In 2005, the Mizzou Alumni Association created the Griffiths Leadership Society for Women, a subgroup of the MAA devoted to lifelong learning, leadership development and mentoring. Membership is open to both current students and alumnae, and each student member is paired with an alum that shares a common bond, whether it’s a common field of business, a shared hometown, or even a familiar need to balance work and life.

In October, younger members like new alum Kelsey Kotur ’07 and current Mizzou student Sydney Ferleger ’09 got to mingle with and learn from older alumnae like Val Lawlor ’71 and Susan Chaffin Matthews ’69 at the Griffiths Society Fall Conference. The two-day session encouraged mentees and mentors to bond at breakfasts and dinners while organizing presentations on such topics as breaking the glass ceiling, women in science and politics, and establishing yourself as a brand.

Val Lawlor '71, Kelsey Kotur '07, Sydney Ferleger '09, and Susan Chaffin Matthews '69 at the conference in October.

Kelsey has been a member of the organization since 2009 and says that each mentor she’s met through the program has been both inspiring and encouraging. She says, “I’ve met many empowering women and feel more confident as a graduate student [in the M.B.A. program at Mizzou] transitioning into full-time employment.”

Older alumnae enjoy connecting with promising young women at the University. Val has been a part of the Griffiths Society since its inception in 2005 and notes that she’s always enjoyed the programs at the conferences, “but it’s the relationships that really make Griffiths meaningful for me.”

Although the group limits its alumnae membership to 250 members at any given time, Omicron can be proud to count many women among its members. Here are a few of the Alpha Phis that have been initiated into the Society:

To learn more about the Griffiths Society or to inquire about membership, you can visit their website at www.griffithsleadershipsociety.com.