AOII Alumna Awarded Distinguished Honor at Annual Marketing and Communications Conference

Each spring, communications and marketing professionals from fraternities and sororities, affiliates, and associate partners across North America are invited to attend the Fraternity Communications Association (FCA) annual conference and awards banquet. Hundreds of award entries from more than 50 member organizations are submitted, but only a small percentage are honored for their outstanding efforts in a variety of writing, design, and communication categories. More than just a recognition opportunity, however, the Association’s awards program is also a valuable teaching tool for all who attend.

One of the most elite accolades celebrated at this event is the Marilyn Simpson Ford Distinguished Service Award, which honors one member who has diligently worked to advance FCA’s vision and purpose. Named after the former editor of Pi Beta Phi’s magazine, the Arrow, who devoted more than 20 years of her career to the organization, the Marilyn Simpson Ford Distinguished Service Award honors individual members who have worked diligently to advance the Association’s vision and purpose as Marilyn did throughout her life and career until her death in 2012.

We are thrilled to share that this year’s recipient is not only an alumna member of AOII, but also a former Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) and Professional Headquarters Staff member. Currently she serves as the Chief Communications Officer for the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and the Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE). Congratulations, Hillary Brewer, Sigma Gamma (Appalachian State U).

Like Marilyn, Hillary has devoted her 15-year career to serving Greek organizations and advancing fraternal missions for excellence across college campus in North America. This journey began at home with Alpha Omicron Pi.

After graduating from Appalachian State in 2012 and serving the Sigma Gamma Chapter as Treasurer and Chapter President, Hillary hit the road as a traveling Educational Leadership Consultant (ELC) wherein she recruited, organized, and trained group of collegiate students and volunteers to function independently of staff oversight; assessed overall chapter operation, and facilitated on-site workshops for collegiate students and volunteers. This experience positioned her to succeed in the next chapter of her career, subsequently also at AOII, where she served as the Assistant Director of New Chapter Development, Graphic Designer/Webmaster, and Creative Director over the course of eight years. Following her time at AOII, she remained in the vein of fraternity and sorority life, ultimately landing at NIC and FFE.

“Hillary demonstrates that leadership is not about recognition; it’s about service,” shared Sarah Shepherd, Creative Director at Beta Theta Pi and FCA President. “She leads with humility, professionalism and a genuine desire to help others succeed. For newcomers, she is a reminder that relationships matter, that there is value in being involved and that giving back to the profession strengthens the entire community. She has always been approachable, willing to answer questions, share advice and make introductions. For those early in their careers, Hillary’s example shows that you can build a successful career while remaining collaborative, generous and committed to lifting others up along the way. Those are qualities that leave a legacy far beyond any single job or title.”

We had the chance to catch up with Hillary after this year’s FCA conference and hear firsthand what this award has meant to her. Here’s what she shared:

AOII: What motivated you to build your career in the Greek fraternity/sorority space?
HB: When I graduated from Appalachian State, I had no idea I’d end up working in fraternity and sorority industry for nearly 15 years. I was fortunate to serve as an Educational Leadership Consultant from 2012-13, and then everything kind of fell into place. Reflecting on my career to date, one word that constantly comes to mind is ‘relationships.’ I’ve built relationships across numerous fraternal organizations and higher education associations over the years, and it’s the people who motivate me to keep going.

What role has AOII played in your career development?
AOII has helped me branch out of my comfort zone, have the hard conversation, and lift someone up when they need it most. Building a career is about more than just going through the motions of the role you’re in at the time, and while I love a task list, it’s often the soft skills that truly elevate someone’s work. Since 2008, AOII has continued to help me build the soft skills to advance my career and feel confident in taking the next step.

What advice would you offer younger fraternity and sorority professionals who are just beginning their careers?
I’d tell any new professional this regardless of the industry — start the conversation. Tell someone you’d like to get to know them and make the effort to initiate a coffee or lunch date. And don’t forget to talk to them about personal and professional interests. It may be uncomfortable at first, but the payoff will be worth it.

What does winning this award mean to you?
Joining the ranks of just 38 other dedicated FCA volunteers is humbling. And while the work can sometimes be challenging (we’re at 100% volunteer-run association!), it always fills my cup personally and professionally. Volunteering for FCA has brought new friends into my life and continued to show me that leadership takes all shapes and requires all types of people and skills.

How have your AOII sisters cheered you on?
There isn’t enough time for me to answer this question. Even after our official AOII travels ended 13 years ago, my Cycle 3 ELC sisters are the best hype girls I could ask for. Whether it’s a personal or professional achievement or challenge, they’re always ready to cheer me or offer advice. This group has been through so much together, and nothing can break our bond to keep supporting one another. And I can’t forget my Sigma Gamma Chapter sisters who I have called on many times — special shoutout to Haley Cahill-Teubert and Emily Oswalt. We may not get to see each other in real life often, but they’ve always believed in me and encouraged me.

Who has served as a mentor or career development partner throughout your professional development journey?
There are so many! There are my AOII sisters: Mariellen Sasseen, Alpha Delta (U of Alabama); Kaya Miller, Gamma Theta (U of South Florida); Abby Mason, Rho Omicron (Middle Tennessee State U); Lindsay Stoltz, Alpha Chi (Western Kentucky U); and more. And then there are other fraternal peers, too, [like] Ashley VanDewark (Alpha Gamma Delta), Desiree Paulhamus Jackson (Tri Sigma), Andrea Benek (Zeta Tau Alpha), Sarah Shepherd, and more. These women have guided me to be a better leader; helped me be proud of my accomplishments; held me accountable; and [taught me how] to slow down to take it all in. They’re a text, call, or Teams message away and have either lived the experience or are ready to walk alongside me in whatever it is I need.

What can we expect from you and NIC/FFE moving forward?
The work at the NIC/FFE is ongoing to support fraternal professionals and organizations in their missions, and to enhance the fraternity/sorority experience across North America. Now more than ever, human connection is essential, and fraternities and sororities provide the experience students are seeking; the research backs it up. Personally, I’ve been working to build more local community in 2026 and am excited to build more relationships to further my network and volunteerism.