Let's Talk Tri Delta

40 Episodes
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By: Tri Delta Fraternity

Welcome to Let’s Talk Tri Delta! Topics covered on this podcast will be relevant to the Tri Delta experience, both collegiate and alumnae, with hosts and guests who are members, friends and industry experts. We will take a deep dive into some of the most powerful stories from our award-winning magazine, The Trident, and we will get up close and personal with some of our brave, bold and kind members.

From Small-Town Start to Global Impact—Meet Woman of Achievement Sylvia Sydow Kerrigan
#176
Last Tuesday at 8:22 PM

What do the jungles of Brazil, a popcorn popper, maritime law and the United Nations have in common? They’re all part of Sylvia’s incredible (and funny) journey.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Sylvia started as a shy, small-town kid and eventually made her mark in the energy industry, from serving as general counsel to being an international traveler and even spending time at the U.N. Along the way, she shares how Tri Delta helped her find her voice, build lifelong friendships and gain the confidence to chase her big goals.

She’s...


A Visionary New Leader for Our Sisterhood
#175
04/29/2025

In this special episode, we take a closer look at Mindy’s incredible career path—from working on Capitol Hill and serving as a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice to leading strategic initiatives for global brands and nonprofits. Mindy shares the lessons she’s learned along the way, the defining moments that shaped her leadership style and how those experiences now guide her vision for Tri Delta. She also talks about the future of our sisterhood—how we can grow, evolve and create meaningful lifelong engagement for all members. Plus, you’ll hear how she balances this big r...


Beyond Beauty With Heidi Guest
#174
04/15/2025

Tri Delta CEO Mindy Tucker, Southern Methodist, dives into Heidi’s fun and exciting beauty and TV hosting career. Join them to follow along in Heidi’s career pivots, learn about the power of strengths-based leadership and hear how Tri Delta played a key role in her latest transition to starting her own company—Forte Advisers. Heidi shares invaluable advice for women navigating change, embracing their strengths, leading with purpose and reinventing themselves. whether it’s in their first job or during what she calls “the third chapter.” If you're looking for inspiration, practical career wisdom or an important reminder of...


Fearless in Finance With 2025 Woman of Achievement Jacqueline Reses, Pennsylvania
#173
04/01/2025

Jackie shares how her time at in the Tri Delta chapter at the University of Pennsylvania shaped her leadership journey, giving her a lifelong network of strong, ambitious and fun women who continue to inspire her. We’ll dive into her impressive career—from lessons learned at Goldman Sachs to leading Square and now running her own company. She gets real about the challenges she’s faced, how she tackles setbacks (spoiler: hope is not a strategy!), and why women should always put themselves in the game, especially in finance. Jackie also reflects on the meaning of the Women of Ach...


Leading With Head and Heart With 2025 Woman of Achievement Karen Lynch Parkhill
#172
03/18/2025

Hear how being “cross-cut” during recruitment as a freshman gave Karen one of her first lessons in resilience—one that shaped her journey of grit and determination as she went on to realize her dream and become a Tri Delta as a sophomore. Since then, she’s carried those traits throughout her career, navigating the challenges of being the only woman in the room, learning confidence and embracing her power in a male-dominated field.

In this conversation, we’ll hear why Karen believes in being surrounded with supportive friends who keep her grounded while pushing her toward success. Sh...


Game On: The Mahjong Movement!
#171
03/04/2025

What started as a hobby in college for Megan became a creative passion—and during the pandemic, an opportunity to build something bigger.

Now Megan leads a predominantly female team, employs fellow Tri Deltas and fosters a sense of community through her brand. She shares how Mahjong has become a powerful way to connect, create and empower others—especially women.

You’ll hear about her journey from artist to entrepreneur, the challenges of launching a company and why Mahjong is growing in popularity. Megan offers insights on embracing failure, balancing work and life, and spreading Mahjon...


