Celebrating 2026 Lewis Institute Graduates
Summer 2025 welcomed the largest group of Lewis Institute graduates to date with 229 collegiate leaders completing the transformational five-day leadership experience.
In 2023, Delta Gamma launched the Member of Impact recognition program to honor members, both collegiate and alumnae, who embody Article II values and our “do good” motto by making meaningful contributions in their communities. The program aims to celebrate these outstanding members and share their stories to inspire others. Unlike traditional awards, this recognition is open to all members and highlights those whose impact may fall outside typical award categories. Read more about the program here.
We are excited to introduce the 2026 second quarter Members of Impact:
Elizabeth Alex, Alpha Omega-ArkansasPutting Kansas City on the map is Delta Gamma sister, Elizabeth Alex, who worked her way into the hearts of her community members as a well-loved television anchor at Kansas City’s KSHB before following her heart to philanthropic work.
While bringing stories to her local viewers, Elizabeth and her brother, John, were moved by the devastation caused by a powerful tsunami that struck Sri Lanka and Indonesia in 2005. The siblings traveled together to some of the hardest hit areas with the international aid organization Heart to Heart International.
Upon returning home, the Alex siblings launched the United Aid Foundation with plans to bring help to the world where it was needed. Today, the organization has touched countless lives and revels in the moments where recipients of UAF aid give back as volunteers. In addition to aid delivered to people in crisis, Elizabeth led efforts to raise a dozen children in a Romanian orphanage. The children are now grown; some have immigrated to the United States, and many still see Elizabeth as their mom.
During the war in Ukraine, Elizabeth was key in transitioning the property to house Ukrainian moms and children fleeing the violence.
Elizabeth continues to serve on the UAF Board of Directors while again making moves in her hometown. She has partnered with other nonprofits that serve communities around the world and in her community, like Mattie Rhodes Center (a
nonprofit serving Kansas City’s Hispanic population) and Unbound (a nonprofit serving communities around the world). She offers her expertise and strategic mindset to numerous boards, including Kansas City PBS, Metropolitan Community College Foundation Board, Hope Faith Homeless Assistance and Global Care Force.
She now serves as the Executive Director of University Relations for Kansas City University and represented Delta Gamma as the ‘Woman of the Year’ through the Greater Kansas City Panhellenic organization.
From the onset of her time as a Delta Gamma, Elizabeth has remained active in her chapters, communities and global community. She truly is a Member of Impact. To learn more about Elizabeth’s United Aid Foundation, visit UnitedAidFoundation.org.
Sarah Nininger, Zeta Iota-ChapmanWhile Delta Gamma is no stranger to sisters building nonprofits, it’s rare to hear the story of one who began her nonprofit in high school, shouldered it through her college career and continues the work two decades later. And yet, that is the story of our incredible sister, Sarah Nininger, who founded Action in Africa (AIA) in 2006 while attending Aspen High School in Colorado.
As a teenager, Sarah began fundraising and traveling to Uganda to support communities, and she hasn’t slowed down.
When Sarah joined Delta Gamma, she brought her nonprofit and her passion. As she pursued her degree and served her chapter as vp: Foundation, she encouraged others to join her in giving back and doing good. Zeta Iota chapter played a crucial role in supporting the needs in Uganda. The members actively engaged in service hours by hosting on-campus events and fundraisers, further demonstrating their dedication to making a positive impact. Delta Gamma members also traveled to Uganda, solidifying their connection and support for the community they were aiding.
At that point, AIA was supporting the education of 90 children, and Zeta Iota chapter exemplified their philanthropic spirit and commitment to do good by sponsoring a young primary student in Uganda for four years.
Since the inception of Action in Africa, Sarah has grown, learned, pivoted and shifted where needed. She’s demonstrated the ability to admit error and use it to fuel her forward. The maintenance and growth of AIA have not been without their trials, and Sarah has persevered.
Sarah has spent her life securing significant funding to sustain AIA’s current annual operating budget of more than $2 million. AIA now has a team of two dozen members and received its first million-dollar gift in 2024. The community center, which hosts office space for staff, after-school programs for kids and medical outreaches for the community, has served as a hub of hope for more than a decade, and AIA broke ground in 2024 to open a new community center to support another underserved community in Uganda.
Sarah boasts authentic connection, true servant leadership and unwavering integrity. Her efforts have transformed AIA into a sustainable organization that positively impacts thousands of individuals in Uganda. Sarah’s story of perseverance, ethical leadership and community connection embodies the values and principles of Delta Gamma and shows what it means to truly be a Member of Impact.
To learn more about Sarah’s Action in Africa organization, visit ActionInAfrica.com.
Lauren Shulman Hill, Gamma Xi-Texas TechLauren Hill joined the Red Raiders at Texas Tech and found her place. She has remained involved, now serving Texas Tech University as Director of Student Involvement under the Vice Provost for Student Life, where she oversees the registration and regulation of over 550+ student organizations.
Lauren continues to say yes and do good, serving as an adviser to Gamma Xi chapter and is involved with the alumnae chapter of Lubbock as well. She recently completed a term as Chair of the Recent Alumni Board for the Rawls College of Business of Texas Tech.
