Greetings, Sorors, Philos, and Rhoers of the Super Southwestern Region, I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to share some exciting news and to humbly ask for your support as I embark on a new journey within our beloved Sisterhood. Throughout the twenty years of service in our Sisterhood, I've had the privilege of serving in various impactful roles such as the Centennial Southwestern Region Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator, Southwestern Region Epistoleus, Southwestern Region Elections Chair, Lambda Upsilon Sigma Alumnae Chapter Basileus, and cochairing the Marketing & Communications Committee of the Going for the Sigma Gold Strategic Planning Team. Now, I am humbled and excited to announce my candidacy for the 23rd Syntaktes of the Southwestern Region. My campaign, "Building Together: One Sisterhood United in Service," is not just a slogan but a commitment to progress, empowerment, and community collaboration. It reflects my dedication to building on the legacy we share and fortifying the bonds that define us. Key Pillars of the Campaign: • Enhanced Member Experience Through Operational Efficiency - Promoting balance, resource allocation, and streamlining processes to ensure operational efficiency and an improved member experience. • Community Service Is the Foundation - Ensuring the anchor of everything we do uplifts and empowers women and families. • Leadership Development for a Stronger Tomorrow - Providing enhanced educational opportunities and resources that empower chapters, members, and affiliates and nurture a pipeline for the next generation of leaders in our Sisterhood. • Transparent Governance for Accountability - Committing to open communication, accountability, and ethical governance to build and maintain trust within the Region and community. • Community Collaboration for Inclusivity - Ensuring diverse voices are included, heard, and valued in decisionmaking processes, creating initiatives that reflect the needs of the entire Region. • Infrastructure Development for Sustainable Growth - Investing in the foundations of our Region by focusing on technology, investments, and programs that promote sustainable growth. Because it's not about ME... it's about WE. Are you #readytobuild? In Service, LaTisha Brandon Candidate for the 23rd Syntaktes of the Southwestern Region Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
LaTisha S. Brandon, a seasoned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) practitioner, possesses a remarkable track record of developing and executing transformative DE&I strategies for both Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations. Her journey at The Container Store, the nation’s premier specialty retailer of organizing solutions, began in 2021, where she spearheaded the company's inaugural DE&I strategy, established employee resource and affinity groups, DE&I councils, and a supplier diversity program. In July 2022, LaTisha's leadership earned her a promotion to Vice President, expanding her responsibilities to include Culture and Charitable Giving. In this elevated role, she leads the company's DE&I initiatives, employee engagement efforts, and corporate giving programs. Before joining The Container Store, LaTisha played a pivotal role at Celanese, crafting the DE&I strategy and spearheading the supplier diversity program. Her earlier leadership positions at JCPenney and Dick’s Sporting Goods showcased her multifaceted expertise in inclusion & diversity, ecommerce, and merchandising, providing a solid foundation for her impactful career in DE&I. LaTisha's excellence in DE&I has garnered significant recognition, including being named a Top 100 Diversity Officer by the National Diversity Council in both 2023 and 2021. She was also acknowledged as a Woman on the Rise by Women in Retail Leadership and earned a coveted spot on the Diversity Woman Magazine’s Elite 100 List in 2024, solidifying her status as one of America’s highest-ranking Black women executives. Actively engaged in community, business, and philanthropy, LaTisha is a proud member of various organizations, contributing to Women in Retail Leadership, the Society for Human Resources Managers, National Minority Supplier Development Council, National Black MBA Association, Top Ladies of Distinction (North Dallas Suburbia), and the Junior League of Collin County. Currently serving on the board of directors for the Southwestern Region Affiliate of the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, LaTisha continues to shape the landscape of DE&I. LaTisha holds a bachelor's degree in finance and marketing and a master's degree in business administration, both earned at Southeastern Louisiana University.
