National President
Karen Mace - Xi Gamma of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Karen Mace has been a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority for 46 years and has remained an active member for 39 years. She is a member of Xi Gamma Chapter of Cuyahoga Falls, OH. She has held the offices of Treasurer, Vice President and President of her chapter for numerous terms. In 2012, Karen served as Gamma Province Chairman.
Karen served on the 2016-2017 National Legislation Committee, a member of the National Nominating Committee in 2017-2018, Chairman of the National Nominating Committee in 2018-2019, National Treasurer in 2019-2020, 3rd Member Board of Trustees in 2020-2021, Secretary of the Board of Trustees in 2021-2022, Chairman of the Board of Trustees in 2022-2023, National Vice President in 2023–2024 and is currently serving as National President for 2024-2025 year.
Karen has been married to her husband Mike for 14 years.
She has two sons Kris and Kurtis (his wife Caitlyn). Karen and Mike enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren Brooklyn, Addison, Colin, Hudson and Maddox.
Karen retired from Firestone Polymers LLC in 2020 after 44 years of service in the accounting dept.
Vice President
Patty Jo Nierste - Eta Kappa
Patty Jo Nierste has been a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority 9 years and has remained active 9 years. She is a member of Eta Kappa Chapter, Brookville, IN. serving as Historian, Publicity, Vice-President and President. She also is a Past Province Chairman of Theta Province, 2019.
Her 30 year career was in Texas education in Risk Management & Safety. She is a member of Texas Association of School Boards, Texas Association of School Business Officials, Public Risk Management Association, School Safety Association and Texas Retired Teachers Association.
At National Conventions Patty Jo has served as Page, Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms, National Nominating Chairman, 3rd Member, Board of Trustees 2021-2022, Secretary, Board of Trustees, 2022-2023, Chairman, Board of Trustees, 2023-2024 and currently National Vice President.
She was retired 9 years, went back to work at the Brookville Indiana Police Department as an Administrative Assistant to continue her goal of helping others. She enjoys time with her daughter Traeka and granddaughter Summerlan Raine.
National Secretary
Junior Cruea
Junior has been an active member of Kappa Xi Chapter, Brookville OH, for 24 years. She has served as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Sgt at Arms in her Chapter. She served 3 years on National Board of Trustees as Chairman, Secretary and 3rd Member. She was on the National Philanthropy Committee for the 3 years commitment. She has helped at the National Convention as Page, Teller, Sgt at Arms and part of the model Initiation team. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Brookville Community Theatre and has been active in the arts for 30 years. She and Larry have been together almost 50 years, legally 45! She retired from the USPS after 34 years and has loved every day that God has given her. They have 2 daughters and sons-in-law, 6 grandchildren and 3 great grandsons. I’m looking forward to this opportunity to serve on the National Council.
Treasurer
Kathy Haralson - Zeta Upsilon
Kathy has been an active member of DTT, Zeta Upsilon in Seneca, IL since 2000. Within her chapter, she has held various offices, including Publicity Chairperson, Treasurer, and currently President.
Nationally, Kathy has served on the Legislation Committee, as National Secretary, and is now in her second term as National Treasurer. She is passionate about finding creative ways to raise funds and support others through Delta Theta Tau.
Kathy also chaired the Beautification, Betterment & Tourism committee in Seneca from 2019 to 2021 and currently serves as the Micro Pantry Coordinator since its inception in 2018. Beyond her sorority involvement, Kathy has contributed to her community as the Emergency Management Coordinator for the Village of Seneca (2002-2005 & 2008-2020) and held a seat on the Village of Seneca Planning Commission.
Professionally, she has been the Office Manager at Riverside Chiropractic Center for over 11 years. Kathy and her wife, Laura, have been together for 22 years and have four children: Samantha (Rob), Victoria, Nicholas (Shawna), and Daniel (Emily). Their four grandchildren—Justin, Eleanor, Lettie, and Charlotte—hold a special place in their hearts. Kathy enjoys traveling, gardening, weightlifting, and volunteering. In 2021, she received the Small-Town Civic Volunteer Award as a National Honoree for her contributions to the Village of Seneca.
Secretary of Philanthropy
Paula Neidlinger - Zeta Zeta
Paula Neidlinger is the newly elected National Secretary of Philanthropy. She has been a member of Delta Theta Tau for 38 years and has remained active during this time.
She has held numerous offices of her local chapter and chaired multiple chapter projects throughout the years as a member of Zeta Zeta, Plymouth, Indiana.
Nationally, Paula served as GRIT Editor and most recently, National Secretary during the 2023-2024 year. Regionally, she served as Province Chairman of Beta Province in 2018. Paula is a published author, with three books to her credit. Most recently, August 2020.
Paula serves on the National Board of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System as the Social Media Co-Director. She is currently an account representative for Giant FM Radio.
Paula is a retired elementary principal and middle school English and Television/Radio and Journalism teacher. She has been married for 38 years to Mike.
They have two children, Alyson and Nicholas (Brenna) and one adorable four-year-old granddaughter, Nora. Paula loves to travel, garden, cook, read, and play tennis, pickleball, and golf.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Kris Trapp - Tau
Kris Trapp has been a member of Delta Theta Tau Sorority, Tau Chapter, Valparaiso, Indiana for 20 years. She has served as Chapter President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Pledge Supervisor and has chaired several projects and committees.
