Meet the NoVA Executive Board
L-R: Diane Oliver, Natalie Rivera, Kathryn Parker Martin, Kathy Bacskay, Felicia Afuan
Not Pictured: Laci Wallin
Not Pictured: Laci Wallin
Kathryn Parker Martin, President (Gamma Pi - Virginia Polytechnic Institute). Kathryn was initiated in February 1973. She was one of a group of student leaders selected to colonize 6 sororities at Virginia Tech. Leaders were each assigned to a sorority, and lucky for us, Kathryn was matched to Phi Mu! She went on to serve as the first president after the Gamma Pi chapter was chartered. Kathryn is a DC area native. She met her husband, Mike at Virginia Tech. They married in 1975 and look forward to celebrating their Golden Anniversary in 2025! Kathryn started her professional career in Richmond working for the largest financial holding company in Virginia. While there, she earned her MBA in Finance before returning to the DC area in 1980. She describes herself as a “workaholic who needs to stay busy”. She still works for Fairfax County and volunteers for local organizations. Kathryn has a brother and a sister who live in the area along with 2 nieces and 2 nephews who are young adults. While they do not have children of their own, Kathryn and Mike have “adopted” many senior citizens to fill the void. They also live with multiple Boston Terriers in a large lot certified as a wildlife refuge in Reston, Virginia.
Felicia Afuan, VP of Programming (Gamma Delta – American University). Felicia Afuan was initiated as an alumnae at the National Convention in July 2024. She double majored in pre-law and philosophy at American University while studying abroad at Oxford (which is why she missed recruitment!). While at American University, she also met her husband, Brandon. Felicia currently serves as Staff Assistant in the U.S. Department of State, where she has worked for more than a decade. She is an active member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, where she has fulfilled multiple leadership roles and enjoys volunteering while using her gardening skills. In her spare time, Felicia is a frequent traveler who loves trying new foods, watching musical theater, taking barre classes, and raising hamsters. She is originally from California and currently resides in the Arlington / Alexandria area.
Natalie Rivera, VP of Communications (Theta Gamma – Florida International University). Natalie was initiated in Fall 2016 and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. She went on to pursue a Master in Health Administration at the University of Florida and completed an administrative fellowship with Duke Health. She currently works at Children’s National as a consultant in the patient and family experience department. Natalie lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Anthony. They love traveling and hiking together. Natalie enjoys tutoring math as her side hustle. Natalie is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ; she serves as a youth group leader in her church fellowship in northern Virginia. As of Fall 2024, she has served as the Ritual Advisor for the Gamma Delta chapter at American University. She has a very close-knit family and she’s a proud daughter of immigrants. Her sister is a legacy in the same chapter!
Kathy Bacskay, VP of Panhellenic (Gamma Alpha - The College of William and Mary). Kathy was initiated in April 1971 during Gamma Alpha’s recolonization. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Math with a concentration in computer science. Before retiring in November 2019, Kathy spent most of her career as a contract IT professional in Consular Affairs at the US State Department. Kathy is a returning member of the Executive Board. She has served as VP Panhellenic for quite a few years, and has filled a lot of the officer and committee roles. She has also attended 13 Phi Mu conventions in person! Kathy has always been interested in the arts, taking as many music, art, and theater classes in college as she could. Kathy is an avid decorative painter, which she describes as “painting anything that doesn’t move”! In fact, since retiring, she has finished at least 40 art projects – some she has been storing in her studio for 15 years! She lives in Lorton with her adult son, Stefan.
Laci Wallin, VP of Finance (Kappa Alpha – Mississippi State University). Laci was initiated in 1981, Kappa Alpha Chapter and Mississippi State University. She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy. Laci went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2006) and Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Education (2014) from Marymount University. Laci is a RN on the Labor and Delivery unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital, where she has been working since graduating from nursing school. Laci is married to John Wallin, Lt. Col. USAF, Retired. John and Laci has four adult children, two beautiful daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Laci just recently earned a post-graduate certificate in Scottish Heritage from the University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland.
Diane Oliver, VP of Membership (Gamma Theta – James Madison University). Diane was initiated in November of 1978. She graduated from James Madison University in May of 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and later earned her Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities from the University of Virginia. She taught in Fauquier County Schools for her first three years and then finished out her career with 32 years in Fairfax County Public schools, retiring in 2016. She is a native to Northern Virginia having grown up in Annandale and Springfield and having also lived in Fairfax. She currently lives in Centreville with her husband, who is also a retired teacher. They have a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Emily (also a Gamma Theta alumna!) Diane has been active with the Gamma Theta Chapter Association since it was formed to help support the recolonization of the chapter in 2010. She has held the President position for the past seven years. She has served on the Advisory Council for the Gamma Theta chapter and currently serves as the Alumnae Liaison. She has enjoyed connecting with the NOVA Phi Mu alumnae since her retirement and enjoys crafts, antiquing, and travel in her spare time. Personal annual highlights include packing up all the purple and gold for Homecoming weekend at JMU and all the rose and white for a Phi Mu Gamma Theta reunion weekend at Smith Mountain Lake.
