Phi Delta Theta Champions Men’s Mental Health and Wellness at First-Ever Brotherhood Summit
Phi Delta Theta was proud to take part as a lead sponsor in the inaugural Brotherhood Summit on February 28, 2026, hosted by the North American Interfraternity Conference in partnership with the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values at AFLV West. This sponsorship is a part of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and Foundation’s commitment to the Foundation of Fraternal Excellence’s Campaign, Elevating Fraternities.
Phi Delta Theta’s Investment
The Brotherhood Summit marked the first event of its kind, bringing together fraternity leaders, students, and experts to address the mental health and wellness challenges facing college men and to highlight the role fraternities can play in fostering connection, support, and belonging on campus. The event hosted more than 500 undergraduate fraternity men, alumni, and professionals representing various organizations who gathered to learn from experts and connect with peers. Additional sessions throughout the Summit explored critical issues impacting college men, including addiction, sports gambling, and strategies for helping young men build meaningful connections.
This aligns with Phi Delta Theta’s vision to be the premier fraternal leadership society and our belief that the fraternity experience is a force for good, advocating for the fraternity experience across higher-education, and highlight the lifelong value of fraternity membership.
Phi Delta Theta Brotherhood Summit and AFLV West attendees.
Phi Delta Theta was well represented throughout the event, by Phi Delta Theta Foundation Trustees Mark Craig, Dr. Jigar Kidakia, George Wood, Education Commissioner David Kovavovich (sp) , Education Commission Member Allan Williams, Province Presidents Ivan Ayro and Rayvin Hill, and other local alumni were in attendance. A number of Phi Delta Theta leaders who also serve their community as Interfraternity Conference leaders attending AFLV West were also present. Student leader Colin Shea, Cal Poly ’26, served as a roundtable panelist and did an outstanding job representing Phi Delta Theta’s undergraduate membership.
He joined a distinguished panel that included:
- Richard Reeves, Founding President, American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM)
- Sen. Ruben Gallego, US Senator (AZ)
- Zac Clark, Founder and CEO of Release Recovery, mental health advocate, and host of The Zac Clark Show podcast
- Vansh Malik, student representative of Sigma Chi
Watch the recording of the roundtable discussion on Youtube
General Council President Nat Love (left), U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego (middle), and General Council Reporter Mike Ogg (right) at the inaugural Brotherhood Summit.
Phi Delta Theta leadership was also present, including Executive Vice President & CEO Sean Wagner, General Council President Nat Love, and General Council Reporter Mike Ogg.
During the event, Phi Delta Theta Executive Vice President & CEO Sean Wagner spoke about the long-standing role fraternities have played in developing young men and why gatherings like the Brotherhood Summit are important for the future of the fraternity experience.
“As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, it’s worth remembering that fraternities have been part of the American story almost from the very beginning. The first fraternity was founded in 1776—the same year as our country. And for nearly 250 years, fraternities have brought together like-minded men around shared values, shared accountability, and shared ambition. We create belonging. We create brotherhood. And when we are at our best, we create leaders,” Wagner shared.
Keynote Speaker – Richard Reeves
Richard Reeves presenting his Keynote at the 2026 Brotherhood Summit in Anaheim, California.
Phi Delta Theta also sponsored keynote speaker Richard Reeves, a nationally recognized author and policy expert. This investment reflects the Fraternity’s commitment to advancing proactive conversations around mental health within fraternity communities.
Reeves is the founding president of the American Institute for Boys and Men, which he launched in 2023 to address the challenges facing boys and men through evidence-based research.
His 2022 book, Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It, was described as a “landmark” by The New York Times and was named a Book of the Year by The Economist and The New Yorker. Reeves is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, where he previously directed the Future of the Middle-Class Initiative and the Center on Children and Families.
His current research focuses on issues including the impact of fatherhood and gender gaps in education.
Why it Matters
Fraternities foster positive mental health and serve as a success accelerator for students. At the same time, many college men continue to struggle with loneliness, stress, and other challenges. More than ever, young men need opportunities for connection, support, and belonging.
During the event, Executive Vice President & CEO Sean Wagner shared, “In every era—through war and peace, industrial revolutions and digital revolutions—fraternities have had to respond to the real challenges facing young men. And today is no different. And that’s why today and the inaugural Brotherhood Summit matters. When leaders from across the interfraternal community come together like this, we are not just preserving tradition—we are actively shaping the solution.”
By investing in this event, Phi Delta Theta is helping ensure fraternities have the opportunity to learn directly from industry experts, connect with peers from other organizations, and develop strategies to strengthen brotherhood at the chapter level. The sponsorship reflects Phi Delta Theta’s continued commitment to the well-being of college men and reinforces the Fraternity’s leadership role in shaping a healthier, more impactful fraternity experience.
