REAL Leadership Retreat
The REAL Leadership Retreat (RLR) is a virtual leadership retreat for newly elected collegiate chapter executive council officers. Gamma Phi Beta is dedicated to equipping collegiate leaders with the skills to be effective leaders in their chapters and beyond. The REAL Leadership Retreat helps newly elected executive council members understand their personal communication style, navigate team norms and become positive role models in their chapter.
What Past Participants Say
“I really enjoyed the way that this retreat was run! I felt very confident in the conversations I was able to have with my council, and I appreciated the guidance provided by this training.”
“The retreat had a lot of great information to know as an incoming officer. It really helped me realize the resources to utilize when in leadership within your chapter.”
“I think creating our goals as an [executive council] created a huge sense of connection and trust between us after this retreat. The biggest take away for me is learning to be strong as an [executive council].”
“I liked being able to see how different executive teams operate and learn from them and maybe even implement things that work for them.”
REAL Leadership Retreat 2025 Facilitators
Meet the 2025 RLR facilitators!
Abbi Allen
Abbi is the Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Virginia Tech and an advocate for how the fraternity and sorority experience develops student leaders. She believes the Panhellenic experience to be a powerful one. She is excited to spend time at the REAL retreat helping other women tap into their own power and confidence. She is a proud member of Chi Omega, loves to travel, and is an avid collegiate athletics fan
Abbi will be facilitating on Saturday, January 25 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 26 from 8 a.m. to noon MT.
Brandy Davis
Brandy Davis joined Gamma Phi Beta at Zeta Psi (Texas-San Antonio), where she currently serves as the chapter’s advisor. Brandy is a marketing analyst at Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union in San Antonio. She is eager to use her experience as a volunteer and her member knowledge within the Sorority to support the next generation of leaders. At RLR, Brandy is most excited about connecting with collegiate members, so they can feel confident and set up for success in their new roles.
Brandy will be facilitating on Saturday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Saturday, January 18 from 1-4 p.m. MT.
Christina Lawler
Christina Lawler is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and currently resides in Washington, D.C. She works as a program coordinator in graduate medical education and undergraduate medical education. Christina is excited to facilitate for Gamma Phi Beta and have the opportunity to serve and connect with more Panhellenic sisters. She is particularly looking forward to RLR, where she hopes to help newly elected council members understand the impact of their roles, discover their "why" and gain enthusiasm for their new chapter leadership positions.
Christina will be facilitating on Saturday, January 18 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 19 from 1-4 p.m. MT.
Emma Alverson
Emma Alverson is an initiate of Appalachian State University's chapter of Kappa Delta. She currently works for National Kappa Delta as a leadership development consultant and resides in Fort Worth, Texas, where she also supports Texas Christian University's reestablished chapter. Emma cannot wait to work with you all and support you as you find your footing in your new roles! Working for Kappa Delta, she is eager to facilitate for Gamma Phi Beta and become more connected in the Panhellenic community.
Emma will be facilitating Sunday, January 12 1-4 p.m. MT and Sunday, January 19 1-4 p.m. MT.
Jen Stout
Jen Stout is a proud sister of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority and serves as the volunteer engagement specialist at the sorority’s executive office. Having been both a campus-based fraternity/sorority advisor and now a sorority staff member, Jen believes in the impact sorority membership can have. She is excited about having dynamic conversations with RLR participants about how to elevate the sorority experience and preparing participants to lead their chapters toward success this year.
Jen will be facilitating Saturday, January 11 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 26 1-4 p.m. MT.
Jenna Heath
Jenna Heath is a member of Gamma Phi Beta who was initiated at Beta Lambda (San Diego State). She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her current role as the director of student and community engagement at
University of Nevada-Las Vegas’ College of Liberal Arts. Jenna is excited to connect with dynamic women and foster meaningful discussions at RLR. Gamma Phi Beta has been instrumental in shaping her own leadership journey, and she is eager to help participants embrace emotional leadership and navigate challenges with confidence.
Jenna will be facilitating Sunday, January 12 1-4 p.m. MT, Saturday, January 18 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 26 1-4 p.m. MT.
Katherine Bogdala
Katherine Bogdala is a Gamma Phi Beta initiated at Rho chapter (University of Iowa). She currently serves as Nursing Operations Specialist at Froedtert South Hospital Gamma Phi Beta has been a transformative part of Katherine’s life and she attributes the organization into shaping her into the leader she is today. She’s looking forward to serving as a facilitator iand to give back to the sisterhood that gave her so much. She is most looking forward to mentoring and guiding the new executive council members as they begin their leadership journeys. This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to foster their growth, encourage collaboration, and inspire them to lead with passion and purpose, all while strengthening our sisterhood and upholding the values of Gamma Phi Beta.
