Convention 2024 Keynotes & Sessions

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

DORIS KEARNS GOODWIN, COLBY

PRESIDENTIAL HISTORIAN, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING AUTHOR AND TRI DELTA WOMAN OF ACHIEVEMENT

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Colby, is a world-renowned Presidential historian, public speaker, Pulitzer Prize-winning, New York Times #1 best-selling author and a Tri Delta Woman of Achievement. Since 2020, she has served as executive producer for the History Channel’s miniseries events “Washington,” “Abraham Lincoln” and “Theodore Roosevelt,” with more to come!

Her seventh book, “Leadership in Turbulent Times,” was published in September 2018 to critical acclaim and became an instant New York Times bestseller. A culmination of Doris’s five-decade career of studying the American presidents focusing on Presidents Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt and Lyndon Baines Johnson, the book provides an accessible and essential road map for aspiring and established leaders in every field, and for all of us in our everyday lives.

Doris’s career as a presidential historian and author was inspired when as a 24-year-old graduate student at Harvard she was selected to join the White House Fellows, one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. Doris worked with Johnson in the White House and later assisted him in the writing of his memoirs.

She then wrote “Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream,” which became a national bestseller and achieved critical acclaim. It was re-released in 2019 with a new foreword highlighting LBJ’s accomplishments in domestic affairs that have stood the test of time.

Doris was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for “No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II.” “The Fitzgeralds and the Kennedys” was adapted into an award-winning five-part television miniseries. Her memoir “Wait Till Next Year” is the heartwarming story of growing up loving her family and baseball. Her sixth book, “The Bully Pulpit: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and the Golden Age of Journalism,” won the Carnegie Medal and is being developed into a film. Doris’s “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” served as the basis for Steven Spielberg’s hit film “Lincoln” and was awarded the prestigious Lincoln Prize, the inaugural Book Prize for American History, and the Lincoln Leadership Prize.

Well known for her appearances and commentary on television, Doris is frequently seen in documentaries including Ken Burns’s “The History of Baseball” and “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History,” on news and cable networks, and on shows including “Meet the Press” and “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” She played herself as a teacher on “The Simpsons” and a historian on “American Horror Story.”

Doris graduated magna cum laude from Colby College. She earned a doctorate degree in government from Harvard University, where she taught government, including a course on the American Presidency. Among her many honors and awards, Doris was awarded the Charles Frankel Prize, the Sarah Josepha Hale Medal, the New England Book Award, as well as the Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Doris recently founded Pastimes Productions with Beth Laski to develop and produce film, television and digital projects.

Doris lives in Boston, Mass. She was the first woman to enter the Boston Red Sox locker room in 1979, and is a devoted fan of the World Series-winning team.

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CHANDA BELL & CHRISTA PITTS, WEST GEORGIA

Co-Founders of The Lumistella Company, home of The Elf on the Shelf Brand

Imagine being applauded for “revolutionizing Christmas.” This is precisely what the twin sisters and trailblazing entrepreneurs Christa Pitts and Chanda Bell, both West Georgia, have been celebrated for.
The sisters are founders and co-CEOs of The Lumistella Company, home to the author-published phenomenon, The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition, and its whimsical world of additional stories.
In 2005, with deeply rooted family values, they united with their mother to bring their cherished family tradition to the world. Refusing to accept rejection from established publishers, they risked it all and formed their own publishing company. Their tenacity paid off, and today their assortment of books and products are consistent bestsellers recognized by The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly.

Chanda and Christa’s complementary skill set is one of the leading factors for the brand’s global
reach and impact.
Chanda Bell is lovingly referred to as “Santa’s Chief Storyteller.” Through her pioneering creativity she has brought Santa’s world to life through a Netflix partnership, a traveling holiday musical, and a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®.
Considered a scion in brand building, growth and operations, under Christa Pitts’ strategic leadership, more than 28 million The Elf on the Shelf brand Scout Elves, Elf Pets and Elf Mates have been adopted in 24 countries across five continents, solidifying global expansion.
Today, The Lumistella Company remains family operated; and, its hero brand, The Elf on the Shelf, has secured status as a “Top 5 Holiday Character” alongside legendary favorites Rudolph and Santa Claus*!

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BREAKOUT SESSION SPEAKERS

ASHLEY BASKERVILLE, CAL STATE/LONG BEACH

Ashley is working to strengthen the minds of some of the most elite performers in the world. With a master’s degree in Sport and Performance Psychology, she helps both military and athletes reach their full potential. She now works as a Cognitive Performance Specialist, training fighter pilots and remote pilots in the United States Air Force. Ashley is also the founder of A.B. Mentality, where she works with athletes to reach their full potential and master the mental side of sports.

