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DKG Practice/Program

DKGNext 2023: Project IMPACT

Since 2015, “DKGNext” has brought women together to collaborate and gain insight into issues within
the organization. Approximately 45–50 emerging female leaders have participated, exploring topics such
as leadership, belonging, retention, and advancement. Here, members of the DKGNext 2023 group reflect
upon their experience.
The Strength of Women with Purpose: The History of DKGNext—
Cindy Dixon, Beta Chapter, AL
When Nita Scott handed President Dr. Lyn Schmid (2014–2016) the latest survey results revealing
weak retention of members under the age of 40, Schmid
collaborated with Dr. Lace Brogden to strategize ways in which
younger members could have a voice. What began as a series of
intimate social gatherings for DKG members under the age of 45
at different national events and state organization meetings turned
into a webinar with 8 to 10 women who had been part of these
previous gatherings. That group was invited in 2015 to Austin,
Texas, for an informal session with Schmid. As the women talked
about retention of members and other relevant topics, they asked
What do we do next?—essentially naming the group by asking this
question. DKGNext is a think tank group that each subsequent
president has invited to meet to envision what can be done to
The participants of DKGNext with
propel DKG International forward with the mindset of gaining International President Debbie LeBlanc
and retaining active women in this professional organization. and Executive Director Nita Scott
Eight years later, under the leadership of Dr. Debbie
LeBlanc, the DKGNext 2023 women tapped throughout the Society received email invitations to spend
a weekend in Austin “engaged in a Think Tank experience devoted to DKG’s future.” Personally, I was
astounded but also honored to be among the women chosen. As with many of my other pursuits, I began
thinking and taking on more responsibilities to prepare for our weekend. And what a weekend it was! The
experience has already provided forever friendships, taught collaboration across borders, and provided
purpose for leadership. Members of DKGNext 2023 gained a fresh perspective of what leadership means
while facing challenges. We no longer want to be embers of a dying fire. Instead, we want to be women
who keep a continuous fire of hope and resilience growing among our worldwide organization.

The Discovery of DKG Differences: Meeting DKGNext 2023—
Faith Skinner, Gamma Rho Chapter, IL

Deliberating, considering, and laughing with each other over the topics brought before us by Debbie
and Nita, I was left speechless by my fellow North Americans and their DKG stories and perspectives. As
the newest member of DKG in the group, my experience was unique. For a while, I have been involved at
the state organization level, presenting at Illinois State Organization conventions and working with state
organization leaders on various projects in education. As my passion for education, teacher leaders, and
women in education led to my membership in DKG, such involvement was a good fit for me. However,
as a new member, I was limited in experience of chapter participation before heading to DKGNext. I
had only attended two induction ceremonies, one outing, and one regular meeting. Listening to the other
women speak about their experiences within their chapters, I discovered how much I was missing!
As DKGNext members shared, I paralleled their experiences to the small ties I had in mine. I heard

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Collegial Exchange