Board of Directors
Katie Herschede, President
Gamma Tau, Northern Kentucky University
Phi Sigma Sigma Experience: Foundation Vice President of Operations; Foundation Secretary; Foundation Director of Programming; Transplant Games Coordinator; Think Tank Chairman; Achieve Taskforce Chairman and Facilitator; Extension Team; Programming Facilitator; International Standards Board Representative; Alumnae Association Liaison
Professional Experience: Katie has a Master's of Education degree from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs. She is currently the Executive Assistant to the President/Secretary to the Board of Regents at Northern Kentucky University. Katie is active in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati community and serves on the Board of Kids Voting Northern Kentucky, United Way's Strategy Group #1 - Children are Prepared for Kindergarten, and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's Night in Frankfort Committee. Nationally, Katie is on the Professional Development Committee for the Association of Governing Board's Board Professionals Leadership Group.
Marianne Cohen, Vice President
Delta Beta, University of Rochester
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Chapter Key Advisor, Zeta Delta, Bentley University; National Convention Chairman; Division Undergraduate President; Area Recruitment Advisor
Professional experience: Marianne is Vice President at Mannersmith Etiquette Consulting, an internationally known etiquette firm (which was founded by a chapter sister), where she specializes in Manners for Minors seminars. Marianne is also the Event Planner for the USS Constitution Museum, a private non-profit Museum dedicated to telling USS CONSTITUTION's history. In addition to her sorority and professional involvement, Marianne remains active in numerous professional, cultural and community organizations including being a Girl Scout Troop Leader.
Kim Hildred, Secretary, Past Grand Archon
Gamma Epsilon, Waynesburg University
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Grand Archon; Grand Vice Archon; Director of Collegians; Director of Extension; Division Collegiate President; Director of Alumnae; Housing Corporation President; NPC Alternate Delegate
Professional experience: Kim serves the United States House of Representatives as Chief Social Security Advisor, Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Social Security.
Judith L. Slater, Treasurer
Gamma Nu, Rutgers University
Phi Sigma Sigma Experience: Director of Finance, Housing Committee Member, Regional Financial Advisor, Chapter Key Advisor and served Foundation as Golf Outing Co-Chair.
Professional Experience: Judy is the Vice President - Controller at Fox News Network, LLC.
Pamela Downey, Director, Past Grand Archon
Theta, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Grand Archon; Grand Vice Archon; Director of Administration; Director of Extension; Housing Chairman; NPC Alternate Delegate; Division Undergraduate President; Housing Corporation President; Foundation Vice President; Foundation Director of Marketing; Foundation Membership Committee
Professional experience: Pam is the Senior Vice President-Operations for Sodexo, a food and facilities management company.
Gretchen Ehle, Director
Kappa, The George Washington University
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Chapter Excellence Expert Task Force Chair; Chapter Excellence Constitution Reviewer; Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter President, Vice President and Scholarship Chair; National Housing Corporation member and Local Housing Corporation President; Alumnae Committee and Chapter Key Advisor.
Professional experience: Gretchen Ehle is currently the Director of Division Operations within the GlobalConnect division at the Meridian International Center. Gretchen holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, a Master’s degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and has completed her coursework toward a Ph.D. in Public Policy from George Mason. She has lived in South America, Africa, and Asia, most recently spending time as a visiting scholar at the University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui. Gretchen remains active in her community through her board membership within the Junior League of Northern Virginia and an avid volunteer with the National Kidney Foundation of the National Capital Area.
Tracy Koch, Director
Epsilon Alpha, Illinois State University
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Director of Housing, National Housing Corporation President, Housing Supervisor, Investment committee member, Alumnae Area Coordinator, Extension Committee Member, Chapter Consultant
Professional experience: Tracy Koch is currently a Territory Manager for Safeco Insurance Company, her territories being St Louis and Springfield, MO. Tracy has spent the last 5 years of her insurance career working for Safeco/ Liberty Mutual Agency Markets Group, prior to joining the carrier side of insurance, Tracy worked in an independent agents office for 12 years. Tracy holds a B.S from Illinois State University. Tracy and her husband live in St Louis, MO raising their 3 children. Tracy is an active member in Holy Infant Parish, coaches her daughter’s volleyball team and is the team leader for Ridge Meadow Elementary School’s Relay for Life Team.
Elizabeth M. Rodriguez, Director, Counsel
Beta Theta, University of Miami
Phi Sigma Sigma experience: Director of Collegians; Division Collegiate President; Regional Collegiate Director; Chapter Key Advisor
Professional experience: Elizabeth is a partner in the Miami office of the national labor and employment law firm,Ford & Harrison LLP. In addition to her sorority and professional involvement, Liz remains active in numerous professional, cultural and community organizations.
Lucy Ruiz, Director
Zeta Eta, Carleton University
Phi Sigma Sigma experience:
Professional experience: Lucy is currently a Senior Project Manager for Smartech Consulting, a provider of middle-ware software and services in the Not for Profit Sector. Lucy has a Bachelor of Arts degree from in Political Science and Management from Carleton University. Most recently, Lucy was obtained the designation of Professional Project Manager (PMP). Lucy is an avid runner and hockey player. She lives in Toronto, with her husband Dan and amazing dog, Charlie. Lucy is also active in several local and community organizations in the local area.
Cathy Zech, GOLD Development Director
Theta Upsilon, University of LaVerne
czech@phisigmasigma.org
Phi Sigma Sigma Experience: As a collegian, Cathy served as the Membership Recruitment Chair and Archon of her chapter. Now as an alumna, Cathy was selected as a member of the Sonoma colonization team and volunteered at their installation/initiation ceremony. She is also currently serving as the Archon for the San Bernardino County Alumnae Chapter in California.
Prior to working for the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation, Cathy spent several years working in the medical field as an optician.
Michelle Soucy, Executive Director
Theta Omicron, University of Toledo
msoucy@phisigmasigma.org
Phi Sigma Sigma Experience: Advisory Board Member, Chapter Key Advisor, Housing Corporation Member, Member of the Northwest Ohio and Metro Detroit Alumnae Chapters, Regional Programming Chair and also served the Foundation on the Fundraising Committee, Board of Directors and as Board Development Chair and Vice President.
Professional Experience: Michelle has worked for over 14 years in senior management positions for Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies before coming to the Foundation.