Phi Delta Theta Kicks off 2025 With Annual Leadership Conference
The 2025 McKenzie Presidents Leadership Conference brought together 190 dynamic student leaders from across the country, all embarking on the journey of serving as their chapter’s president. With a focus on resilience and leadership under pressure, this year’s conference provided attendees with tools, insights, and inspiration to thrive in one of the Fraternity’s most demanding roles.
Building Resilience
Leading a chapter comes with its share of challenges, and the conference aimed to prepare presidents for the mental and emotional demands of their position. Through interactive workshops and small group discussions, attendees explored strategies for maintaining balance, fostering personal well-being, and guiding their chapters with confidence. Sessions emphasized practical approaches to managing stress and overcoming obstacles, ensuring that each president left with actionable takeaways to apply back home.
Insightful Keynote Speakers
The keynote presentations were a highlight of the conference, addressing topics such as ethical leadership, managing behaviors within the chapter, and translating the skills learned as president into future career success.
Opening Session – J. David Almacy, Widener ’92
General Council President J. David Almacy opened up the conference with words of wisdom on how students could make the most of the McKenzie Family Presidents Leadership Conference experience and best prepare themselves for their new role as chapter presidents.
Launching from President to Your Career – Aaron Hollis, Valparaiso
The Phi Delta Theta experience is designed to build men into better leaders. Aaron taught students how to use the skills they’ll gain during their presidencies to set them apart as they enter the workforce after college. Aaron Hollis has worked in higher education for over a decade. He began his career in residence life at Valparaiso University, then transitioned to career services roles at Kettering University and Indiana University Indianapolis. He now serves as the director of education for Phi Delta Theta General Headquarters.
To Do What Ought to Be Done: CEO-Level Responsibility – Marc Mores, Iowa State ’95
Marc’s session tackled the complex challenges presidents may face when enforcing the standards outlined in The Code and Phi Delta Theta’s Risk Management policies. He emphasized the importance of maintaining accountability and integrity while navigating difficult decisions, highlighting the potential consequences of turning a blind eye. Drawing on his expertise as the executive vice president of Favor & Company and leader of the Fraternal Health & Safety Initiative, Marc provided actionable strategies to position chapters for success while safeguarding the well-being of brothers and the fraternity as a whole.
Turning Tragedy Into Progress – Rae Ann and Stephen Gruver
This session shared personal stories of how hazing impacted the Gruver family, education about hazing and prevention, and a call to action for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Rae Ann and Stephen Gruver describe their son Max as a “gentle giant.” He was a sports fanatic and wrote for a sports website even before starting as a journalism major at Louisiana State University. Just weeks into his first semester, Max died after being forced to consume 190-proof alcohol in a fraternity hazing activity. The Gruvers have been fighting hazing ever since, including founding the Max Gruver Foundation and worked to pass new hazing laws in Louisiana called The Max Gruver Act. It was signed into law May 2018, just eight months after Max died. The Gruvers received the 2019 Hank Nuwer Anti-Hazing Award for commitment to end hazing.
Let’s Grow Phi Delt – RJ Taylor, CEO of Phired Up and TechniPhi
Leadership lessons learned within Phi Delta Theta have translated into successful careers for many Phis. The Phi Delt Leadership Forum was developed to give successful leaders the opportunity to pass along their words of wisdom to the undergraduates in hopes that they can use them to exemplify a lifetime of leadership. RJ Taylor is a fraternity professional and deeply believes in the power of people. He serves as CEO of Phired Up and TechniPhi. Since 2012, RJ has helped start more than thirty fraternity chapters across the country, guided numerous campus communities and inter/national organizations through marketing strategy work, and trained thousands of student leaders in the art and science of dynamic recruitment. He has previously worked as the director of growth for Alpha Tau Omega National Fraternity (ATO).
Be a Leader You Would Follow – Corey Ciocchetti, Colorado State
Corey’s most popular keynote on ethics encourages audiences to chase the truly important things in life such as a solid character, strong personal relationships and a sense of contentment. These “real rabbits” are compared and contrasted to more fleeting worldly success such as excessive wealth, popularity, and prestige. Audience members left with a better sense of what it takes to develop integrity, set priorities, gain a big-picture perspective, and chase an authentic life.
Empowering Future Leaders
A standout feature of the McKenzie Presidents Leadership Conference is its forward-thinking approach, equipping attendees with skills that extend beyond their fraternity experience. From effective communication to crisis management, the conference emphasized the real-world applications of leadership training, preparing presidents to excel in their future endeavors.
Feedback and Looking Ahead
The feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with an impressive 98.2% of participants recommending the conference for future presidents. This resounding endorsement underscores the value of the McKenzie Presidents Leadership Conference as an essential part of the leadership journey within Phi Delta Theta.
As we look toward the next conference, we’re inspired by the dedication and potential of this year’s attendees. Their commitment to excellence and growth will undoubtedly shape the future of their chapters and the broader fraternity community. Here’s to another year of empowering our presidents to lead with resilience and purpose!
