Arizona Beta Nicole McCall has such a calming presence about her. I think it comes from the work she does. Nicole is the Social Event Manager for the Desert Botanical Garden in Phoenix. The weekend we met, she had just completed coordinating three different wedding ceremonies.

In her role, Nicole is responsible for nearly 120 events each year, from a 10-person wedding ceremony to black-tie galas for 500 people. She attributes being able to put on event experiences, and handle all the different aspects of event planning, to her time serving as Vice President Programming (VPP) for the Phoenix Alumnae Club.

Nicole became involved with the alumnae club to expand her friend group, continue to do philanthropy and be involved in Pi Beta Phi in her alumna life. Nicole emailed the alumnae club and New Mexico Beta Heather Miller responded. “I shared my interests in event planning and Heather let me know the club’s VPP position was open,” Nicole said. So she applied and was appointed to serve. Nicole held the VPP role for two terms during which she planned five annual events: a membership brunch, an angel ornament exchange, a Cookie Shine, a Founders’ Day celebration and a Beaux & Arrow date event.

Because of her VPP role, Nicole grew close to the club’s executive team. She looks forward to serving the club in the next few years in a different role: Nicole currently serves as Co-President with Heather. “If you’re going to learn to be President from anyone, you have to learn from Heather,” she said knowingly. Nicole is excited for Pi Phi’s 150th anniversary and hopes to put together many fun events to coincide with the Phoenix Alumnae Club’s anniversary this year. Most of all, Nicole is excited to add St. Louis 2017 to her list of conventions she has attended.