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DKGIEF

Dr. Elaine Vaughan, 2024–2028 director, is a high school mathematics instructor with more than
35 years of experience in public education. She was an adjunct mathematics professor at Tusculum
College and mentored preservice teachers for the University of Tennessee. Inducted into Tennessee State
Organization (TNSO) in 2007, she served as TNSO president, first vice president, and corresponding
secretary, and on various state committees. She is serving as chair of the TNSO Strengthening Committee
and as a member of the Historical Preservation Committee and the Tennessee Xi State Vision Foundation.
Vaughan’s goal is to serve wholeheartedly and promote DKGIEF opportunities for members and non-
members. She shares a quote from Walt Disney as her inspiration: “All our dreams can come true if we
have the courage to pursue them.”

Class B Directors: Society Officers
Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, 2024–2026 DKG International President, retired after 25 years as an
educator. She taught surgical technology before finishing her career as a career and technical director.
Inducted into DKG in 2002, she is a member of the Tennessee State Organization (TNSO), serving on its
bylaws and rules committee and nominating committee. Hall-Maughan served as TNSO’s president, first
vice president, and recording secretary. Before being elected as the DKG international president, Hall-
Maughan served at the international level as second vice president and chair of the finance committee.
She shared that her goal on the Foundation board is “to continue establishing a collaborative and mutually
beneficial relationship between the Society and the Foundation.”
Dr. Debbie LeBlanc, 2024–2026 International Immediate Past President and 2022–2026 DKGIEF
director, was an active educator for 44 years. She taught special needs children, was an elementary and
middle school principal, and was a director of student services. LeBlanc was also a university instructor
and program chair for the Teacher Leadership and Principal Preparation Programs at Aurora University.
Illinois State Organization (ILSO) welcomed her as a member in 1999, and she has served as ILSO
president and in many other state leadership roles. LeBlanc served on several international committees,
as the Northeast Regional Director, and, most recently, as the international president. She shared Mitch
Albom’s quote as her inspiration for work on the DKGIEF board: “The way you get meaning into your life
is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself
to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

Class C Directors: Society Executive Director and Finance Director
Lucinda Hart, DKG Executive Director and DKGIEF board secretary, joined the Society staff in
June 2024 after 30 years in nonprofit management and customer service. She specializes in strategic
alliances, business development, membership, meeting planning, governance and administration, and
certification programs. Hart achieved her Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the
American Society of Association Executives and completed her Institute for Organization Management
program through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Her experience is valuable to DKG and to the DKGIEF
board of directors. Looking to the future, Lucinda states, “My goal is to foster meaningful connections
and drive growth through collaboration, leveraging decades of experience in nonprofit management and
strategic leadership.”
Peggy Jonas, DKG Finance Director and DKGIEF board treasurer, spent 30 years in public accounting
and then in the private sector for a hardware company, a software company, and retail/Internet fine jewelry
sales. She joined the DKG Headquarters staff in 2018 and has worked in various positions. Her degree in
business administration with an emphasis in accounting and economics provides the perfect knowledge
base for her work as a finance director and board treasurer. Jonas is also very knowledgeable about the
legal issues and responsibilities of the DKGIEF directors. Her willingness to share that experience is
exemplified in her statement: “When you get where you are going, look back and help the next one.”

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