The Lowdown From the TV Room
#170
02/18/2025

Do you have strong feelings about baby tees? Turns out, you’re not alone! The Tri Deltas in the TV Room are back, and they’re diving into all the latest trends—fashion, pop culture, food and even a few hot takes on going down the TikTok rabbit hole.

From SNL and Fleetwood Mac to Super Bowl commercials and DIY parties, this episode has it all. Mindy shares the app that revolutionized her grocery shopping (seriously, game-changer), Avery gives us her take on destination weddings, and the group debates what’s actually appropriate as a bridesmaid or wedding...


From Athlete to Advocate
#169
02/04/2025

Leah is a lifelong athlete, leader, philanthropist and a current volunteer with Tri Delta, helping shape the future of Tri Delta’s Foundation and working to expand our support as we serve our members. Professionally, Leah proudly serves as the first-ever Chief Advancement Officer at U.S. Soccer, where she leads philanthropic initiatives, builds fundraising teams and works on groundbreaking projects like the first national soccer training facility headquartered in Atlanta.

In this episode, we’ll hear about Leah’s work as a leader in the nonprofit sector, how Tri Delta continues to play a significant role in her...


A Financial Head Start for Our Collegiate Members
#168
01/21/2025

Learn about our partnership with MJ Sorority and hear all about their five-episode podcast, Financial Head Start, available now to Tri Delta juniors and seniors. This series covers a broad range of must-know topics, including personal finance management, understanding compensation, knowing your worth and planning for retirement. Kit and Estacia walk us through each episode, sharing insights on what listeners can expect to learn, and Ari offers her perspective on why the Financial Head Start will resonate so strongly with her generation of Tri Deltas.

To access the Financial Head Start, Tri Delta members should visit LEADDDer...


Facing cancer with courage
#167
01/07/2025

Imagine being 13, starting eighth grade and working toward making the volleyball team, when a sudden loss of coordination and numbness in your legs leads to a life-changing cancer diagnosis—a tumor growing around your spine. In this touching podcast episode, Ella shares her journey from diagnosis to surgery and chemo, as well as the challenges of losing a sense of normalcy.  

Hear Ella’s Tri Delta story, the exceptional fundraising efforts by Phi Eta Chapter for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and her own advocacy to support other families facing cancer. Ella shares what she’s up to now...


Investing for Impact, Trailblazing With Purpose
#166
12/10/2024

It’s no surprise that Gayle has received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. She inherited the spirit, energy and deep-rooted desire to create positive change from her parents—strong role models for this high-achieving woman. Discover why she accepted the invitation to serve on Tri Delta’s Foundation Board of Trustees while simultaneously building Wocstar Capital, Wocstar Fund and Wocstar Media. Through these endeavors, Gayle remains dedicated to investing in women, especially women entrepreneurs of color, and helping them share their stories. Hear about the broader impact of Gayle’s work and what’s next for her as she con...


2024 Founders' Day Proclamation
#165
11/27/2024

To read or watch the 2024 Founders' Day Proclamation, please visit The Trident online. 


From scholarships and sisterhood to success
#164
10/29/2024

Allie talks about everything from her collegiate Tri Delta experience and how she decided on law school to her gratitude towards donors for the scholarships that helped her reach her goals. She credits Tri Delta with providing invaluable skills from recruitment to building her confidence and creating a safe place to make mistakes and grow before entering the “real world.” Now, since navigating law school, settling into her first job and buying her first home, she is looking forward to embracing the unknown while balancing career and her upcoming wedding!

You won’t want to miss this inspiri...


Filmmaking and Finding Community: It’s Never Too Late
#163
10/22/2024

Hear Mary discuss her unexpected path into independent filmmaking, proving it’s never too late to pursue your passions. She shares how her Tri Delta experience influenced her films and storytelling, weaving Tri Delta values into her themes of connection, empowerment, community and the importance of women supporting women. From powerful films like “State of Grace,” inspired by the opioid epidemic, to upcoming projects, Mary’s journey is filled with insights on growth and finding purpose. Discover how she uses her films to start meaningful conversations about life, inspire change and leave viewers with a new perspective—making them think “I’m...


