Chicago, Ill., June 3, 2016 – Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. has officially elected five new members to the National Board of Directors (NBOD) at this past National Founders’ Conference in April and have begun their term June 1st. These five new members will serve as the National President, Financial Director, Membership Intake Director, Expansion Director, and Director of Undergraduate Affairs.
Joining the NBOD are Irma Amparo Ortiz of University of Illinois at Chicago, Beta Chapter, Laura Soria of University of Illinois at Chicago, Beta Chapter, Jeanette Bonilla of Northern Illinois University, Theta Chapter, Priscilla Marrero of Illinois State University, Sigma Chapter, and Reina Salcedo of Northeastern Illinois University, Nu Chapter. “These five ladies have already displayed qualities of leadership and the passion to advance the organization. I am looking forward to what this group of women will accomplish in the upcoming year,” states Gina Nunez, outgoing National President.
Irma Amparo Ortiz, the new National President, works for Northeastern Illinois University as a Program Manager for a federally funded program called GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. She has served on NBOD from 2004-2010 as Academic, Expansion, Membership Intake, and Program Director, as well as National President. With an increase in membership and chapters, Irma hopes to revamp the organization’s systems and structures to adapt to both the growth and needs of the sorority.
Laura Soria is a Legal Support Team Specialist/Paralegal for a primarily IP law firm in Chicago, Husch Blackwell, LLP. She’s served on NBOD from 2001-2007 as Expansion Director, Financial Director, and National President. As Financial Director, Laura anticipates developing investment strategies and making sure the organization’s budgets align with the long term goals.
Jeanette Bonilla works at Champs Sports and is currently serving her first term on NBOD. As Membership Intake Director, she plans to work closely with the new Expansion Director in hopes of improving recruitment and communication.
Priscilla Marrero is a Diverse Learner Instructor at Norman Bridge Elementary and is serving her first term on NBOD. Her goal as Expansion Director is to maintain and increase the sorority’s membership within existing and potential universities. Marrero’s knowledge from being a Cygnet and chapter founder allows her to put things in perspective of those who want to do the same.
Reina Salcedo works at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine as the Assistant Director of Student Development and is serving her first term on NBOD. As Director of Undergraduate Affairs, Salcedo plans to provide longitudinal personal and professional opportunities for undergraduate members and provide resources to Regional Directors and Chapter Mentors.
With five new board members, the National Board of Directors is now comprised of nine women. The 2016 National Board of Directors is listed below:
Irma Amparo Ortiz, National President
Andrea Elizabeth Keller, Vice President
Laura Soria, Financial Director
Cynthia Gonzalez, Marketing Director
Jeanette Bonilla, Membership Intake Director
Kathy Portillo, Academic Director
Tania Figueroa, Philanthropic Director
Priscilla Marrero, Expansion Director
Reina Salcedo, Director of Undergraduate Affairs
About Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc.
Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. (Gamma Phi Omega) is a Latina-oriented organization founded on the campus of Indiana University April 17, 1991. Gamma Phi Omega strives to unite sisters in the principles of achieving academic excellence, serving the communities in which we live and learn, preserving the sacred bond of sisterhood among women, and uplifting and advancing a cultural awareness among Latinos and those in our global communities. Gamma Phi Omega is committed to the values of diversity and inclusion in order to attain and maintain excellence within our sisterhood providing women an equal opportunity without regard to race, age, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status or disability. Gamma Phi Omega is a proud member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.