Say Yes to Sisterhood

JENN PLAGMAN-GALVIN, PH.D. Grand President

Dear Pi Phis,

Earlier this summer, I stood among sisters in Louisville, Kentucky, at Pi Beta Phi’s 75 th Biennial Convention—a true Celebration of Sisterhood. I felt immense gratitude and a sense of responsibility as I was elected your Grand President. That moment, and so many others during convention, reminded me of the depth of our sisterhood and the shared purpose that connects us all. Most notably, it reminded me how one “yes” has the power to change a life.

Grand President wasn’t a role I dreamed of, but it’s one I accepted with deep appreciation when Pi Phi asked. In fact, each step of my Pi Phi journey happened because someone saw something in me—because a sister tapped me on the shoulder and encouraged me to take a chance. First, as Chapter President at Iowa Gamma, then, as a Leadership Development Consultant and later, through service on Grand Council. Each “yes” brought personal growth I could never have imagined.

Through each of those experiences, I learned a simple yet powerful truth: Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up sincerely, evolving, being willing to learn and leaning on others along the way.

I carry that spirit of sincerity with me in this role. It means leading with intention and authenticity, being honest about where we are as an organization and where our sisterhood needs to grow. It’s this commitment to listening and evolving that has guided some of our most meaningful work as a Fraternity in recent years.

One example of that work is the evolution of our meeting Ritual, a process shaped by decades of member feedback and thoughtful leadership. Starting this fall, all members will open and close chapter and club meetings with the same words, the same intention and the same opportunity to feel belonging. It’s a unifying moment for our sisterhood, and one I invite each of you to embrace.

We’re also engaging with members in new ways. With the support of our trusted partners and the power of technology, we’re learning how to adapt and grow while staying grounded in our values. Our Fraternity’s strategic focus remains clear: create meaningful member engagement, ensure financial sustainability and strengthen operations for the future.

Beyond those goals, what fuels me most is our sisterhood. I am energized by you—our members. I’ve shared meals with sisters decades older than me and learned alongside Pi Phis years younger. I’ve cried with sisters during tough times and celebrated milestones that only sisters can understand. These friendships, spanning generations and geography, are at the heart of Pi Beta Phi.

To every Pi Phi, whether you’ve just been initiated, recently attended your 50-year reunion or find yourself somewhere in between, my message is the same—say yes! Say yes when you’re not sure you’re ready, say yes when another sister sees something in you and say yes to lifting others up, too. One “yes” could shape a future you haven’t even imagined yet.

As we begin this new biennium together, I’m filled with hope for all we’ll accomplish and the ways we’ll continue to show up for one another. It’s an honor to lead alongside you.

In Pi Phi,