2026-2027 Executive Board

President, Wendy Brooks
president@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Wendy is a licensed Realtor® with Keller Williams Arizona Realty and a mortgage loan originator with Scout Mortgage, giving her clients a unique perspective on both the homebuying and financing processes. Originally from Kansas City (Go Chiefs!), Wendy moved to Arizona nearly 30 years ago and is proud to call the Valley home.

A University of Georgia initiate and a graduate of Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Wendy began her career in politics before transitioning into the mortgage and real estate industries.

A lifelong community leader and volunteer, Wendy has held numerous nonprofit leadership roles and brings extensive experience in fundraising, relationship building, volunteer management, project leadership, and community engagement.

When she's not helping clients achieve their real estate goals, Wendy loves traveling the world, embracing the adventures of empty-nester life, and spending time with her two adult sons, Ethan and Noah. At home, she's happily outnumbered by her two rescue dogs, Archie and Lola, who are convinced they run the household (and they're probably right!).

President-Elect,  Kyra Johnson
presidentelect@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Kyra officially joined the Phoenix Alumnae club in 2019 and is ready for another exciting year full of all things Pi Phi! Initiated in 2013 as an Arizona Gamma, (Northern Arizona University) she has lent her skills to different areas within the organization. Holding collegiate roles of Webmaster, VP of Finance Elect, and Policy and Standards Board to alumnae roles including Fundraising Committee, SIG leader, and AAC. In her professional life, Kyra works as a corporate trainer for a logistics company based in Scottsdale. When not spending time with her sisters she likes to read, bake, and chase after her nephew. 

VPs of Membership, Laura Gilliland and Lisa Goos
membership@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Laura’s journey with Pi Beta Phi began in 1983 when she was initiated into the Nebraska Beta chapter at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Hailing from Ralston, Nebraska, a community nestled just outside of Omaha, Laura brought her Midwestern roots and genuine spirit to Arizona in 1989, following her marriage to her high school sweetheart, Mark. The Pi Phi legacy runs in her family, as her daughter, Leigh, proudly carried on the tradition as an executive leader of the Arizona Alpha chapter.

Professionally, Laura dedicated an impressive 33 years to Norwest/Wells Fargo Bank. Throughout her career, she navigated various challenging roles, culminating in her position as a Vice President in the Deposit Products group before concluding this chapter in 2024. However, Laura is far from fully retired! She's currently embracing a vibrant 'semi-retirement,' balancing fulfilling part-time roles with a dynamic personal life. Her leisure time is happily filled with travel adventures, spirited games of pickleball, and, most importantly, cherished moments with her first grandson, Rowan.

Laura's commitment to Pi Beta Phi extends deeply into the local community. She has been an active member of the Phoenix Alumnae Club since 1990, consistently contributing her talents through a variety of leadership roles, including communications, membership, and Silver Arrows Chair. She has also enjoyed volunteering at the Phoenix Open golf tournament for more than 30 years!

Lisa was initiated into the Arizona Alpha chapter at the University of Arizona in 1988. Originally from Rapid City, South Dakota, she made her way south to enjoy the sun and desert. Her parents and siblings followed in the years to come, and her sister, Connie Brezik, is also a member of the Phoenix Alumnae Club.

Lisa worked in sales for CVS Caremark for 33 years before retiring at the end of 2024. In retirement, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Dave, exploring local activities and restaurants, and golfing whenever possible. She has greatly enjoyed spending more time with the Phoenix Alumnae Club and looks forward to the year ahead.​

VP Philanthropy (Non-Literacy),  Dianelle Amin
philanthropy@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Dianelle was initiated into the Cal Lambda chapter at the University of California, Riverside in 1990 and has been an active alumna ever since. Over the years, she’s been part of the South Orange County and San Francisco alumnae clubs, and for the past 22 years, has proudly called the Phoenix Alumnae Club home. With a deep love for literacy and service, Dianelle has co-chaired the club’s Birthday Books special interest group for several years. 

She now steps into the role of Vice President Philanthropy with a full heart and fresh enthusiasm, grateful for the chance to give back during this next chapter of life. Married to her husband Shreyas for 25 years, Dianelle is the proud mom of two teenagers, Anjini and Kal. 

After years devoted to raising her family, she now works as an Identity and Mindset Life Coach, helping midlife women rediscover their ordinary and extraordinary dreams to step into who they were always meant to be. She is honored to serve Pi Phi and carry forward the values of friendship, service, and sincere sisterhood.

VP Philanthropy (Literacy),  Martha Nielsen
philanthropy@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Martha is originally from Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to Arizona about 15 years ago as a snowbird before deciding to make it her full-time home. Pi Phi has been a part of her family for generations—her grandmother, mother, and sister are all Pi Phis. Martha attended the University of Kansas and was initiated in 1983.

A dedicated alumna volunteer, Martha has served as president of both the Omaha Alumnae Club and the Phoenix Alumnae Club. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, cooking, reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Jeff.

VP Communication, Elizabeth Shoemaker
communication@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Elizabeth is an Arizona Alpha initiate at the University of Arizona and a newbie to the Phoenix Alumnae Club. Her decades of women's leadership stem from her involvement with NextUp, a national women's leadership organization, in both the Bay Area and Phoenix chapters, where she served as VP, Programming.

Having just retired this June (wahoo!), Elizabeth's passion has come full circle after a career in design, marketing, and advertising with a national grocery retailer and numerous global branding companies. Along the way, she was able to travel internationally as an executive design lead, including a four-month assignment in Hong Kong.

From the age of 5, Elizabeth has been on planes going somewhere – either moving with her family around the U.S. or traveling the world with her sister or her son, Mac. She enjoys reading historical fiction, cooking, gardening, house projects, and chasing the sun, whether in Arizona or California.

VP Finance,  Karen Sasfy Crognale

finance@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Karen grew up in Columbus, Ohio, and was a charter member and Charter President of Ohio Theta at Bowling Green State University. She was initiated by Grand President Carolyn Hellman Lichtenberg in 1986 and helped oversee the construction of the chapter’s new house. 

Karen earned her master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from The Ohio State University and later served on the Ohio Beta House Corporation for several years. After a career in hospital marketing and strategic planning, she chose to stay home to raise her three sons. All three played Division I soccer, and two went on to play professionally. 

Karen and her husband, Corey, have been married for 35 years and relocated to Phoenix four years ago. She enjoys hiking, traveling, baking decorative cakes and cookies, practicing Bikram yoga, and cheering on just about any sporting event – especially soccer.

VP Finance-Elect,  Patti DeCroce

fundraising@phoenixpibetaphi.org

Patti became a Pi Beta Phi alumnae initiate in the spring of 2026 and is thrilled to begin her Pi Phi journey with the Phoenix Alumnae Club. While sisterhood wasn't part of her college experience, she has quickly discovered the friendships, support, and sense of belonging that make Pi Phi so special. She is honored to serve as VP Finance-Elect and looks forward to giving back to an organization that has already meant so much to her.

Originally from New Mexico and now living in Chandler with her husband, Patti is the proud mom of two young adult children. She works in healthcare finance, but outside of work, you'll most likely find her hiking, traveling, baking sourdough bread, crafting with her Cricut, or planning her next adventure. Patti enjoys mentoring others, building meaningful relationships, and believes some of life's greatest rewards come from helping people grow. She is excited to get to know more of her Pi Phi sisters and create lifelong friendships along the way.