Katherine will be facilitating Sunday, January 12 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 19 9 a.m. to noon MT.
Laura Ashlock
Laura Ashlock (she/her) joined Gamma Phi Beta at Zeta Theta (Pepperdine). She is currently a psychology Ph.D. candidate studying leadership and group dynamics at the University of California, Riverside. Her work has been largely influenced by the leadership experiences and development she experienced through Gamma Phi. Laura is excited to connect with emerging leaders as they embark on their leadership journey!
Laura will be facilitating Sunday, January 11 1-4 p.m. Sunday, January 19 from 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 26 9 a.m. to Noon MT.
Leslie Kim
Leslie Hyun Kim (California-Berkeley) is currently serving as the regional team leader for West 1. She is a wellness professional and life coach residing in San Francisco. A longtime Girls on the Run (GOTR) coach, Leslie is currently a member of the associate board for GOTR Bay Area. When she’s not working, you’ll find her volunteering with the SFSPCA’s animal assisted therapy program and participating in various dog sports with her Italian Greyhound, Luna. Leslie is excited about RLR and the chance to equip emerging collegiate leaders with the tools to lead their chapters with passion, authenticity and integrity.
Leslie will be facilitating Saturday, January 11 1-4 p.m. MT and Saturday, January 25 1-4 p.m. MT.
Shauna Butts
Shauna will be facilitating Sunday, January 12 9 a.m. to noon MT and Sunday, January 25 1-4 p.m. MT.Rebecca Reed
Rebecca will be facilitating Saturday, January 18 1-4 p.m. MT and Saturday, January 25 9 a.m. to noon MT.REAL Leadership Retreat 2025 dates:
- January 7, 9 a.m. to Noon MT
- January 9, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 11, 9 a.m. to Noon MT
- January 11, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 12, 9 a.m. - Noon MT
- January 12, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 18, 9 a.m. - Noon MT
- January 18, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 19, 9 a.m. - Noon MT
- January 19, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 25, 9 a.m. - Noon MT
- January 25, 1-4 p.m. MT
- January 26, 9 a.m. - Noon MT
- January 26, 1-4 p.m. MT
Newly elected AVPs should complete the following registration form at least one week prior to their desired RLR date.
RLR Frequently Asked Questions
The AVP is responsible for registering all retreat participants. To do this, the AVP should complete the following:
- Work with her chapter’s executive council officers and chapter advisor to identify one retreat date all participants can attend.
- Gather registration information from attendees. This includes participants’ first name, last name, preferred email address and preferred phone number.
- Hint: You can also find this information in Beta Base!
- Use the compiled participant information in step two to register for RLR. Registration must be completed one week prior to the desired RLR date. After the AVP has submitted the registration form, your chapter’s required attendees will be registered for the identified retreat date in Zoom and receive confirmation via email. This process may take up to seven business days.
- Connect with your chapter’s retreat participants the Monday prior to your scheduled retreat date to confirm that all participants have access to the retreat Zoom link, have downloaded their Officer Transition Guide and have begun and/or completed the required Fidelity online lesson for their position.
Any questions about RLR registration should be directed to your chapter advisor.
Administrative vice presidents are required to register their chapter at least one week prior to their desired retreat date. Therefore, all registrations should be completed no later than January 20, 2025. Administrative vice presidents who do not register their chapter at least one week prior to their desired retreat date are not guaranteed attendance at that retreat and may be required to both find an alternate retreat date and re-register. Advance registration recommended as retreat dates fill up quickly.
Chapters should not change RLR registration dates after their registration form has been submitted. REAL Leadership Retreat date changes will be accepted on a case-by-case basis only. As such, it is imperative that the AVP thoroughly discusses RLR date availability with newly elected executive council officers before completing the retreat registration form.
Each executive council member has a specific role to play, and this retreat is tailor-made for each role. For this reason, no substitutions will be accepted.
Attendance at RLR is required for every executive council. If a chapter’s executive council fails to attend RLR, they may be responsible for covering the cost of an in-person facilitator to visit their chapter.
Following the completion of RLR, the chapter president is responsible for uploading the chapter goals to Beta Base. The executive council should plan to meet with their chapter’s collegiate chapter supervisor (CCS) to receive feedback regarding their chapter vision and chapter goals. Once the executive council has received feedback, the chapter president should submit their final chapter goals in Beta Base by February 15.
For questions regarding registration or availability, contact your chapter advisor. Questions not answered by your chapter advisor can be directed to fidelity@gammaphibeta.org.
Gamma Phi Beta leadership, education and philanthropic programming is funded in part by the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Foundation and the many generous donors that allow the Sorority to create this programming.