COMPETENCIES & SKILLS Strategic Planning
Corporate Communications
Program Development and Evaluation
Advocacy & Public Relations
Fundraising and Resource Management
Tech Savviness:
Networking and Relationship Building
Adaptability
Training & Development
Market Research & Data Analytics
Cultural Competence
Financial Management
Team Building and Management
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Leading Cross Functional Teams
Negotiation
Cross-cultural Collaboration
Conflict Resolution
LaTisha S. Brandon's dedication to Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. spans two decades, marked by a rich tapestry of leadership roles and impactful initiatives. Since joining on April 26, 2003, LaTisha's commitment has evolved, positioning her as a dynamic force within the Sisterhood. Her leadership canvas extends across local, regional, and international realms, where LaTisha showcased exceptional versatility. Noteworthy roles include serving as the Southwestern Region Epistoleus (20182020), Southwestern Region Elections Chair (20142016), Lambda Upsilon Sigma Alumnae Chapter Basileus (2016-2020), and co-chair of the Marketing & Communications Committee of the Going for Sigma Gold Strategic Planning Committee (2014-2016). In her current role as the Centennial Southwestern Region Undergraduate Chapter Coordinator (20202024), LaTisha led the charge in shaping the direction of undergraduate chapters by focusing on mentorship and empowerment. Quarterly ONE Sigma undergraduate and advisor-focused events, monthly SWR Regional Undergraduate townhalls, and the Legacy Builders Mentoring Program reflect her commitment to holistic development. LaTisha's dedication to operational excellence is evident in the establishment of the Show the L.O.V.E. Annual Incentive Program. This initiative, rewarding undergraduate chapters for excellence in operations, academics, membership growth, and community impact, has not only fueled local programming but also awarded more than $17,500 since 2020 through the Region’s Undergraduate Development Fund (UDF). Through the strategic utilization of the UDF, more than $75,000 in registration grants were also awarded to undergraduate members, ensuring widespread representation at Boules, Regional Conferences, and the AFLV Conference. Under her leadership, undergraduate membership soared by an impressive 76% since 2020, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic. This achievement stands as a testament to her ability to inspire growth and foster a profound sense of belonging. The reactivation of five chapters and the chartering of two new collegiate chapters underscore the positive transformation she has brought to the Sisterhood. LaTisha's influence extends to the international stage. As a member of the International Board of Directors, she represented the Southwestern Region at board meetings, conferences, networking opportunities, and global charters. Additionally, she has co-facilitated TORCH Trainings for undergraduates and advisors and conducted workshops for campus professionals. In addition to her extensive leadership roles, LaTisha Brandon served as the executive sponsor and project manager of the One Sigma Financial Project, a groundbreaking collaboration with Sigma Gamma Rho’s International Corporate Headquarters launched in 2023. This visionary initiative aimed to streamline the Region’s financial processes and enhance member experience through Shared Invoicing, Single Payment, Automatic $$$ Dispersion, and Enhanced Reporting. This forwardthinking project reflects LaTisha's commitment to innovation and her dedication to improving the operational and financial aspects of the Sisterhood. As LaTisha seeks to embark on the role of the 23rd Syntaktes of the SUPER Southwestern Region, her journey stands as a testament to leadership, mentorship, and the unwavering commitment to the Sisterhood. LaTisha Brandon remains steadfast in investing in the Southwestern Region and the global sisterhood, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence and growth.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT EXECUTIVE SPONSOR OF THE ONE SIGMA FINANCIAL PROJECT (2023- present) o Shared Invoicing - A member who lives in the Southwest Region would receive ONE invoice that has their International AND Regional Dues o Single Payment - A member who lives in the Southwest Region would be able to make ONE Credit Card Payment online for the ENTIRE Invoice o Automatic $$$ Dispersion - All monies collected from the unified invoice that belongs to the Southwest Region would automatically be dispersed to the Regions Banking Account. o Enhanced Reporting – Better visibility to membership demographics, improved chapter credentialing and more robust data on TORCH