She is honored to be a member of Tri Delta’s 33 under 33 2023 class.

Ashley is excited to start her 3rd term as a Trustee on Tri Delta’s Foundation Board. She loves being able to help her sisters and engage with alumnae worldwide. Ashley has focused on finding ways to keep young alumnae engaged with Tri Delta after graduation and on their journey through adulthood.

JERI SEDLAR, MICHIGAN STATE

Jeri Sedlar is a globally recognized author, speaker, and lecturer on the evolving topic of retirement. She is the co-author of the highly acclaimed book, DON’T RETIRE, REWIRE! 5 Steps To Fulfilling Work That Fuels Your Passion, Suits Your Personality and Fills Your Pocket 3E.

A graduate of Michigan State University and a member of Tri Delta sorority she now resides in Sarasota, Florida with her husband after a fabulous 40 + year life in New York City.

JODY JEAN DREYER, KENTUCKY

Jody Carbiener Dreyer, is an author, podcaster, speaker, advisor and former senior executive at The Walt Disney Company. Jody joined Disney starting on the Walt Disney World College Program, and spent over 30 years with the Company, served in 22 different positions, including leading worldwide synergy, heading Disney’s global outreach initiatives, various marketing, synergy, guest relations and community affairs positions in the theme parks, motion picture unit, and at the worldwide corporate offices. Among her many projects, she had a leadership role as part of the grand opening team of Disneyland Paris. She was honored to serve as the Walt Disney World Ambassador – the face of the company throughout the world. Her passion during her tenure at The Walt Disney Company was looking for ways to use the Disney magic to bring smiles to children and families around the world. She is the author of “Beyond the Castle, A Guide to Discovering Your Happily Ever After,” (Harper Collins/Zondervan).

Jody has also served in various Board and advising capacities for organizations including: Chick fil-a, Young Life, and CenterState Bank. To learn more, her podcast can be found at TrailMixpod.com.

KAYLEEN SCHAEFER

Kayleen Schaefer is a journalist and author of Text Me When You Get Home and But You’re Still So Young. She also wrote the bestselling Kindle Single memoir Fade Out.
Her work has appeared in The New York Times, Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, the Wall Street Journal, Vogue, and many other publications. She lives in New York City.
https://www.kayleenschaefer.com

WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT PANEL

Brooke Wurst, Pennsylvania

Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne, Pennsylvania

Francés Jones, Knox

BOARD SERVICE PANEL

Lacey Horn, Southern Methodist

Maureen Kempston Darkes, Toronto

Sandra Beach Lin, Toledo

MILESTONE CELEBRATIONS

On Thursday during Convention’s Opening Session, we’ll celebrate Membership Milestone Ceremonies!

Pearl Milestone Ceremony celebrating 10 years of membership (initiated 2014)
Silver Milestone Ceremonies celebrating 25 years of membership (initiated 1999)
Golden Milestone Ceremony celebrating 50 years of membership (initiated 1974)

Attendees can sign up to participate in a milestone ceremony during Convention registration. Milestone jewelry can be purchased in advance HERE or onsite in Tri Delta Central. Those eligible for their Golden Milestone can reach out to alumnae@trideltaeo.org.

EVENING PARTIES

THURSDAY: Join us for a tropical-themed opening party featuring our “Flamingle for St. Jude” service project. We’ll be putting together 6,000 welcome kits for families visiting Tri Delta Place. DJ Andre is bringing the entertainment along with some fun activations. Not ready for the fun to end? Head out to the Oasis Lawn for a late night hangout by the pool. Grab a cocktail and an ice cream bar while catching up with Tri Delta friends.

FRIDAY: Convention 2024 is Where Sisterhood Shines and Friday night is Where Sisterhood SPARKLES! Don your sequins, your shimmer and your shine and join us for an evening of fun featuring more tunes from DJ Andre, shimmering photo ops, a glitter face paint artist and so much more.

SATURDAY: After you’ve spent the afternoon at the pool and grabbed a bite to eat, head down to the ballroom for Saturday is for Sisterhood in your comfy clothes. Think girl’s night in the chapter house. We’ll have a movie in the background, board games, a friendship bracelet making station, plus a chance to meet Tri Delta’ 2024-2026 leaders. We’ll head outside as a group to watch the JW Grande Lakes’s GLO fireworks should around 9:00 p.m.