A Memorable Keynote From Doris Kearns Goodwin
#162
10/08/2024

Doris captivated us with stories of her late husband, Dick Goodwin, and her new book “An Unfinished Love Story: A Personal History of the 1960s,” artfully weaving together biography, memoir and history. 

Listen in as Doris recounted her experiences working closely with President Lyndon B. Johnson and her reflections on the challenges and triumphs of democracy throughout history. Her humor, warmth and wisdom shone through as she shared anecdotes about Presidents and their First Ladies, with timeless lessons on leadership and resilience as well as the transformative power of Tri Delta sisterhood.

Whether you're a histo...


The Power of One: Inside One of the First Tri Delta St. Jude Events
#161
09/24/2024

If you’ve ever been curious about how our partnership with St. Jude first began, we have a story for you! Meet sisters Cora Beth and Meade and hear firsthand how these trailblazing women—along with their Beta Mu Chapter sisters—turned one bold idea into a domino effect. They’ll take you back to the 1990s to share how they organized their very first fundraising initiatives without the help of social media or modern-day technology to spread the word. They’ll share their concept of “the power of one” and how college students opened the doors to gender equality showi...


Talking Back to School and Fall Favorites in the TV Room
#160
09/10/2024

Mindy, Meredith, Lexi and Avery—our Tri Deltas in the TV room—are back to talk about what’s on everyone’s mind: back to school. They dive into topics like the first day of school traditions, campus trends and all things fall, including a debate about the pumpkin spice obsession (yea or nay?). They share their own memories of recruitment, their best teachers and funny stories about roommates, give great advice on how to balance school and social life, and tackle controversy on touchy topics like cell phones in school. These ladies deliver on an informative, humorous and insightfu...


Bringing Heart and Hustle to NCAA Men’s D1 Basketball
#159
08/27/2024

Bailey shares her story of growing up in Manhattan, Kansas, her early experiences that influenced her decision to join Tri Delta, and her journey from entry-level positions to becoming the Director of Operations for the Kansas State University men’s basketball team. Bailey highlights her formula for success, which includes not letting intimidation hold you back, using your talents and strengths in all you do, and finding mentors to push you out of your comfort zone. She also encourages us to trust that things will work out in the end. 

Learn how Tri Delta has played a piv...


From Tri Delta to Trendsetting Jeweler Mignonne Gavigan
#158
08/13/2024

Maggie discovered that women radiate confidence when they wear one of her pieces, and that’s at the heart of her mission—creating a community where women feel as fabulous as they look. Learn how Maggie’s journey stitches together her Tri Delta values with her company ethos and, ultimately, her entrepreneurial success. Get an exclusive peek into her upcoming anniversary celebrations as well as hear her business advice, lessons learned and fashion insights and trends. Dive into her travels and the inspiration behind her designs, the origin of the iconic scarf necklace and what’s next in the collecti...


JG Talks About Mastering College Success
#157
07/30/2024

Hear Jennifer’s journey from lawyer to college professor-turned-campus speaker and educational content creator. Through her campus talks and online courses, Jennifer shares invaluable advice for students and parents, cutting through the noise to highlight effective strategies for maximizing connection, communication, networking and time management. She delves into essential study skills, providing insights and actionable steps to give students (or anyone) a significant edge in their academic journey.

Jennifer believes in complete authenticity--being genuine and true to oneself in every aspect, whether it’s making connections, demonstrating competence or pursuing interests--and shares her wisdom and knowledge for obta...


Passion, Purpose and Philanthropy With a Fulbright Scholar
#156
07/09/2024

Riley shares her touching story of how a little boy she never met became the driving force behind her dedication to pediatric cancer advocacy. Listen as she talks about her work as a student researcher at St. Jude and her deep connection to Tri Delta.

