Leadership

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.

Connie V. Pugh is the immediate past Illinois State Director and has served in a myriad of appointed and elected positions within the sorority, including Basileus of her undergraduate and graduate chapters. She is a Life Member and currently a member of Xi Mu Zeta Chapter in Markham, Illinois. She was initiated into Zeta through the Psi Nu Chapter in 1990. Soror Pugh has also served in a leadership role with the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Chicago.

Soror Dawn C. Edwards, PharmD is the current State Director of Illinois. Soror Edwards was initiated into Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated in 2002 through the Beta Delta Chapter at Xavier University of Louisiana. Active since she became a Zeta, she served on multiple committees in her undergraduate chapter. She was elected as the Undergraduate to the National Nominating Committee at the 2004 Boule and served one full term. She is now an active member of Xi Mu Zeta chapter. She served as Xi Mu Zeta’s 1st Vice-President and is the current 3rd Vice-President. She has served the State of Illinois as the Legacy Club Coordinator, the Life Members Coordinator, member of the Leadership Academy, Presidents Council, Centennial Planning Committee and Treasurer. She became a Life member in 2007 and Diamond Life in 2013.

Soror Edwards completed her studies at Xavier University in 2007 with a Doctorate of Pharmacy Degree. While at Xavier, she was also involved in student government (Pharmacy Student Association – Treasurer) and Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Inc (active member and Vice President). She is currently a member of the Xavier University Alumni Association Chicago Chapter, Chicago Pharmacist Society and the American Pharmacist Association. Soror Edwards is a Community Pharmacist and has been in practice for 12 years.