In this episode of Business Edge, special guests Eileen Howell and Mike Dickson, the immediate past chair and present chair of the Board of Directors of Alpha Kappa Psi respectively, discuss the history of the fraternity and where it’s headed in the next 50 years.
Eileen Howell [00:00:00] These last two years really showed us what is possible. I never would have thought that anybody, the universities, our chapters could evolve the way they did over the pandemic. And actually many of them thrived. So we can't even begin to imagine the technology 50 years from now and what we're going to be able to do.
Finn Lambouris [00:00:24] You're listening to Business Edge, the podcast for professionals looking to excel in the workforce. In each episode, our guests take a deep dive into their personal and professional experiences to give you an edge in the marketplace. This podcast is brought to you by the Commonwealth Leadership Alliance.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:00:39] Thank you for joining us for another episode of the Business Edge podcast. We are live from Miami, the 61st Alpha Kappa Psi Convention. This podcast is brought to you by Synergos AMC. We're very grateful for the support. With us today, we have Eileen Howell, the outgoing chair of the board of directors, and Mike Dickson, incoming chair of the board of directors. We're so thrilled to have you here today. And also with me is my co-host, Nicole Klemp. Welcome.
Nicole Klemp [00:01:05] Hi, Chrissy. Excited to be here in Miami with you.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:01:08] I know! It's a little bit humid, but we'll survive.
Nicole Klemp [00:01:10] Yes. Yes. I stepped outside earlier just to get some fresh air and it hit me pretty hard with the humidity.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:01:18] How are you guys doing today?
Mike Dickson [00:01:19] Good, good. Definitely had a good walk this morning with some folks. It's been a great Convention so far and getting to meet a lot of new folks, a lot of new members. Really excited, so.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:01:30] Awesome.
Eileen Howell [00:01:30] Yeah, no, this is great. I mean, it's been so long since we've been able to all get together like this. And I was helping out at the registration yesterday and got a chance to meet so many of the students. And I've asked them, you know, "is this your first Convention?" And they'd say, "yes." And I said, "Oh, okay." I said, "There's one requirement." I said, "it's a very high bar. You must have fun."
Chrissy Vasquez [00:01:59] I love that. I was in the elevator with some students. It was their first time and I said, "Well, this is my 13th Convention, which means I'm older than I feel." So anyways. Well, thanks for joining us. We'll go ahead and jump in.
Nicole Klemp [00:02:12] Yeah. So I'll tell our listeners a little bit about our guests today. So as Chrissy mentioned, Eileen is the outgoing chair of the board of directors of Alpha Kappa Psi, and she's a retired senior financial executive. She has extensive experience in financial tax and operational management in the software and oilfield services industries. Eileen is well versed in developing planning and implementing strategies to increase shareholder value, including a leadership role in a private equity company acquisition, with a strong reputation for developing strategic partnerships with functional leaders, she effectively bridges the gap between operational decisions and financial targets. And Mike is the current vice chair and incoming chair of the board of directors for Alpha Kappa Psi and a senior business operations specialist at Boeing. He's an effective change agent focused on delivering transformational programs and projects. Mike is known for his skills in project management, lean problem solving and process improvement, as well as his strong ability to develop and lead cross-functional and cross organizational teams to achieve their goals and objectives. We are so excited to have you both here with us.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:03:13] Thank you. Such impressive leaders here. So, Eileen, as you're leaving the chair, you've been involved with the organization for a number of years. Tell us a little bit about how you've seen the organization change over the years.
Eileen Howell [00:03:25] Oh, my. I've been with this organization for over 40 years and where we were back then versus where we are now, it's just, it's transformational. And especially in the last, probably decade, I see the strategies that, you know, the fraternity is trying to bring about and really address what's happening today in the world and in the business world. And I'm just so excited to have been a part of this. I can't wait to see more because I know Mike's going to just keep on going.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:04:05] Are you excited to follow in Eileen's?
Mike Dickson [00:04:07] It is a little overwhelming at points. I won't lie. I keep telling Eileen, I'm like, "You're not going too far, by the way."
Chrissy Vasquez [00:04:14] "I still have your cell phone number and I will use it."
Mike Dickson [00:04:17] "And I know where you live now."
Chrissy Vasquez [00:04:19] Oh, boy.
Mike Dickson [00:04:20] Yeah.
Nicole Klemp [00:04:21] So let me ask you both. How have you seen the fraternity change and evolve over these last few years, especially just these last couple of years with all the changes we've had?