Alternate Panhellenic Delegate - VACANT
Felicia Afuan, VP of Programming (Gamma Delta – American University). Felicia Afuan was initiated as an alumnae at the National Convention in July 2024. She double majored in pre-law and philosophy at American University while studying abroad at Oxford (which is why she missed recruitment!). While at American University, she also met her husband, Brandon. Felicia currently serves as Staff Assistant in the U.S. Department of State, where she has worked for more than a decade. She is an active member of the Junior League of Northern Virginia, where she has fulfilled multiple leadership roles and enjoys volunteering while using her gardening skills. In her spare time, Felicia is a frequent traveler who loves trying new foods, watching musical theater, taking barre classes, and raising hamsters. She is originally from California and currently resides in the Arlington / Alexandria area.
Natalie Rivera, VP of Communications (Theta Gamma – Florida International University). Natalie was initiated in Fall 2016 and graduated in 2019 with a Bachelor in Business Administration. She went on to pursue a Master in Health Administration at the University of Florida and completed an administrative fellowship with Duke Health. She currently works at Children’s National as a consultant in the patient and family experience department. Natalie lives in Washington, DC with her husband, Anthony. They love traveling and hiking together. Natalie enjoys tutoring math as her side hustle. Natalie is a believer and follower of Jesus Christ; she serves as a youth group leader in her church fellowship in northern Virginia. As of Fall 2024, she has served as the Ritual Advisor for the Gamma Delta chapter at American University. She has a very close-knit family and she’s a proud daughter of immigrants. Her sister is a legacy in the same chapter!
Kathy Bacskay, VP of Panhellenic (Gamma Alpha - The College of William and Mary). Kathy was initiated in April 1971 during Gamma Alpha’s recolonization. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Math with a concentration in computer science. Before retiring in November 2019, Kathy spent most of her career as a contract IT professional in Consular Affairs at the US State Department. Kathy is a returning member of the Executive Board. She has served as VP Panhellenic for quite a few years, and has filled a lot of the officer and committee roles. She has also attended 13 Phi Mu conventions in person! Kathy has always been interested in the arts, taking as many music, art, and theater classes in college as she could. Kathy is an avid decorative painter, which she describes as “painting anything that doesn’t move”! In fact, since retiring, she has finished at least 40 art projects – some she has been storing in her studio for 15 years! She lives in Lorton with her adult son, Stefan.
Laci Wallin, VP of Finance (Kappa Alpha – Mississippi State University). Laci was initiated in 1981, Kappa Alpha Chapter and Mississippi State University. She graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Professional Accountancy. Laci went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (2006) and Master of Science in Nursing-Nursing Education (2014) from Marymount University. Laci is a RN on the Labor and Delivery unit at Inova Alexandria Hospital, where she has been working since graduating from nursing school. Laci is married to John Wallin, Lt. Col. USAF, Retired. John and Laci has four adult children, two beautiful daughters-in-law and five grandchildren. Laci just recently earned a post-graduate certificate in Scottish Heritage from the University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland.
Diane Oliver, VP of Membership (Gamma Theta – James Madison University). Diane was initiated in November of 1978. She graduated from James Madison University in May of 1981 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and later earned her Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities from the University of Virginia. She taught in Fauquier County Schools for her first three years and then finished out her career with 32 years in Fairfax County Public schools, retiring in 2016. She is a native to Northern Virginia having grown up in Annandale and Springfield and having also lived in Fairfax. She currently lives in Centreville with her husband, who is also a retired teacher. They have a son, Ryan, and a daughter, Emily (also a Gamma Theta alumna!) Diane has been active with the Gamma Theta Chapter Association since it was formed to help support the recolonization of the chapter in 2010. She has held the President position for the past seven years. She has served on the Advisory Council for the Gamma Theta chapter and currently serves as the Alumnae Liaison. She has enjoyed connecting with the NOVA Phi Mu alumnae since her retirement and enjoys crafts, antiquing, and travel in her spare time. Personal annual highlights include packing up all the purple and gold for Homecoming weekend at JMU and all the rose and white for a Phi Mu Gamma Theta reunion weekend at Smith Mountain Lake.
Alternate Panhellenic Delegate - VACANT