Discover how a beautiful coincidence led to Riley and Meredith reconnecting on the St. Jude campus and how Riley’s passion influenced her college experience. She opens up about how she inspired her chapter to give back, the importance of finding your “why” in philanthropy, and ways to support St. Jude even if you...


TV Room: Family Memories, Pansy Celebration and More
#155
06/11/2024

In today’s episode, we uncover the reason why Meredith is absent from the TV Room and laugh along with hot topics about vacations, family, passions, running, group fitness and DIY beauty. The conversation shifts gears into the craziness of life in May, with the end of the school year signifying major transitions as seniors graduate. Our hosts reminisce about their own Pansy Celebrations and the meaningful ritual that welcomed them into the Tri Delta alumnae world when they graduated. 

The common thread throughout the conversation is that life is a journey of ups, downs and chaos, but...


Why YOU Should Go to Tri Delta’s Convention From Two Seasoned Attendees
#154
06/04/2024

Eve and Amy share the amazing small-world story of their connection and delve into a deep conversation about the impact of Tri Delta’s Convention on their lives. They open up about their love for Convention and the multitude of learning opportunities and inspiration that comes from being exposed to new people and ideas, all while enjoying the bonds of sisterhood. Eve and Amy paint a vivid picture of the unique experience and energy found at Convention, explaining that it is “unlike anything you’ll experience within your smaller groups” and how “the blend of tradition, history and ritual is like not...


Amplify Your Job Search with Amanda McRitchie Park
#153
05/28/2024

In this episode, Amanda delivers straight-talking, no-nonsense advice from her years of recruiting and career consulting experience. Her approach is direct yet comes from a place of genuine care for helping people in all stages of their careers, from college upperclassmen and recent grads to moms re-entering the workforce and seasoned professionals.

Amanda delves into all things job hunting: resume building, using social media, finding the right cultural fit and the importance of soft skills. She also catches us up on how Tri Delta still plays an important role in her life and how it gave her c...


The Good Girl Revolution—Empowering Women’s Health
#152
05/21/2024

In this must-listen episode, Kimberlee and Sara share how they are empowering and advocating for all women in the quest to improve women’s health. They share their journeys from Tri Delta, through their early start of their careers to the pivotal moments that sparked their current missions and the intersection where a film producer and health professional find their work overlapping in the most surprising of ways.

We delve into the “good girl revolution” and the current societal conditioning that often silences women and discourages them from advocating for their health—as they offer insights on how to c...


Postpartum Depression, Motherhood and Women’s Sports
#151
05/07/2024

Taylor’s success stems from her grit and bravery—always chasing her dreams. She joined Tri Delta as a graduate student, drawn to our values, and eventually served Alpha Kappa Chapter as president. 

Taylor shares her journey navigating postpartum depression, the power of community and how she helps others prioritize mental health and seek life-changing support. Juggling roles as a mom, wife, connector and advocate, she has still found a way (and the time!) to break barriers by playing tight end for the Cincinnati Cougars, a semi-pro football team. 

Her football journey defies societal norms, inspiri...


WNBA Draft, Butterfly Goals and The Bachelor—Back in the TV Room
#150
04/23/2024

In this episode, our hosts share key moments from our recent Collegiate Leadership Conference (CLC), where more than 600 Tri Delta collegians came together for leadership development, networking and fun. Hear about the touching moments of the weekend that left a lasting impact on them, and learn more about butterfly goals, shared with our attendees by CLC keynote speaker (and former podcast guest) Tara Renze.

We learn more about our hosts as Lexi puts the other three in the hotseat, followed by WNBA draft talk, an update on “The Bachelor” franchise and a serious moment about the impact of so...