PROJECT LEAD - CAREER READINESS AND ADVANCE INITIATIVES (2022-present) o
Works closely with our third-party partner Professional Diversity Network (PDN) to successfully execute several impactful projects. o SGRhoJobs.org – a dedicated platform for members and affiliates to explore career opportunities. (2022) o Virtual career fairs – leveraging technology to connect professionals and employers (2022 and 2023) o In-Person Career Fair at the 2024 Boule – Connecting job seekers and employers and offering valuable services including resume workshops, professional headshots, and mock interviews (present)
INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL MEDIA COMMITTEE (2019 – 2020) 57th BIENNIAL BOULE (2018) o
Secured sponsorship from JCPenney & Sephora for fashion show
GOING FOR SIGMA GOLD STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE (2014 – 2016) o o o
Co-Chair Marketing & Communications Sub-Committee Co-Authored the Sorority’s Brand Standards Creator of the Sigma Style Guide
PRHOTÉGÉ UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING PROGRAM (2015 – 2016) o o o o
Undergraduate Mentoring Program coordinator Paired undergraduates with alumnae mentors Provided guidance to mentors to guide discussion topics Provided guidance on how to maximize the mentor/mentee relationship
UNDERGRADUATE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT (2015) o Secured in-kind sponsorship from JCPenney and partnered with Human Resources to have booth during career expo o Facilitated “From Internship to Leadership” Workshop
REGIONAL EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT SOUTHWESTERN REGION UNDERGRADUATE CHAPTER COORDINATOR (2020 – 2024) Achievements during leadership tenure: o Increased engagement across the undergraduate spectrum o Hosted quarterly ONE SIGMA undergraduate and advisor focused events o Hosted monthly SWR Regional Undergraduate townhalls o Provided career readiness and sorority leadership development through the Legacy Builders Mentoring Program for undergraduates & advisors o Awarded more than $75,000 in registration grants to undergraduate members, ensuring broad representation at Boules, Regional Conferences, and the AFLV Conference. o Improved Operational Excellence for Undergraduate Chapters o Awarded $17,500 in grants to chapters through the SWR Show the L.O.V.E. Incentive Program o Host biannual undergraduate focused officer training o Quarterly think tanks by campus type with advisors and campus partners o Provide development opportunities for undergraduates & Advisors o Increased undergraduate membership by 76%
SOUTHWESTERN REGION EPISTOLEUS (2018 – 2020) Achievements during leadership tenure: o Launch of new regional website and curated resources and templates for chapters to use o Formalized process to submit media contacts, request public relations & marketing support, submit stories for the Aurora, SWR newsletter and social media o 25% growth in page followers (Facebook) o Triple digit increases in average monthly impressions (Facebook: from < 100 to 600; X: from 450 to 2,000) 75th SOUTHWESTERN REGIONAL CONFERENCE (2016) o Secured in-kind sponsorship from JCPenney Salons & Sephora SOUTHWESTERN REGION ELECTIONS CHAIR (2014 – 2016)
LOCAL EXPERIENCE & ENGAGEMENT NU PI SIMGA (2022-present) o Charter Member o Technology Chair (2022 – present) ALPHA PI SIMGA (2020-2022) o Technology Chair (2020 – 2022) o Membership Committee (2020 – 2022) LAMBDA UPSILON SIGMA (2013 – 2020) o Basileus (2016 – 2020) o 1st Anti-Basileus (2014 – 2016) o Rhoer Advisor (2014) Achievements during leadership tenure: o Exponential year over year membership growth since 2013; now Centennial o 2019 Served on UTD’s Fraternity & Sorority Life Strategic Task force o 2018 Chartered the Tau Pi Chapter at the University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) o 2018-2019 SWR Alumnae Chapter of the Year o 2018-2019 SWR Membership Development Award o 2018-2019 SWR Rhoer Club of the Year o 2016-2018 National Mary Lou Allison Little Loving Cup Award o 2016-2018 National Youth Projects Award o 2016-2018 National Membership Retention Award o 2015-2016 SWR Alumnae Chapter of the Year o 2015-2016 SWR Membership Development Award ALPHA OMICRON SIGMA (2007 – 2010) o 2nd Anti-Basileus & Advisor of Eta Alpha (2008 – 2010) o Tamiochus (2007 – 2008) MU SIGMA (2004 – 2006) PI IOTA (2003 – 2004) – Charter Member