NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OVERSEES OPERATIONS
National Board Overview
The National Board of Directors of Omega Phi Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc. is the formal governing body that oversees all organizational operations as well as strategic implementation to uphold our mission. It is comprised of a group of alumnae leaders with varying expertise committed to the success of Omega Phi Chi. Board members are successful women within their careers and their communities who implement their experiences into guiding, teaching, and empowering our members using their networking, personal experiences, and organizational knowledge.
Awards and Recognition
The National Board of Directors awards recognition to chapters and individual sisters that have flourished within the organization and outside in their personal lives. These awards are presented each year at the Soft Elegance Banquet or at Founders Day events.
Sisters are recognized for the following:
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Membership Certification | completing all requirements to be come a Sophisticated Sister
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Silver Academic Certificate | obtaining a semester GPA of 3.5-3.99
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Gold Academic Certificate | obtaining a semester GPA of 4.0 or above
The following awards are presented to individual sisters on behalf of the National Board of Directors:
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Sister Community Service Award | undergraduate sister who has completed the most hours of community service
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Onyx Award | alumna who has exibited outstanding professional and personal achievement
The following awards are presented to chapters on behalf of the National Board of Directors:
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Chapter of the Year | chapter that has made outstanding contributions and accomplishments
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Most Improved Chapter of the Year | chapter that has made the most progress for the year over the previous year
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Chapter Community Service Award | chapter that has completed the most hours of community service
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Sisterhood Award | chapter that exemplifies what it means to embody true sisterhood
Onyx Award Winners
10th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Bernadette Santana
15th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Viviana Baeza
20th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Barbara Rosario
25th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Sofia Pinto-Figueroa
30th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Natalia Tapia
35th Soft Elegance Onyx Award Winner
Crystal Henry
Annual Projects
Along with various community service and philanthropic projects, the National Board of Directors plans and implements two main annual projects. Click below for more info.
EXECUTIVE BOARD, 2024-2026
Kaitlyn Lopez
National President
Kaitlyn Lopez was initiated into the Innovative Nu Chapter at Rutgers University-Newark in Fall 2017 as a solo. As an undergraduate, she served as Public Relations Chair. Beyond her undergraduate career, Kaitlyn has continued to support our sisterhood by helping other chapters when needed, serving as Assistant Educator twice, consistently being involved as an active alumna, performing on Pink Reign, and serving on the National Board of Directors since 2022 as National Co-Director of Recruitment Strategy. Her passion and love for our organization motivates her to give back to the sisterhood that has given her immeasurably more. She now is pursuing her dream working as a Flight Attendant while taking on the position of National President. When she's not working, she loves spending time with family and friends, shopping, and traveling to new places.
Paola Yanez
National Vice President
Paola Yanez was initiated at Gamma Chapter, New Jersey City University in Fall 2012, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. She completed her Master in Higher Education with a concentration in leadership at William Paterson University in May 2024. As an undergraduate, she served as the chapter’s Vice President, Treasurer, Educator and Academic Dean. As an alumna, she recently served as the chapter’s educator. Paola resides in New Jersey with her partner and three children, where she currently works as the Campus Associate Director of Financial Aid at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Park. In her free time, Paola loves to spend time with her family, hiking, reading, online shopping, and trying new restaurants.
Michelle Hayes
National Secretary
Michelle Hayes was initiated in Spring 2017 at our founding chapter, Alpha Chapter in New Brunswick, NJ, as part of the Alpha Phi class. During her undergraduate program, Michelle served as Secretary and National Governing Board Representative for Alpha chapter. She graduated in Spring 2018, earning a degree in both Political Science and Women’s Gender studies, and a minor certificate in Philosophy. Upon graduating, she joined Teach for America as a Middle School teacher, and taught for a few years in various NYC charter schools. She then went on to do recruitment of fellow teachers, and then stepped into her current work in executive recruitment, scouting talent for executive positions at various nonprofits both in education and other areas of the social sector. Michelle is an NJ native from her hometown of Jersey City, and is currently based in Newark, NJ. A fun fact about her is that she is passionate about social justice and equity for marginalized people.