Life-altering Messages From the Author of “Be Who You Came to Be”
#149
04/09/2024

Tara Renze, author of “Be Who You Came to Be,” was inspired by a letter to embark on her third personal evolution. But this was not just any letter—it was the final letter written by her 87-year-old grandmother to Tara’s newborn son. 

Tara shares how two sentences from her grandmother became the basis for her life-changing book and work. She also explains emotional intelligence, mental fitness and the two cortexes of our brains—and how they can work together to help us ignore internet trolls! Learn Tara’s take on toxic positivity and get guidance on her three...


Road Warriors: Tales From Tri Delta’s Sr. Chapter Development Consultants
#148
04/02/2024

Shannon Bogardus, Delaware, Erin Magner, Brenau, and Emma Thom, Butler, Tri Delta’s three 2023-2024 Senior Chapter Development Consultants, reflect on their adventures on the road from the must-have items they pack in their suitcases and their go-to comfort foods in different regions to making countless balloon arches and spending the day in a police station (yikes!). 

But it's not all fun and games. These young alumnae share insights into their role as growth agents for our collegiate chapters, dispel myths about chapter visits and highlight their greatest accomplishments in empowering and establishing Tri Delta chapters across the...


The Social Impact of Technology With HIV/AIDS Advocate and 2024 Woman of Achievement Brooke Wurst
#147
03/26/2024

Brooke delved inro her work endeavors and how she supports organizations to “help them do the good they do better.” She dropped some serious wisdom about showing up authentically, finding and activating allies, and recognizing mutual opportunities for support. 

Plus, she took us on a hilarious trip down memory lane as she recalls her time in the Bloomers, the first all-female comedy sketch group in the country. Between laughs, there was a more serious message about being a confident woman, engaging in tough conversations about what’s funny and understanding the essence of comedy—knowing your audience. 

Findi...


Service, career advice and corporate gender parity
#146
03/19/2024

In this episode, Sandy shares her early business passion sparked by her involvement in Junior Achievement followed by Tri Delta’s transformative impact on her life. It all led to her trailblazing role as chair of the Enterprise Finance Committee which helped shape the financial future of Tri Delta. Sandy expands upon her life-changing Tri Delta board service, why she says “finance is fun” and what being named a Woman of Achievement means to her. 

She expands upon her rich corporate background and takes us on her long and pioneering career journey and as the former President and CEO...


Business Trailblazer and Woman of Achievement Maureen Kempston Darkes
#145
03/12/2024

In this episode, Maureen shares her remarkable journey from the automotive industry to becoming GM Canada’s first woman president. From her unconventional career path to her commitment to women's healthcare and education, Maureen shares valuable insights and advice to all of us on taking risks, getting uncomfortable and embracing an entrepreneurial spirit. We discuss the importance of the role of female mentorship in business, mutual support and the transformative power of education. Maureen talks about the recognition of being named one of Tri Delta’s 2024 Women of Achievement with a shoutout to all her Canadian sisters as well as t...


Beyond the Disney Castle: Jody Carbiener Dreyer’s Magical Journey
#144
03/05/2024

Jody, a natural connector and friend-maker, effortlessly spreads her magic wherever she goes—just like the Disney scarf she proudly wears. With an impressive 30-year tenure and 22 positions at The Walt Disney Company, Jody shares her wisdom around the mantra “Happily ever after is the magic happening all around you.”

In her book "Beyond the Castle," each chapter unveils a cleverly written account of the invaluable lessons learned from her Disney experiences. She discusses her reflections on branding to introducing the term "servitality” and takes you on a journey through her Disney keepsakes, with the most cherished treasure...


Tri Deltas in the TV Room: Girl Power, Super Bowl and Marry Me Chicken!
#143
02/27/2024

Tri Deltas in the TV Room welcomes our newest podcast host, Lexi, into the hot seat. In our rapid-fire round, we got to know her better when we covered everything from mac ’n’ cheese and coffee to beach days and crocheting. We caught up on New Year's resolutions and channeled Gloria Gaynor vibes with Mindy’s determination to survive the slopes.

