Chicago, Ill., January 3, 2017 – Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. has appointed and transitioned a new member to the National Board of Directors (NBOD) this past month. The new member will serve as the National Vice President through the end of the fiscal year 2017.

Joining the NBOD is Danette Surges of DePaul University, Epsilon Chapter. As an undergraduate, Danette was Epsilon chapter’s NBOD undergrad representative, and after graduation immediately ran for the NBOD becoming Philanthropic Director in 2001-2002. Additionally, she served as the National Vice President and then National President in 2002-2004 respectively.

“I am grateful to Danette for her willingness to serve as National Vice President for the remainder of this fiscal year. She is eager to come back and support new initiatives and see them through while in office” states Irma Amparo Ortiz, National President.

Danette obtained her Bachelor’s degree in French Language and Literature with a minor in philosophy, and currently works at Perillo BMW in the Gold Coast as a Team Leader in the service department. As National Vice President, her goals include to renew/secure best possible insurance policy for our organization’s needs, work with the Risk Management Committee to revise our current risk management policy, and create new ways of educating our members on this policy and crisis management.

Danette’s leadership and experience on being part of the NBOD will add great value to the organization’s strategic goals and initiaves.

The 2016 – 2017 National Board of Directors is listed below:

Irma Amparo Ortiz, National President

Danette Surges, National Vice President

Laura Soria, Financial Director

Noemi Roman, Recording Secretary

Kathy Portillo, Academic Director

Jennifer Baquedano, Director of Alumnae Affairs

Reina Salcedo, Director of Undergraduate Affairs

Priscilla Marrero, Expansion Director

Cynthia Gonzalez, Marketing Director

Valerie Vargas, Membership Intake Director

Tania Figueroa, Philanthropic Director

Maria Amador, Program Director

Flor Carabez, Historian

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.