Lauren’s dedication to giving back has always been strong. In the spring of 2018, just one short year after graduation, Lauren and her husband, Hunter, began the Christopher A. Shulman Endowment in honor of Lauren’s late brother and Rawls College of Business alumni to benefit the Student Mental Health Community of Texas Tech. This marked Lauren as one of the youngest alumni donors from the University, and in the fall of 2021, Lauren was honored with the inaugural G.O.L.D (Graduate of the Last Decade) Award from the Rawls College of Business.
In addition to her work with the University, Lauren is involved within the volunteer community of the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, serving a term as a board member of the West Texas Chapter. To date, Lauren and her supporters have raised over $10,000 for AFSP.
Lauren continues to give back, make change, give of her time, talent and treasure, and above all, make the world a better place as a Delta Gamma Member of Impact.
To learn more about the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, visit AFSP.org. For nationwide emergency mental health care, dial *988.

Many Delta Gamma sisters do good. Margaret Hill, however, has made doing good her daily rhythm and raison d’être and has been making impacts, large and small, for at least the last 36 years.
In her Portland community, Margaret has volunteered in service and leadership roles for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Northwest Association for Blind Athletes, Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, Foot Traffic Women’s Academy and in Delta Gamma alumnae and collegiate roles, to name a few! Margaret is also continuously evolving and expanding her contributions and connections with people and organizations; her circle of influence and service just keeps growing!
Margaret is tireless in her service for others, but her gifts do not stop there. What makes Margaret Hill a Member of Impact is one of her greatest Delta Gamma qualities: her creativity, passion and talent for inspiring, recruiting and empowering other Delta Gammas, friends, and community members to pay it forward.
Margaret doesn’t just do good, she inspires, empowers and strategically equips Delta Gamma sisters, friends, and community to do good, do more and do better.
Zora Szabo, Gamma Beta-TulsaZora Szabo exemplifies what it means to “do good” through her extraordinary commitment to service, leadership and community impact.
As assistant director for the University of Tulsa’s STRETCHED program, she creates life-changing opportunities for underrepresented high school students to explore careers in healthcare through mentoring, hands-on camps, advisory panels and community partnerships. Her work has directly opened doors for students who might not otherwise see a pathway into higher education or health professions.
Beyond her professional role, Zora has demonstrated remarkable leadership in Delta Gamma, where she was one of only nine women nationwide selected for the Hope Serving trip to the Delta Gamma Center for Children with Visual Impairments. There, she supported the Celebration for Sight event, bringing together over 350 students and families in an environment of joy, accessibility and inclusion.
She also represented Delta Gamma at the AFLV UIFI Leadership Conference as a scholarship recipient, joining an elite cohort of values-based leaders to develop actionable strategies to build more inclusive and purpose-driven communities.
The latest news is the thrilling announcement that Zora will officially start medical school this fall at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, class of 2030! Her drive to continue doing good in this world does not cease.
What makes Zora’s contributions extraordinary is her ability to blend professional expertise, servant leadership and her lived experience as a first-generation aspiring physician into everything she does. She not only uplifts individuals but also strengthens systems of equity, mentorship, and representation, embodying the very spirit of Article II and living the “do good” motto in ways that leave a lasting, transformative impact.
Nicole Robinson Gauthier, Gamma Zeta-Louisiana StateNicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, is a philanthropic leader with nearly 30 years of experience strengthening communities and expanding educational opportunities through nonprofit leadership. She serves as Associate Vice Chancellor, Foundation Advancement at Lone Star College and Executive Director of LSC Foundation, where she leads initiatives that connect generous donors with transformative opportunities for one of the nation’s largest community college systems.
Throughout her career in nonprofit leadership and higher education, Nicole has dedicated herself to creating opportunities for others. Her leadership extends across Texas through her previous service as President of the Texas Association of Community College Foundations, where she championed collaboration and innovation in higher education.
Nicole’s impact extends well beyond her professional accomplishments. She is known for building meaningful relationships, encouraging others to lead and bringing people together around a shared purpose. Friends describe her as authentic, generous and someone who celebrates the success of others as enthusiastically as her own.
Her commitment to service is equally evident in her volunteer work. As an active leader with National Charity League alongside her daughters, Nicole has demonstrated that giving back is more than an act; it’s a way of life. By serving together, they have modeled the importance of compassion, leadership and community for the next generation. Nicole’s demonstration of servant leadership has earned numerous honors, including the 2024 ATHENA Leadership Award and recognition as a 2025 Trailblazer by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Whether mentoring emerging leaders, strengthening educational access, or volunteering her time, Nicole exemplifies the spirit of a Delta Gamma Member of Impact.

The Member of Impact recognition program is open to all collegians and alumnae in good standing. Members may nominate themselves or another deserving member. Though the nomination form will never close, and there is no deadline to nominate/apply, a volunteer committee will review applications quarterly. Members chosen for the program will be featured across Delta Gamma’s communication channels, including ANCHORA, blog posts, newsletters and social media.
Nominate someone or yourself as a Member of Impact today using this form! Questions? Email Fraternity Director: Communications Advancement, Vaungaylyn Zarcone, Eta Iota-Nevada, Reno, at CommunicationsAdvancement@deltagamma.org.
Summer 2025 welcomed the largest group of Lewis Institute graduates to date with 229 collegiate leaders completing the transformational five-day leadership experience.
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