Super Bowl LVIII took center stage with our dive into the ads, Taylor Swift, Mama Kelce and Beyoncé and then transitioned to Avery’s lessons learned from Bachelor Nation. For Valentine’s Day, we delved into traditions...


From “Hungry” to Healing
#142
02/20/2024

Tune in as Caroline kicks off the episode by highlighting our innate hunger from birth—for food, love, connection and joy! With insights from her book “Hungry,” Caroline shares keys to overcoming eating disorders and living a full life, which includes the enjoyment of cooking and food. Dive into her larger mission of health and wellness, volunteer initiatives, family life and her future plans! From her journey as a high school Homecoming queen to finding her place in Tri Delta, explore Caroline’s evolution from disordered eating to recovery and beyond. Unveiling the symbolic layers within “Hungry” (yes, there’s cake on the...


Disco and Deltas! Betsy Schechter on Gloria Gaynor and “I Will Survive”
#141
02/13/2024

A session with Tri Delta’s LEADDD Network, recorded live Feb. 6, 2024: Tri Delta’s LEADDD Network session, recorded live Feb. 6, 2024: In this special LEADDD Network session, Betsy takes us on a journey through her experiences in the film and TV industry, recounting how she founded her own production company at a young age and the significant role Tri Delta continues to play in her life and career.

Then prepare to be inspired and uplifted as Betsy shares the making of “Gloria Gaynor: I Will Survive” and how her friendship with Gloria has impacted her life. Betsy delves into the...


Relationships, Career and Willing Service
#140
02/06/2024

Maryland alumna Deven McGraw's brilliance shines through as she provides a glimpse into her work as a national expert on health data policy. She humbly acknowledges how our values of truth, self-sacrifice and friendship guide her through both personal and professional challenges. Friendship and relationships form the core of Deven's life, and she actively lives out her mission to bring kindness wherever she goes—whether improving the lives of patients, advising young women as a collegiate chapter advisor or interacting with strangers. Deven reflects on winning the Sarah Ida Shaw Award and how those moments of recognition continue to ins...


"Working for Justice” True Crime, True Sisterhood and True Triumph
#139
01/30/2024

What would you do if years of trauma and abuse culminated into the worst tragedy of your life—the murder of your mother at the hands of your brother? It sounds like fiction but it is Amy Winnick Chesler’s real-life story.

Her response was remarkable: turning to the unwavering support of her Tri Delta sisters from our Cal State/Northridge Beta Beta Chapter. These incredible women stood by her side just two weeks after she graduated from college, and their support remains a pillar in her life 16 years later. Amy’s journey toward healing led her to pou...


Reunions, Retirement and Enduring Friendship
#138
01/23/2024

Get to know Lisa Lewis Sernett, California/Berkeley, our 1985 Sarah Ida Shaw Award recipient, as she delves into her life’s profound theme: the pivotal role relationships play in shaping her. She reflects on the depth of her choices, emphasizing the extraordinary connections she’s forged through Tri Delta and beyond. Her rich and cherished friendships have been the cornerstone of her journey, evident in her remarkable 36-year dinner club. Through her endearing anecdotes—from winning the SIS Award to her career choices and family travel adventures—Lisa talks about the significance of camaraderie, bonding and shared experiences in fosterin...


Tri Deltas in the TV Room—New Year, New Start!
#137
01/09/2024

In this episode, our hosts take a moment to reflect on 2023 and Season 15 while giving an exclusive peek into what’s in store for 2024 and Season 16.

From the age-old tradition of New Year’s resolutions to the innovative idea of picking a personal “word” for the year, and even diving into the impact of Taylor Swift as Time’s Person of the Year, nothing is off limits in this fun and witty Tri Deltas in the TV room podcast episode.

The ladies spill their excitement for our St. Jude goal of 100M raised in 25 years, summer DDD...