Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker
International President
During the Grand Boulé, Valerie Hollingsworth-Baker, Zeta’s immediate past International First Vice President, was elected as International President and will lead the organization into its centennial year in 2020.
The Brooklyn native is the Director of the Inforce Systems Division for New York Life Insurance Company in New York City, responsible for managing multi-million-dollar projects and programs, training personnel, and overseeing new product development as the chief administrator of one of the company’s major subsystems. She is an alumna of Fordham University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree at the young age of eighteen. Hollingsworth-Baker has been recognized in the “Who’s Who of Information and Technology” and “Outstanding Women of America” publications. Her civic endeavors include volunteering with the Red Cross, UNCF, and New York Cares; and she is a member of St. Augustine’s Church, the NAACP, and the Hancock T&T Block Association where she serves as the vice president.
Elner Bailet Taylor
Director, Great Lakes Region
Soror Bailey Taylor has served as Michigan State Director and Basileus of Zeta Beta Zeta Chapter in Flint, Mich. Soror Bailey Taylor also holds the post of resident Agent of Birch Haven, overseeing renovations of that Idlewild, Mich. resort-area property bequeathed to Zeta by Past 8th Grand Violette N. Anderson when she died in 1937. Bailey Taylor follows Soror Connie V. Pugh as Regional Director. The Great Lakes Region thanks Soror Pugh for her service, and wishes much success to Soror Bailey Taylor. Please welcome Regional Director Bailey Taylor!
Deborah Chima
Director, State of Illinois
Soror Deborah Chima is the newly appointed State Director for Illinois. She has held a variety of positions in the Sorority including Immediate Past President of her current chapter Alpha Alpha Sigma Zeta. To her credit, Deborah has lived in a variety of cities in Illinois and maintained Zeta membership within the different cities where she lived and worked. As such, she has a wide breadth of experience with varying chapter sizes throughout the State.
Professionally, Soror Chima worked as a human capital developer. She spent over 20 years serving as a business unit operations leader, corporate trainer, and team leader both internationally and domestically. Before she retired, Deborah spent 10+ years as a successful business owner as a business/executive coach and leadership trainer. Deborah joined Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated at Nu Delta Chapter at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana. She is currently a member of Alpha Alpha Sigma Zeta chapter in Aurora.