Mike Dickson [00:04:30] So we have a lot ahead of us and a lot facing us, more so than I think in a lot of times where the environment of what we are living in as a fraternity and as a professional fraternity is being affected by so many different schools, environments, as well as just understanding the dynamics of the cultures that are happening as well. And so, with schools and universities, and so a lot of it is it's kind of crazy to think about where we need to go and where we are going to go, actually. So it's kind of mind boggling, but it's exciting and there's a lot that we do have to remember, a lot of traditions, a lot of artifacts as we continue to move forward that make us Alpha Kappa Psi.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:05:20] I think that's a great point. It's that vantage point that you only get at that level to really understand what the external threats are for the organization. So I think it's a great point. So much is changing and we have to make sure we're evolving.
Eileen Howell [00:05:33] Yeah, no, I really agree with Mike. And I mean, just the fact that we were able to get into the 21st century with our technology. I mean, we wouldn't be doing what we're doing right now, right? And the focus that we really have on education and, you know, training and certifications. I'm so excited about that because that really sets our members apart from other people in--I call it the business world, but everything's a business, even a family, right? So when I say business world, I mean everything. What we're providing our members, whether they're a student or they're an alumni. I mean, it's just... It's fantastic. I'm at a loss for words.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:06:22] So, Mike, tell us a little bit about what you're most excited about coming in as chair.
Mike Dickson [00:06:26] Getting ourselves into a good roadmap. I know we're kind of going into the next planning cycle for our strategic direction, right? We're kind of mid into that right now, which is really cool to kind of see. That's, you know, where we get to really kind of develop out that long term. And I'm not talking about like, hey, the next five years this is hey, what are we see ourselves in the next 50, right? And where are we going to go with that? And so seeing the different pieces coming together for education wise, programing, you know, continuing down that experience of what it really means to be a brother and really applying that. That's what I get really excited to see is those outcomes from all the hard work that's been going on in that side.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:07:12] Do you have any examples of 50 years from now what AKPsi could look like based on some of the discussions that have been had?
Mike Dickson [00:07:17] Yeah. So when we met back in March, we had a very interesting discussion about, okay, so what would it look like if we had virtual classrooms or virtual programming? You know, do we look at bringing in somebody from Meta or, you know, as somebody that's outside that can help provide some insights and coaching on what that would look like or how that can apply. And so that's an example, right, of being like, hey, you know, let's kind of rethink this a little bit more. I mean, technology's been great and it's also kind of been a hindrance at points for like brotherhood and really what it truly means. But for programing, context, things along those lines, I think those are great opportunities to pursue, but those are things that our way out there that, you know, we can't apply like right now, but.
Eileen Howell [00:08:06] No, but I do think that these last two years really showed us what is possible.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:08:13] Yeah.
Eileen Howell [00:08:14] I mean, I never would have thought that anybody, the universities, our chapters could evolve the way they did over the pandemic. And actually, I mean, many of them thrived. So we can't even begin to imagine the technology 50 years from now and what we're going to be able to do.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:08:35] It'll be like, beam me to Chapter Congress, please.
Mike Dickson [00:08:37] Yeah.
Nicole Klemp [00:08:38] That'd be great.
Eileen Howell [00:08:39] We'll have an avatar of you in it.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:08:42] You'll show up in this, like, hologram image.
Nicole Klemp [00:08:45] To piggyback on Chrissy's question, Eileen, what are you most proud of from your time as chair?
Eileen Howell [00:08:51] Oh, boy.
Nicole Klemp [00:08:52] Or multiple things, as chair!
Eileen Howell [00:08:56] I think being able to help guide the strategic plan and seeing its success. As Mike alluded to, or we're moving into a new strategic plan. So it's kind of nice, you know, kind of we're done. And also, again, kind of harping on the education, but I'm so excited about that and the materials that we as a board approved that just go for it. There's some excellent programs out there. I mean, I'm so impressed with them. So I think those and just having a great board, telling you, you know, can't do it without them.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:09:38] Well, Eileen, I think it is absolutely worth mentioning how you helped guide the leadership through one of the major milestone times of AKPsi's history, right? So like World War II, our membership was down to so few chapters and completely had to make some very big decisions. Same thing in COVID, had to make some very big decisions. And I know how much time you put into it. I know how much you agonized over it. You definitely put a lot of thought in making sure that these decisions represented not only the current Brotherhood, but what are we doing to make sure we're here next year, right? It could have been a completely different outcome. So thank you for your leadership for that. And for Mike. You were on the board and on the executive committee, so thank you for supporting that as well.
