Pouring Into Pi Phi

BECKEE PENA EDGE holds a deep-rooted love for Pi Phi sisterhood after all it gave to her as a collegian. Read more about her purposeful career and volunteer life as an Alumnae Club President for the Greater Orlando Area, Florida, Alumnae Club.

TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF PROFESSIONALLY.

I am the CEO and owner of Behavior Matters, founded in 2010. Behavior Matters provides therapy to children with autism through the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I have five clinics in three states. I decided to become a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) after my son was diagnosed with autism and I saw the incredible progress he made in ABA therapy. Shortly after becoming boardcertified, our family moved to Alaska. At the time, there was no one in Alaska in private practice. I saw the need for in-state services, so I took a leap of faith and opened Behavior Matters. Now that my son is an adult, I see the gap in services and affordable housing for adults with autism. My dream is to open a tiny home community in C entral Florida where adults with autism can become homeowners.

WHAT MADE YOU INITIALLY WANT TO VOLUNTEER FOR PI PHI?

I believe volunteering is good for the soul. It allows me to give back and pour into an organization that has poured so much into me. As a collegian, I had a severely disabled father at home. Being in Pi Phi gave me the escape I needed while also building the best support system I could have.

HOW HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLES AS AN ALUMNA SHAPED YOU?

Serving as an officer for alumnae clubs has been the most enjoyable for me, I love connecting with people. I get to socialize with sisters, attend events and support the mission of Pi Beta Phi. I am very grateful for the women who serve as officers with me. The years in college are just a tiny amount of time in comparison to the number of years you are an alumna, and I want every Pi Phi to stay involved in some way.

WHAT ARE THE MOST CHALLENGING AND REWARDING PARTS OF SERVING PI PHI?

A challenge as an alumnae club officer is to express how rewarding it is to sisters of all ages. I am grateful for local alumnae clubs; they have been both a professional and personal outlet.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PI PHI MEMORY?

On my very first Founders’ Day, I was given the Dart Girl award—the sister with the most spirit. To this day, I still have that certificate. Words of affirmation is my love language, it meant so much to me that my sisters felt that way about me.

WHY DO YOU THINK STAYING ENGAGED WITH OUR SISTERHOOD IS SO IMPORTANT?

Staying involved keeps Pi Beta Phi strong. Paying dues, volunteering and serving is a way to give back to the Fraternity that first gave to me.

I can’t say enough how much I loved my member class. Over the years, I have built stronger bonds with them—so much more than I thought possible.