THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GWENDOLYN L. KIRTLEY

Gwendolyn L. Kirtley was installed as the Great Lakes Regional Director of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc at the 70 Boule in Orlando, Florida She will execute her term under the dynamic leadership of Danette Anthony Reed, Supreme Basileus

In the role of Regional Director, she is responsible for leading over 7,000 accomplished, educated, and service-oriented members who commit daily to enhancing the lives of their respective communities

With a vision for a "Greater" Great Lakes Region, Ms Kirtley has galvanized sorors from the great states of Michigan, Ohio, Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and West Virginia to soar “Greater Together” in service and sisterhood.

Gwendolyn was initiated as a charter member of Nu Upsilon Chapter at Capital University in 1981, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Art Therapy She is a Silver Star and a Life Member Her outstanding leadership abilities have been demonstrated at every level of the organization with a focus on teamwork, collaboration, and open mindedness.

As a member of Alpha Omega Chapter, she has held numerous roles including Basileus and Chairman of Alpha Omega Foundation, Incorporated At the regional level, she has served as Northern Ohio/Western Pennsylvania Cluster Coordinator and Co-chairman of the 87 Great Lakes Regional Conference

Internationally, as a member of the Leadership Development Committee, she co-designed curriculum and facilitated training for hundreds of sorors who have earned various sorority certifications She has presented nearly one hundred sorority workshops

Gwendolyn is a recipient of numerous awards and accolades, notably the Great Lakes Region's Margaret Davis Bowen Graduate Basileus Award and Pamela L Redden Outstanding Silver Star Award

Professionally, Gwendolyn retired with over 36 years of experience with State Farm Insurance She is a former board member of the American Red Cross, Berea Family and Children Services, Garfield Heights Community Center, and Ivy Plaza Management Corporation She is currently an active member of the NAACP, and an ambassador for United Way and the American Red Cross

She is a devoted mother of two adult children, Nichole A Kirtley and Carl Marsalis Kirtley, both of whom are HBCU graduates, She is engaged to Mr Paul Redd Her fiancé, children and church family are counted blessings and constant reminders that to whom much is given, much is required