Alpha Chi Omega - Purdue University

Lyre Letter 2 Leading with Ambition, Passion and Heart Former National President Angela Costley Harris '86 Shares Transformative ΑΧΩ Experience S hortly after joining Alpha Chi Omega, Angela Costley Harris '86 ran for multiple leadership positions in Alpha Beta Chapter. She wasn't elected to any of them, and that experience transformed her. Not being elected to a leadership role immediately taught her about being a team player, being resilient and understanding better what she wanted—important life skills that prepared her for professional leadership endeavors, including serving as national president of Alpha Chi Omega. "In every interview since, I've been prepared to say specifically why I was pursuing that particular position. I've also known enough not to pursue some opportunities because I took the time to learn whether they were a good fit for me," Angela said. "I owe all of that to my Alpha Chi Omega experience at Purdue." While she went to Purdue to study engineering, Angela admitted she wasn't passionate about the field. Ruminating with her Alpha Beta sisters that she was never going to graduate on time if she didn't settle on a major, one of her sisters said, "Just major in what you like best. It will all work out." The next day, Angela chose psychology because the classes were all about people—how they think, belong to one another and co-exist in the world. "That was good sisterly advice that I've adapted into one of my keynotes," she added. Angela graduated on time ("A miracle!") with a B.A. in psychology and attended law school at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Law school taught her to approach problems and people from many angles. After graduating, she worked as a scheduler and personal assistant to a high-powered founder of a lobbying firm, then as director of government affairs for a trade association representing frozen food manufacturers. "That was a really interesting time in the D.C. area. Politics wasn't as divisive as it is today, and I worked with people across the political spectrum," she said. "I also had two really strong women mentors as bosses in D.C. that impacted my future work with women leaders." When Angela and her husband, Alan, moved away from D.C. to be closer to family, she worked at a small, woman-owned construction firm as its general counsel and vice president. There, Angela became a leader who wore many hats, handling everything from strategic planning to customer complaints. "That is when I solidified my love of inspiring and working closely with women leaders," she shared. "I also volunteered for Alpha Chi Omega, because I wanted to help provide a great collegiate chapter experience for young women. Many alumnae had done that for me, and I wanted to pay it forward." She volunteered with multiple chapters, including a stint as a remote financial advisor for Alpha Beta. Her volunteer work dovetailed well with her professional life, as she was becoming an expert in organizational dynamics, strategic thinking and leadership in nonprofit organizations and closely held businesses, especially those led by women. Angela joined Alpha Chi Omega's National Council in 2008 and was elected as national president in 2016; her four-year term ended this year. Although Alpha Chi Omega Convention was canceled this summer due to COVID-19, she was able to share her parting remarks during Lyre Lights, their virtual awards and transition night. "When I approached the podium for the first time as national president, I knew deep in my soul that Alpha Chi Omega was on the cusp of great things," she remarked. "I also knew there were big challenges ahead. I shared that I felt those exact same emotions on my last day in the role." During Lyre Lights in July, Angela spoke about promising the organization the best of herself, asking for the best of its members in return and reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic has demanded that of all Alpha Chi Omega women. She also shared her profound belief that Alpha Chi Omega's mission, vision, brand and incoming leadership are well suited to these challenging times, and that the sisterhood is in good hands. "Our ability to plan proactively and to adapt quickly in order to support our members during the pandemic is the direct result of the structures, programming and progress we achieved as an organization over the last four years," she stated. "I am proud of who we are as a community of real, strong women." Angela also is extraordinarily proud of the board and staff partnership she cultivated and led in her tenure. "Our culture of teamwork created hundreds of successes documented on individual post-it notes that hang on a bulletin board in my office. I call them WOWs, or wins on the wall," she shared. "If you ever think you aren't making a difference, just start documenting small wins on post-it notes. You will start to see incremental success all around you." For the past 16 years, Angela has owned and operated a consulting firm that she founded on a whim after an organization asked her to develop a strategic plan as a volunteer. Her current crop of services includes executive and board chair coaching, strategic planning, governance training, project leadership, and inspirational keynotes. "A lot of people ask about my post-NP life, which I nicknamed #ACHnext on Instagram," she said. "Alpha Chi Omega has consumed a huge part of my brain since 2008, and I am really enjoying exploring what's next!" Angela and her husband live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and they have two "20-something" sons, who are also creative and inspiring leaders. She's in the midst of rebranding her consulting business and building a website at angelacostleyharris.com. You can connect with her on Instagram and Twitter at angelaharrisaxo, Angela Costley Harris on Facebook or via email at angelacostleyharris@gmail.com. What is something you learned from ΑΧΩ? Shine brightly, be authentic and don't hold back.

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