Kris is currently serving as Chairman, Board of Trustees. Past National Offices include Third Member, Board of Trustees, National Secretary, National Treasurer and Nominating Committee Chairman. Kris is a retired Commercial Banker from JP Morgan Chase.
She has been married to Dave for 43 years and has 2 sons and 6 grandchildren. She enjoys travel, reading, golf, outdoor activities, working on Delta projects and spending time with family, friends, and Delta Sisters.
Kris’s favorite things about sorority life are philanthropy and sisterhood.
Secretary of the Board of Trustees
Evonne Albert - Xi Phi
Evonne has been an active member of the Xi Phi Chapter in Marissa, IL for 30 years. She has served in nearly every office and committee in her chapter.
After serving as Epsilon Province Chairman for two years, she served as Epsilon PEG before she served on the National Nominating Committee. She was elected as National Secretary, National Secretary of Philanthropy and National Treasurer before serving as the 3rd Member Board of Trustees.
Her and her husband Mark have been married for 35 years and have two children Sadie (and husband Andrew) and Wyatt (and wife Brooklin). She has two grandchildren Waylon & Meritt and a third on the way.
Additionally, she is a high school special education teacher and is always encouraging her students to volunteer in her community.
She enjoys volunteering in her spare time, but her favorite activity is babysitting Waylon & Meritt. Delta Theta Tau has helped her find friends in many corners of the country and to create a lifetime of memories.
3rd Member of the Board of Trustees
Dana Anderson - Gamma Pi
Dana Anderson is the newly elected 3rd Member Board of Trustees. Dana has been an active member of Gamma Pi Chapter in New Paris, OH for 45 years. She has served her chapter as Pledge Supervisor, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Vice President and President. She has also served as Gamma Province Chairman (1989-1990, 2019-2020, and 2020-2021). Dana has also been Gamma Province Expansion and Growth Chairman (1991-1995).
She is a Certified Professional Medical coder. Dana is a third generation Delt and proud of it. Her mother and two sisters are active members in Gamma Pi.
She was married to Dave for 33 years until his passing in December. She has a son, Gerrit and daughter-in-law, Kinsey. With her first grandchild (grandson) on the way in November.
Dana enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and attending her great nieces and nephews sporting events. She is very excited and looking forward to serving on the National Board of Trustees.
Executive Secretary
Beth Wallis-Lambda Theta
Beth Wallis is the current National Executive Secretary, Honorary Member. She is a member of Lambda Theta Chapter from Martinsville, IN where she has been a member for 38 years.
Outside of Delta Theta Tau, she is retired but now job shares as secretary at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and works for Golden Ticket Productions – sometimes backstage and sometimes in murder mysteries.
Beth’s favorite parts about Delta Theta Tau are the philanthropy and fellowship.
Editor of GRIT
Doris Sanders-Zeta Lambda
Doris Sanders is the current Editor of GRIT. She is a member of Zeta Lambda Chapter, Shelbyville, Indiana where she has been an active member for 56 years.
She has retired from her Clinical Analyst, Information Technology position of Columbus Regional Hospital, Columbus, Indiana. Her Retirement cake said, “Under new management: For more details, see her grandkids!” So true!! They are her favorite people to spend time with along with her husband, son, and daughter.
She enjoys being Editor of GRIT, photography, writing and travel. Her favorite part about sorority is philanthropy and she loves serving her chapter as Recording Secretary.
She loves all her Delta Sisters, going to National and Province Conventions and working on projects with her chapter.
Director of Expansion & Growth
Mandy Allen
Mandy Allen brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her role as Director of Expansion and Growth. A devoted mother of four beautiful children—Kendal (16), Carter (14), KoraLeigh (10), Crosby (7)—and one bonus child, Matthew (7), from her boyfriend David, Mandy's life is deeply rooted in family and community.
Professionally, Mandy serves as an Elementary School Counselor at Van Duyn Elementary School in Clinton, IN, where she plays a pivotal role in guiding young minds. Beyond her school duties, she is actively engaged in community service and leadership. Mandy passionately sponsors the Junior Optimist Service Club, volunteers at nursing homes with her Therapy Dog Pablo, coaches both a run club and a baseball team, and chairs the town's Little & Tiny Miss Pageant.
Mandy's commitment to leadership extends to her involvement at the national level, where she currently serves her fourth year as a National Officer. Previously, she has held esteemed positions including National Secretary, National Secretary of Philanthropy, roles on the Nominating Committee, and Province Chairman. Her extensive experience also includes serving in all chapter officer positions, reflecting her dedication to fostering growth and excellence within her organization.
With her blend of professional expertise, community engagement, and leadership roles, Mandy Allen exemplifies a strong advocate for education, community service, and organizational growth.
Webmaster
Michelle Westhues-Omicron Pi
Michelle Westhues is the current Webmaster. She is a third-generation member of the Omicron Pi Chapter in Bethel Missouri.
She lives in Moberly, Missouri where she is the Tourism Specialist with the Moberly Area Chamber of Commerce and has a part-time photography business. You may notice a name change from her as she married her husband in October of 2022.
In her free time, she enjoys being a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church and the Moberly Area Jaycees.