National Council
The National Council of Alpha Epsilon Phi is elected at each national convention for a two-year term. These seven volunteers are the governing body of the organization and are responsible for ensuring the sorority continues to fulfill its mission. Council members may serve in the same position for two bienniums and may not serve more than 12 consecutive years.
The 2019-2021 National Council was elected in June 2019 at the sorority’s 44th Biennial Convention at the Renaissance Sea World in Orlando, FL.
NATIONAL PRESIDENT
Sharon Block Raphael
Epsilon Theta Chapter, American University
Fairfax, VA
nationalpresident@aephi.org
A graduate of American University where she earned a bachelor of arts in psychology, Sharon returns to National Council for a fifth term having served two terms as vice president-alumnae, one term as vice president-finance and completing a term as vice president-chapter administration. As a member of Epsilon Theta Chapter, Sharon served as ritualist, assistant new member educator, spirit and sunshine chair, formal chair, Greek Week chair and Junior Panhellenic delegate.
After graduation, Sharon worked as an event planner in New York City for a year before returning to DC and earning a certificate in event management from George Washington University. Upon her return to DC, Sharon began her alumnae involvement serving as an advisor to Alpha Mu Chapter at the University of Maryland. She went on to serve as a finance specialist, membership specialist, team captain, director of alumnae groups and a member of the alumnae experience task force. She also served as house corporation president for Kappa Chapter at Cornell University and Alpha Gamma Chapter at George Washington University.
Sharon is the Director of Meetings and Events for Arlington Economic Development. She, husband Ross, son Benji and daughter Mila live in the Washington, DC area. Sharon is very active in her synagogue where she serves on the membership committee. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach and visiting the many museums in DC.
VICE PRESIDENT CHAPTER ADMINISTRATION
Heather Lorgeree
Phi Xi, Fairleigh Dickinson University
Lodi, NJ
vp-chapteradminstration@aephi.org
Heather returns to National Council after having previously served as vice president-membership for a year before joining AEPhi’s professional staff as assistant executive director for five years.
As an undergraduate at Fairleigh Dickinson University Heather served her chapter in numerous capacities including ritualist, fundraising chair and assistant new member educator. Following graduation Heather spent a year on the road as a traveling educational consultant. She has continued to be involved in AEPhi having served as a membership specialist, new member specialist, team captain and most recently as advisor to Epsilon Mu Chapter at Long Island University, Post.
Heather has worked for Women of Reform Judaism since 2013 and is the Manager of Programming & Affiliate Services. She works with over 375 sisterhoods/women’s groups at Reform congregations across North America supporting member services, volunteer/leadership development, dues collection and many other areas. She is also the staff liaison for the eight WRJ Districts and the key contact for District Presidents.
Heather is the proud aunt of nephews Tucker, Nixon and Scottie. Even though she now calls New Jersey home, she is a lifelong Chicago sports fan who can be found cheering on the White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks and Northwestern University football. She travels annually to the NCAA basketball tournament opening weekend. She enjoys cooking, baking and making her own famous ice cream.
VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE
Mary Sowder Lakes
Alpha Kappa Chapter, Miami University
Hamilton, OH
vp-finance@aephi.org
Mary will be continuing in the role of vice president-finance having served Alpha Epsilon Phi as a volunteer for over 15 years in numerous capacities. She joined National Council after serving as director of alumnae groups. Her previous positions also included chapter advisor to Alpha Kappa Chapter at Miami University, operations specialist, team captain and director of alumnae programming. Mary also served on several committees and task forces including nominating and collegiate programming.
Mary earned her bachelor of science degree in organization behavior and marketing from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. While at Miami she served Alpha Kappa Chapter as treasurer and new member educator.
Mary, and husband Keith, reside in Hamilton, Ohio (Cincinnati) and are the proud parents of one-year old Camden. Mary is employed by American Homeland Title Agency, Inc. as the escrow account manager.
In her free time, Mary enjoys traveling to the Caribbean, watching HGTV, collecting giraffes (she has over 100!), and spending time with family and friends.
VICE PRESIDENT MEMBERSHIP
Shannon Cohen Benson
Beta Beta Chapter, University of Massachusetts
Ann Arbor, MI
vp-membership@aephi.org
Shannon assumes the role of vice president-membership after serving one term as vice president-alumnae. Shannon has been on staff or volunteering for AEPhi since graduation. Prior to joining National Council, she served as director of collegiate programming for 5 years as well as having been a chapter advisor, membership specialist, operations specialist and a member of the nominating committee.
A graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Shannon earned her bachelor of arts degree in history. Upon graduating, she took to the road as a traveling educational consultant for AEPhi before pursuing her masters of arts in higher education administration from the University of Michigan. As a collegian, Shannon served as vice president-programming and as co-chair of University Dance Marathon (UDance) run through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Shannon worked for Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity for over 2 years as Coordinator of Leadership and Training and as Assistant Director of Retention, Leadership and Training before returning to Ann Arbor, Michigan. She currently serves as Associate Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life and Panhellenic Advisor at the University of Michigan.
Shannon is a newlywed living in Ann Arbor, Michigan with her husband Michael, an active volunteer for his fraternity, Kappa Sigma. In her free time, Shannon enjoys staying active with activities including bike riding, reading, cheering on her favorite sports teams and spending time with family and friends.
VICE PRESIDENT CHAPTER OPERATIONS
Jen Werger Feldman
Alpha Tau Chapter, University of Florida
Kensington, MD
vp-chapteroperations@aephi.org
Returning to National Council, Jennifer will serve as vice president-chapter operations. Jennifer's alumnae volunteer service has included serving as vice president-membership for the last two bienniums, being a team captain, membership specialist, chapter advisor, director and a year as a trustee of the Alpha Epsilon Phi Foundation.
As a collegian at the University of Florida, Jennifer was an active member of Alpha Tau Chapter, serving as parliamentarian and chapter president. For her involvement within the sorority and throughout campus, she was tapped into Florida Blue Key in 2002. Jennifer’s younger sister, Ashley, is also an AEPhi from Alpha Tau Chapter. Following graduation, Jennifer proudly served AEPhi as a traveling educational consultant for the 2003-2004 academic year, during which she had the pleasure of colonizing the Beta Eta Chapter at the University of California, San Diego.
Jennifer holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from the University of Florida and a juris doctorate from Whittier Law School. She is licensed to practice in California, Maryland and the District of Columbia where she currently works at the Montgomery County Circuit Court as a Staff Attorney.
Jennifer resides in Kensington, Maryland with her husband Jay (Managing Director of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Foundation), their daughter and AEPhi legacy, Sadie, and their dog. Jennifer is a two time breast cancer survivor and a volunteer for Sharsheret. Aside from her passion for AEPhi service, Jen also enjoys spinning, crafting and baking.
VICE PRESIDENT CHAPTER PROGRAMMING
Lisa Spector Miller
Omega Chapter, University of Texas
Austin, TX
vp-chapterprogramming@aephi.org
Lisa returns to National Council in the role of vice president-chapter programming after a biennium as vice president-chapter operations. Before her term on National Council, she served as director of officer transition and advisor to the then colony at Texas A&M University as well as a province director, team captain and membership specialist.
Lisa earned her bachelor of arts in history with a minor in Hebrew literature and language arts from the University of Texas. She went on to receive a master of public policy with an emphasis in media policy and communication from Brown University. While an undergraduate in Omega Chapter, Lisa served as vice president-philanthropy and as a member of the chapter’s standards board. She was also vice president of membership for Order of Omega.
Prior to starting graduate school, Lisa worked in the Office of the First Lady of Texas. During graduate school she interned for ABC World News with Charles Gibson. Since attaining her masters, she as worked at Yale University and as the Director of Communications & Marketing at a private school in Houston, Texas.
Lisa, and husband Mason, are the proud parents of toddler twins Charlotte and Hunter and reside in Austin, Texas. She is also the proud mother of Charlie and Sophie, the family’s two dogs. Lisa enjoys running, SoulCycle and watching and cheering on the Texas Longhorns!
VICE PRESIDENT ALUMNAE
Joy Quittner Huppert
Alpha Tau, University of Florida
Davie, FL
vp-alumnae@aephi.org
Joy is new to National Council but has a long list of AEPhi accomplishments since graduating from the University of Florida where she served Alpha Tau Chapter as Panhellenic delegate and president. Upon graduating, Joy joined the AEPhi staff as a traveling educational consultant. She then returned to school and earned her Juris Doctorate from the University of Miami School of Law.
As a volunteer, Joy has served as director of ritual education, a team captain, committee member and then director of the bylaws revision committee and on the bylaws revision committee for the Alpha Epsilon Phi Foundation. She has also continued to be dedicated to Alpha Tau Chapter serving on their house corporation and as one of the co-chairs of their recent 70th Anniversary Reunion.
Joy practiced real estate and other areas of law for 10 years. She is now the officer manager and a staff accountant for Huppert & Huppert CPA. She is also a full-time mom of two very active kids - legacy Carly age 10 and son Sean age 8. Joy is married to David, who served as Tau Epsilon Phi chapter president at the same time Joy was AEPhi president. The family resides in Davie, Florida.
When not working or running with her kids, Joy enjoys dancing, riding her bike outdoors and spending time with family and friends.