Her friends would call her a “natural born leader” and an “empathetic heart.” At a young age, Desiree Paulhamus learned the importance of relationships and giving back to others. The more she engaged in her local community the more her passion led her to new leadership opportunities both in school and continuing in her professional life today.With nearly eight years as a nonprofit professional, she currently serves as the Director of Programs for Foundation of Fraternal Excellence and North American Interfraternity Conference. Her primary responsibility includes delivering excellence through our flagship programs while providing leadership for highly engaged volunteers who support these programs. She brings value to member organizations by implementing new and existing initiatives that will help them grow and strengthen the future of the fraternal experience. Desiree thrives in a fast-paced, start-up-like environment, where she gains a wide breadth of experiences. She believes in the art of positive communication to deepen relationships and to enhance an organization’s case for generosity. Her dream is to influence positive change throughout the nonprofit sector. In 2020, she invested in herself and began Dazzle with Desiree, her $5 jewelry boutique. By leveraging her personal network and utilizing Facebook Live, she grossed over $55,000 in sales in only 18 months while working her business part-time. The financial flexibility of this opportunity awarded her more resources to give back in new ways.Additionally, her community involvement includes Leadership Saline County, active membership in the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Trustee for National Panhellenic Conference Foundation, and alumna volunteer for Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority. With more than a decade of expertise, her professional experiences include fundraising, marketing, sales, communication, and community relations. She and her husband Justin reside in Benton, Arkansas, along with their rescue dog, Dexter.