Meet the NOVA Executive Board
Front Row L-R: Kathy Bacskay, Natalie Rivera, Carolyn Gleason
Back Row L-R: Kathryn Parker Martin, Jess Danyo
Not Pictured: Laci Wallin, Andrea Martinez
Back Row L-R: Kathryn Parker Martin, Jess Danyo
Not Pictured: Laci Wallin, Andrea Martinez
Jess Danyo, President (Gamma Delta – American University). Jess was initiated in March 2005. She majored in International Studies and minored in Biology. She currently works as the Foreign Military Sales Deputy at the F-35 Joint Program Office. Jess lives in Alexandria, near Mt Vernon, with her husband, Travis. She loves to travel and has been to multiple countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia as well as many places in the US. Jess and Travis also foster dogs through Lu's Labs Labrador Retriever Rescue. Their dog, Scout, who was a foster “fail” has become the unofficial NOVA Alumnae Chapter mascot! They try to go for a walk every day to get some sunshine/Vitamin D. Jess also enjoys cooking with most of her current recipes coming from either the internet or social media. She has also started making some of her mom's old recipes healthier although she admits to loving chocolate and sweets!
Kathryn Parker Martin, VP of Programming (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.
Carolyn Gleason, VP of Communications (Delta Psi – Wright State University). Carolyn was initiated in December 1982. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and went on to pursue an MBA from Wright State and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. Carolyn retired in February 2021 after 34 years as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force. During the last 10 years of her career, she served as a member of the Senior Executive Service – retiring as the civilian equivalent of a 2-Star General. Since retiring, Carolyn is enjoying cross stitch, cooking more, organizing family photos, and taking daily walks. She has been married to Howard for 30 years and they have one daughter Grace (26). The Gleason’s live in Fair Oaks and are proud “grandparents” to Grace’s kitties, Poppy and Boots.
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 Unit Supervisor in Labor and Delivery 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 have four kids, Anna (36), John Richard (35, Maj. USAF), Mason (30, Capt. USAF) and Michael (29, Capt. USAF). They are also the proud grandparents of Ellie Jane, Liam Michael, Ava Nichole, Noah Joseph, and Landon Henry Mason. In her spare time, Laci is working on her dissertation for her Master’s Litt Degree through University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland, in Scottish Heritage (just for fun) and hikes a lot.
Natalie Rivera, VP of Membership (Theta Gamma – Florida International University). Natalie was initiated in Fall 2016. She majored in Finance and minored in Health Services 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, in the hopes to add to her rock collection. 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. She has a very close-knit family and she’s a proud daughter of two immigrants. Her sister, Ashley, is a legacy in the same chapter!
Alternate Panhellenic Delegate - VACANT
Kathryn Parker Martin, VP of Programming (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.
Carolyn Gleason, VP of Communications (Delta Psi – Wright State University). Carolyn was initiated in December 1982. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and went on to pursue an MBA from Wright State and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University. Carolyn retired in February 2021 after 34 years as a civilian with the U.S. Air Force. During the last 10 years of her career, she served as a member of the Senior Executive Service – retiring as the civilian equivalent of a 2-Star General. Since retiring, Carolyn is enjoying cross stitch, cooking more, organizing family photos, and taking daily walks. She has been married to Howard for 30 years and they have one daughter Grace (26). The Gleason’s live in Fair Oaks and are proud “grandparents” to Grace’s kitties, Poppy and Boots.
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 Unit Supervisor in Labor and Delivery 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 have four kids, Anna (36), John Richard (35, Maj. USAF), Mason (30, Capt. USAF) and Michael (29, Capt. USAF). They are also the proud grandparents of Ellie Jane, Liam Michael, Ava Nichole, Noah Joseph, and Landon Henry Mason. In her spare time, Laci is working on her dissertation for her Master’s Litt Degree through University of Highlands and Islands, Inverness, Scotland, in Scottish Heritage (just for fun) and hikes a lot.
Natalie Rivera, VP of Membership (Theta Gamma – Florida International University). Natalie was initiated in Fall 2016. She majored in Finance and minored in Health Services 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, in the hopes to add to her rock collection. 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. She has a very close-knit family and she’s a proud daughter of two immigrants. Her sister, Ashley, is a legacy in the same chapter!
Alternate Panhellenic Delegate - VACANT