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Inspirational Piece

Also, my personal development was enhanced in self-care and wellness. I will use the lessons/strategies I
learned about these topics to make me a better leader. Finally, I am now able to help two family members and
students who struggle to see failure as an opportunity.
Just as important as the skills I gained were the bonds I forged with DKG colleagues from various state
organizations, including Estonia and the Netherlands. We all gained knowledge and inspiration from the
sessions and speakers, but we also made some happy memories and forged new friendships as we shared
meals; a visit to the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge, which hosts the largest urban bat colony in
the world; and late-night gab sessions in the dormitory lounge. We also got to know Dasha Khalizova, Senior
Program Coordinator for Custom Programs, and
Courtney Link, Director of Custom Programs for
Texas Executive Education. They were a delight to
know, and their efforts to make our Ignite seminar
a success were invaluable. Finally, both Candi
Martin, International Leadership Development/
Golden Gift Chair (recently installed as DKG
International First Vice President) and Dr.
Debbie LeBlanc, 2022–2024 International
President (now Immediate Past President) shared
meals with us and presented at our graduation
ceremony. Getting to know all these women and
share amazing experiences with them was the
highlight of my Ignite experience.
I am deeply appreciative of the opportunity
I received that has fostered my growth as a
leader within DKG and my university as well as
provided the chance to grow personally. It truly
was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I will
always treasure. I encourage members to look
at the criteria (DKG experiences, professional
goal and plan of action for the future, and the Author Hacke celebrates leadership learning with
challenges faced) and consider applying to DKG fellow Ignite participant Dr. Diane Anderson,
Ignite! It will IGNITE YOUR LEADERSHIP president of Gamma Alpha Chapter, treasurer of
FUTURE! Tennessee State Organization, and newly elected
member of the International Finance Committee!

DKG Ignite is supported by the Golden Gift fund, which is one of the nine funds managed by
the DKG International Educators Foundation (DKGIEF). Each fund is dedicated to various
intitiatives, but all align with the overall mission of DKGIEF (refer to pages 50–51).

Dr. Wendy Hacke, a retired special education teacher and administrator, is a member of Beta Beta Chapter in Oregon State Organization.
She has served her current chapter as corresponding secretary (2022–2024) and is now chapter co-president (2024–2026) as well as vice
president (2023–2025) of the state organization. wdhacke57dkg@gmail.com

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