Many words describe California Eta Michelle Drouse – successful, intelligent, creative – but the one word that fits best stems from her collegiate days in Pi Phi: leader.

 

“Joining Pi Phi was the best decision I’ve ever made – hands down,” Michelle said. “My current leadership style is based on Pi Phi’s servant leadership principles to support, volunteer, listen, guide and mentor in a team environment.” (to read more, click here)

 

Thanks to the Foundation’s funding of leadership development programs for collegians, Michelle learned important skills that attributed to her successful post-college career. Formerly, she was Executive Assistant to the City of Irvine Mayor Pro Tempore and an award-winning city planner for Irvine, California. Michelle now resides in London, where she is developing her own consulting company, SKA Consulting.

 

Whether she was working on a redevelopment project for the city of Irvine or is revitalizing the London Pocket of Pi Beta Phi, Michelle remains grateful for the leadership training she received. “People don’t often realize joining a fraternity or sorority presents an opportunity to learn how to manage and operate a non-profit in extremely unique context. Not only did I learn how to manage elements such as operations, membership recruitment and development, administration, finance and event planning, I was challenged to do it in a family context living under the same roof.”

 

Michelle is a P3 because she knows her gifts to the Foundation are helping future Pi Phis find success. She said, “I’m passionate about developing the next generation of women leaders, and I recognize the Foundation can facilitate empowering Pi Phi collegians and alumnae through monetary support of programs.”

 

Through her support of the Foundation, Michelle is empowering her sisters to become leaders, both in college and after.