Gamma Phi Beta - University of Oklahoma

PSI SOONERS 2 F rom serving as a student council officer in high school to mentoring girls as a Girl Scout troop leader after college, Diana Rogers Jaeger '00 is all about making an impact and improving lives. When she started at OU, joining a sorority was a natural fit that allowed Diana to make friends and get involved on campus. She fell in love with Gamma Phi Beta during recruitment because the women were smart, down- to-earth, and well-rounded. "They took school seriously but also loved sports, campus involvement, parties, and community service," Diana shared. Through her Gamma Phi sisters, she learned the inside scoop about getting involved in campus activities, and the community service Psi Chapter emphasized has remained an important and fulfilling aspect of her adult life. Her sorority experience coupled with her campus involvement ultimately prepared her for success in her professional and philanthropic endeavors after college. "Two of my favorite groups I joined were Campus Activities Council (CAC) and Crimson Club," she stated. "I was a public relations major and volunteering for multiple CAC committees. Serving as CAC Publicity Week chairwoman provided me skills that are helpful in my career, such as public speaking, event planning, marketing, and managing volunteers." Her senior year at OU, Diana had a public relations internship at Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency in Oklahoma City. After graduation, she was offered a position in their communications department, where she worked for 12 years, which is almost unheard of for a Millennial. "I loved my work family, our mission of providing affordable housing, and I was given many opportunities there to grow personally and professionally," she said. Diana left to start her own company, Love To Appreciate Consulting, where she specializes in using organizational culture and employee engagement to improve employee job satisfaction, productivity, and retention. She's also a professional speaker, a performance coach, and she trains organizations on how to build a culture of appreciation in her 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace workshops. The most rewarding aspect of her career as a business owner is receiving testimonials from clients who let her know how she has improved their lives. "Fifteen years ago, I received some great advice: instead of volunteering at multiple organizations, pick one or two that fit with my goals or interests, the impact I wanted to have in the world, and where I could see myself volunteering long- term," she shared. "I did some research and self-reflection, and I picked Girl Scouts. I love the outdoors, and I attribute my strong self-confidence to my outdoor adventures as a young girl in the Colorado mountains." She became a Girl Scout troop leader to mentor girls, introduce them to camping and hiking, and grow their self-confidence. A few years later, she was asked to serve on the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Board of Directors; she is currently board president for the second year in a row. Additionally, she helped with the fundraising efforts to raise $12.5 million for the new Girls Scouts urban camp, Camp Trivera. For more information on this STEM center in Oklahoma City, which opened in 2020 and is the first Girl Scouts camp of its kind, visit camptrivera.org. "I got involved with Girl Scouts because of outdoor programming for girls, and now I helped build a brand-new camp that will provide life-changing experiences for thousands of girls for decades to come!" she said. "Girls thrive in Girl Scouts, where they become go-getters, innovators, risk-takers, and leaders. My heart soars every time I see a Girl Scout using what she learned in Girl Scouts to make the world a better place." Through both Gamma Phi Beta and Girl Scouts, Diana has realized the importance of sisterhood. "We need women in our lives who support us, believe in us, and who will open doors for us," she shared. "I am lucky to have found sisterhood both in Gamma Phi Beta and Girl Scouts." Diana's Psi Chapter experience also shaped her as a person because it's where she met her husband, Kevin, during Sooner Scandals her freshman year. They dated for nine years and have been married for 10; they have two sons, Aiden (8) and Axl (4). Diana is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts and spends a lot of time tent camping, hiking, and geocaching with her family in Oklahoma City. You can connect with Diana at diana@lovetoappreciate.com. Diana Rogers Jaeger '00 Shares Commitment to Giving Back and Improving Lives Q&A with Diana How have you stayed in touch with your sisters over the years? "My Gamma Phi roommate, Lauren Barghols Hanna '00, and I have stayed close over the years, and I served on the Girl Scouts Western Oklahoma Board of Directors with Lindsay Rayburn McIntyre '99 before she moved to Chicago. I also attended our 100th anniversary celebration where I loved seeing so many of my sisters face-to-face instead of on Facebook!" What are you most proud of in your career and/or personal life? "I'm most proud that I have achieved my own definition of a 'balanced life.' The different buckets of my life are full and fulfilling. One of those buckets is my health. I enjoy running outdoors, and I've run in some marathons. I feel very proud that my personal record finishing time of 3 hours and 32 minutes qualified for the Boston Marathon!" What are the top three things you learned from Girl Scouts? 1. Make the world a better place. 2. It takes a village. 3. Thin Mints are the best!

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