Mike Dickson [00:10:21] Yeah, thank you.
Eileen Howell [00:10:22] Thank you.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:10:22] Yeah.
Nicole Klemp [00:10:24] You've been listening to Business Edge, brought to you by Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity and sponsored by Synergos Association Management Company. Now let's get back to the conversation.
Nicole Klemp [00:10:37] Yeah. Speaking of leadership, so a lot of our listeners obviously are students and young professionals. So, you know, given both of your years of experience and your experience with the fraternity, what kind of leadership tips would you give for our young professionals coming in? And especially given, you know, this day and age and how things have changed and how can they really thrive as business leaders today?
Mike Dickson [00:10:59] So for me, it's been one of those ones where AKPsi, like literally, I was very shy, not really outgoing, as Eileen's laughing over here.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:11:11] She about spit her coffee all over the table, she's laughing so hard.
Mike Dickson [00:11:14] So it really started out when I was pledging into my chapter and I took the risk of saying, Hey, you know what? I want to be my pledge class president, right? It started from there. I didn't win, unfortunately, but I found myself in situations where if you open up, you listen, you become an advocate for people, you earn that trust. And I think a lot of leadership comes around trust. And then you can have those honest discussions with people. And if you don't have that trust, you know, people aren't, one, going to listen to you and they're not going to really take to heart what you're requesting or delegating at points. Unfortunately, you have to delegate too, right? But you do have to make those decisions. And so it really comes actually back down to risk as well, of saying take those chances, those opportunities and run with it. And I know you probably have heard this a thousand times, right? Is you know, AKPsi is a great place to fail.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:12:13] Yeah. Living laboratory.
Mike Dickson [00:12:14] Yeah. And the thing is, is like, I see it at work in a lot of ways of, like, I have a ton of parallels right now between work and AKPsi. Like, tremendously with like, throughout my time of my career, as I've risen through the ranks at work, I found myself in very similar situations where strategy, like, right now, like, my world at Boeing is a ton of strategy. And so understanding where I can apply vice versa, change management, all of those things between those two roles are parallel, but I really credit AKPsi on allowing me to say, Hey, I'm going to take that opportunity to take that risk of leadership and to grow out.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:12:56] That's awesome. And then I have a quick question. You met your wife in AKPsi, did you not? Or did you guys know each other outside?
Mike Dickson [00:13:01] I did. Yeah, I did. That's a really weird conversation. Well, actually, like so she went to a different chapter.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:13:09] Oh, okay.
Mike Dickson [00:13:11] Yeah. So she went to WSU and I went to Central Washington University. And so up in the Pacific Northwest, we have a real good bond between all the chapters where we go visit--That would be one other thing I'd say to any of the chapter brothers is go visit other chapters and meet new friends and create havoc that way and have fun.
Nicole Klemp [00:13:33] I also met my husband in AKPsi, and he was the president when I joined and I joke that I knew he was going places, so I latched on to him.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:13:41] Wait, you were a pledge and he was the president?
Nicole Klemp [00:13:43] Uh huh. Yep. Yep. So.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:13:46] Wow, that's a good wagon to hitch yourself to.
Nicole Klemp [00:13:50] So, Eileen, same question for you. What would your top leadership tips be for our young professionals?
Eileen Howell [00:13:55] Yeah, well, I mean, I echo Mike, obviously trust and I also echo back to a previous podcast that I did, and that is respect, mutual respect. You need to respect the people that you work with and they need to respect you. You have to earn their respect. And once that happens, you end up with a collaboration. And the things you can do together with your associates goes far beyond whatever you could do alone. And reach out. I told you earlier that, you know, for anybody that was here at their first Convention that, you know, they were required to have fun. But I also told them that they needed to talk to strangers, walk up to a stranger and start talking to them. It's hard. It's very, very hard, especially if you're the new person, right? But how are you going to get to know and earn the respect of your associates if you don't just walk up and start talking? And you never know. You never know who that person is. When you're standing over here in the Convention area, you just might meet your next best friend.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:15:07] Or your spouse.
Mike Dickson [00:15:08] Or your spouse.
Nicole Klemp [00:15:09] Or your boss.
Mike Dickson [00:15:09] Significant others.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:15:10] Or your boss! Yeah. She's like, "let's talk about professional things. Your boss."
Nicole Klemp [00:15:14] Well, I was going to say, Chrissy and I have talked to so many guests that have gotten their jobs through brothers or they've applied to just a random company. And the hiring manager happened to be a brother. And you just never know who you're going to encounter.