Helena Bacheva
National Director, Treasury
Helena Bacheva was initiated in Spring 2017 into the Majestic Mu Chapter. She graduated from Montclair State University in 2020, with a dual bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Justice Studies. Currently working full time within the healthcare system in hospital administration for one of the leading cancer hospitals in the country, while also passionately advising your need beauty related needs as a tenured beauty advisor, Helena believes that balance in one’s career goals and passions is always a priority.
With goals and ambitions to attend law school for the fall 2025 class, to pursue a career within international justice and policy in the upcoming future; the road for achieving further accolades to create spaces for multi-ethnic women to thrive is her ultimate life mission. At the end of the day, she’s “just a girl”, with big dreams, looking to get the most life can offer. And she preaches that same mantra to all that will listen.
Martha Ugwu
National Co-Director, Public Relations
Martha Ugwu was initiated at Alpha Chapter at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in Spring 2018. While there, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies and Cinema Studies. As an undergraduate, she served as Alpha Chapter’s Public Relations Chair. After graduation, she served as Director of Public Relations for the Alumnae Association. She also served as Educator for Alpha Chapter’s Fall 2020 class. Martha was born and raised in New Jersey and still resides there. She currently works in the Broadcast Journalism industry. In her free time, Martha loves to attend concerts and binge watch TV shows and movies.
Katherine Granja
National Co-Director, Public Relations
Katherine Granja was initiated into Alpha Chapter at Rutgers University-New Brunswick in Spring 2019. During her undergraduate career, she served as the President, Vice President, and Public Relations officer. She served the campus community as RU4Kids Liaison for Embrace Kids Foundation. Kat graduated cum laude in 2021 as a triple major in Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Latino & Caribbean Studies. In 2022, Kat graduated sum cum laude with her Master of Social Work with a Certification in Promoting Child & Adolescent Well-Being. Post-graduation, Kat continued to support the organization by staying involved as an active alumna. Kat currently lives in Middlesex County, where she works as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Adjunct Professor at Middlesex County College. She is also currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) at Monmouth University. Kat enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, building Legos, and shopping!
Position Vacant
National Co-Director, Recruitment
Andreina Minaya
National Co-Director, Recruitment
Andreina Isabel Minaya was initiated into the Innovative New Chapter at Rutgers University-Newark in Fall 2016. As an undergraduate sister, she served as the Public Relations chair. Even after her undergraduate carrier, Andreina has continued to support our sisterhood by helping her chapter when needed, serving as New Member Educator twice and staying involved as an alumna. In 2018, Andreina graduated from Rutgers University-Newark with her Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and afterwards she completed her certification in Paralegal Studies in order to enhance her knowledge into the legal side of the Criminal Justice system. Andreina currently works as a Senior Paralegal and IDR and MVA Arbitration Specialist. She loves spending time with her dog, reading books, and going on spontaneous adventures.
Patricia Ortiz
National Director, Membership
Patricia was initiated into Gamma Chapter at New Jersey City University in Fall 2012, earning her bachelor's degree in Biology. During her undergraduate years, she served as Treasurer. As an alumna, she continued her leadership role on the National board in 2014 as Treasurer. Now residing in Orlando, Florida she works as a Financial Specialist at MetLife. Outside of work and her involvement with Omega Phi Chi, Patricia enjoys spending time at Disney World with her two boys, taking road trips, relaxing on the beach, or watching shows on Netflix.
Chioma Obuteh
National Director, Archivist
Chioma Obuteh was born in New Jersey and went to school at Fairleigh Dickinson University Teaneck where she was initiated into Omega Phi Chi in Spring of 2019 her senior year. She received her Bachelor's of Science in General Science and is currently working as a Medical Assistant and a Research Technician. Chioma was also very active on campus as she was a student ambassador and a Resident Assistant. She was interested in the Archivist role because she wanted to be more involved with sisterhood and help the undergraduates succeed academically. Her hobbies include going to the spa, spending time with her friends, and writing.