Gamma Phi Beta - University of Missouri

A lpha Delta Chapter strives to provide a supportive atmosphere for every woman who joins the sisterhood. Through genuine friendships and positive spirits, the chapter house does its duty as a home away from home. During her crucial young adult years, Maria Lemakis '10 benefited from this atmosphere as Gamma Phi Beta developed her into an independent woman who now helps others find their paths in life. "I continued to experience positive, genuine friendships and sisterhood throughout my time at Gamma Phi as well as opportunities for personal, social, academic, charitable, and professional growth," Maria said. She loved her time at 808 Richmond, especially junior year with the executive team on the third floor. She made lasting memories with her Alpha Delta sisters at Mizzou, including attending Romeo and Diosa de Luna, Grilled Cheese with the G-Phi Bs, and the Crescent Classic. One of Maria's greatest opportunities through Alpha Delta was serving as PR vice president. She oversaw aspects of event planning, philanthropy, and alumnae relations while managing social media platforms. "I loved being involved in these important facets of external relations," she said. Through her role, Maria had a direct impact on the chapter's ability to maintain a healthy, vibrant environment for future sisters. After graduating from the School of Journalism, Maria put her public relations skills to use for PR agencies. She managed media relations, event planning, and strategic communications for brand accounts in several industries, and this eventually led to a position in corporate PR for Build-A-Bear Workshop's headquarters. After overseeing plans for brand initiatives, corporate announcements, and product launches, Maria transitioned her skills to a new role for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Louis, where she managed external communications. While Maria played important roles for brands and organizations, she recognized her passion for a path not yet explored. "I realized that my favorite part of each job I'd held had been the personal connections I made, and the situations where I was able to support coworkers or clients in a deep, meaningful way—beyond the professional realm. I came across life coaching, and from the moment I read the first few chapters of a book about the fundamentals of coaching, I knew that this path was meant for me." After certification through a program accredited by the International Coaching Federation, Maria Lemakis, Life Coach LLC was open for business. Working with adults and college students to clarify their vision and goals and to find healthy balance and purpose in their lives, Maria is pleased to support her clients in achieving authentic happiness and fulfillment. Her assistance has the potential to help young adults through challenging college or post- college years when they face immense pressure to decide a path early and stick to it. "As a coach, I am trained to listen deeply and ask powerful questions to help you understand your true needs, desires, and goals in various areas of life and to support you in becoming the person you feel called to be." While the support of a sisterhood is beneficial, Maria's services can help Alpha Delta sisters get clarity on the gap between where they are and where they want to be, the challenges getting in their way, and the steps to overcome those challenges to start living their best lives. "I'd love the opportunity to work with any interested Alpha Delta sisters," Maria said. "Coaching is most effective when I meet virtually or in person with clients on a regular basis—i.e., every two to three weeks or once a month. Before we begin working together, I always offer a free consultation." Maria continues to engage in strategic communications/PR consulting work part- time with a St. Louis-based consulting firm. While her public relations experience opened the door to various career opportunities, she is proud to now pair her communications work with coaching to help clients become the best version of themselves. As an alumna, Maria makes sure to keep in touch with the lifelong friends she made through Alpha Delta. She stays connected to alumnae while also spending lots of time with family, including her younger sister, Angela, who also participated in Greek life at Mizzou. You can connect with Maria at maria.lemakis@outlook.com and visit her website at marialemakis.com. 2 ALPHA DELTA HILITES Making an Impact How Career in PR Led Maria Lemakis '10 to Become a Life Coach I feel honored to partner with people who are striving to become the best version of themselves. WHY GAMMA PHI? "I immediately felt at home. I connected with the girls in GPhi because they reminded me of my own family. Our sisterhood is loving, outgoing, and welcoming to whoever walks through the door. –Ella Fosnough '22 "In a time of constant change, I knew I could count on these girls and this chapter to remain the same and make me feel at home. I was able to see the way the girls loved and genuinely cared for one another, and I knew I wanted to be a part of something like that. –Mia Spellman '22 "My mom was a GPhi—and she loved every part of it! She found her lifelong friends, and I really wanted to join a sorority where I could find that too! I had a hard time adjusting to being at college, but my Big and all my new friends made it much easier for me! –Elly Clardy '22 "Everyone was encouraging me to join, and even though it was extremely out of my comfort zone, I knew I was in good hands. I wanted to be part of the family more than anything, and I'm so glad that I made the decision to do so! –Ainsley Sanders '22

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