Eileen Howell [00:15:28] Exactly.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:15:29] And you never know. It may not be now. It could be in the future.
Eileen Howell [00:15:32] Oh, yeah. I mean, I was telling one student, I said, "you know, you guys love taking pictures." I said, "you come back to the next Convention, you're going to see that person. You're going to go, Oh, Jack, remember this picture?"
Chrissy Vasquez [00:15:45] Yup. So speaking of Conventions past, do you remember when we launched PEP? I've got PEP. Yes, I do. I've got PEP. How about you? So, yeah, talk about Conventions past. That was in D.C. we launched the pledge education program called PEP, which has since changed. So to Mike's point, things are always changing in the organization and evolving.
Eileen Howell [00:16:06] Absolutely. So yesterday, M.C. Moore, one of our alumni, was wearing a PEP t-shirt.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:16:13] Oh, shut up! What color was it?
Eileen Howell [00:16:15] It was orange.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:16:16] So we had different colors.
Eileen Howell [00:16:18] One for each day!
Chrissy Vasquez [00:16:19] All the official volunteers got a primary color. And then Eileen and I had, like, turquoise and pinks that we stood out so people can ask us questions about the new program. Well, I was gonna say so we have a signature question here on the business edge. And Eileen, you just brought up that you were a previous guest. I do not have the episode number. I tried to look it up, but just look for an earlier episode with Eileen Howell and she answered that question. But, Nicole, you want to ask Mike?
Nicole Klemp [00:16:43] Sure. So, Mike, tell us about a time when your personal values were challenged. What happened and how did you handle it?
Mike Dickson [00:16:51] Yeah. So I think, you know, one of the things that I really have found AKPsi to really help me out with, actually, is bystander behavior, actually. And so one of the big things for me that I've found is it's really come through at work quite a few times too. So really with if it comes down to, you know, the type of work, the ethics at work or challenges and the different realms that you come across or experience sometimes, you know, there are certain circumstances that will come up that you need to make a good business decision. But part of it's just not stepping back and letting things happen either. You know, I had an example where, you know, I had two individuals come to me to tell me about a situation that they were experiencing with another individual at work. And so with that, I really had to elevate that up because it went against my fortitude, who I am, and especially since learning or, you know, understanding bystander behavior quite a bit more and not just sitting back. And so that's been a big part with my leadership at work specifically really coming into play is really getting involved with that, taking charge, not stepping back, not letting things happen or get out of hand. Because sometimes if you don't act, either, one, behaviors continue to move forward or they progress to get worse. And so that was something to me that was really a profound piece.
Nicole Klemp [00:18:37] I think that's all we have. And we know you have a very busy week, so we won't keep you too much longer.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:18:43] Yeah. Thank you so much for taking time and sitting down with us. It's fascinating to hear your approach of things and we appreciate everything you do for the organization. I guess that would be one last question. Why did you start volunteering initially all those years ago?
Eileen Howell [00:18:56] Oh, wow. Okay. Houston, 1981, first Convention.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:19:02] I was two.
Eileen Howell [00:19:05] And you met all these people and you just--you were energized. And I've been volunteering ever since.
Nicole Klemp [00:19:13] That's amazing.
Mike Dickson [00:19:14] For me, it was I've always wanted to be a part of this organization because, like, it did give back to me pretty quickly. And it's been one of those ones where it's like, I look back now and it's like, Holy crap, it's actually been 15 years and volunteering, right? Like, you know, understanding of coming in and pledging in 2002 and this is, like, my 20th year. And then becoming the chair at 20 years is, it's crazy to me to think.
Eileen Howell [00:19:41] Well deserved.
Mike Dickson [00:19:41] Thank you. I appreciate it. But it's always giving back and being a part of the organization that really kind of helped me get sorted out as a professional in a lot of ways, so.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:19:53] And it's been wonderful to see you both grow in your leadership over the years. It's been fun to bear witness to that. So thank you for everything.
Mike Dickson [00:20:00] Yeah, thank you.
Eileen Howell [00:20:01] Thank you very much.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:20:02] Yeah.
Nicole Klemp [00:20:02] Thank you guys for being here. Enjoy the rest of Convention.
Mike Dickson [00:20:05] All right. You, too.
Chrissy Vasquez [00:20:06] Thank you, guys.
Nicole Klemp [00:20:07] Thank you.
Finn Lambouris [00:20:10] Thanks for listening to Business Edge. If you have questions, comments or topic suggestions for us, email, businessedge@akpsi.org.