Case Western Reserve University Society of Benchers, the law school’s Hall of Fame, inductee. Soror Valissa was initiated into Alpha Omega. “The Inaugural Alpha Kappa Alpha

Executive Leadership Academy was an intensive one-of-a-kind educational experience that gave me the opportunity to build lasting relationships with highly accomplished Sorors from every region and learn from seasoned business Executives who enthusiastically shared their experiences and best practices for success. Almost a month later I am still contemplating the pearls of wisdom from our esteemed faculty!”