When I was installed as N'siah, I imagined a year filled with successful programs, packed events, and a chapter that was constantly growing. While there were certainly moments that matched that vision, leadership turned out to be much more than checking goals off a list. It became a year of learning, adapting, and discovering that some of the most important lessons come from the moments that don't go according to plan.

Serving as N'siah challenged me in ways I never expected. I learned how to facilitate board meetings, make difficult decisions, balance different leadership styles, and support a board that was working toward the same mission from different perspectives. More than anything, I learned that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening, being willing to adjust, and showing up consistently for the people around you.

Looking back, there are definitely things I would have done differently.

One of my biggest takeaways is the importance of delegation. Because I cared so deeply about our chapter, I often felt responsible for making sure everything got done. Sometimes that meant taking on more than I needed to instead of trusting others to step up. Over time, I realized that the strongest leaders aren't the ones who do everything themselves. They're the ones who empower others to lead alongside them.

Communication is another area where I know I could have grown. While our board accomplished so much together, there were moments when expectations weren't as clear as they could have been or information didn't reach everyone as effectively as I hoped. I've learned that strong communication isn't just about sending reminders. It's about creating systems that help everyone feel informed, prepared, and connected to the bigger picture.

Even with those lessons, I couldn't be prouder of everything our board accomplished together. Every program, every board meeting, every challenge, and every celebration helped shape the leader I am today. Leadership isn't measured by having a perfect term. It's measured by your willingness to grow through every success and every setback.

That growth didn't stop when my term ended.

This summer, attending ILTC has completely reshaped the way I think about leadership. Every day has introduced new ideas that I wish I had known a year ago, and that's one of the most exciting parts of leadership: realizing there's always more to learn.

One of the biggest influences has been my Blueprint. Through countless conversations, feedback sessions, and workshops, they've shown me practical leadership skills that I know I'll carry with me long after this summer. I've learned how important it is to build a strong, organized calendar that balances programming, traditions, and intentional planning rather than simply filling dates. I've also learned something that every leader hears but doesn't always know how to handle: sometimes the answer is "no."

Whether it's hearing "no" from members, parents, advisors, or even yourself, I've realized that rejection isn't the end of an idea. It's an opportunity to rethink it, improve it, or find another path forward. Leadership requires resilience just as much as creativity, and learning how to respond to setbacks with flexibility is one of the greatest lessons I'll take away from ILTC.

As I step into my new role as Mazkirah, I'm excited to bring those lessons home.

I want to create systems that make communication more consistent and accessible for every member. I want our calendars to be intentional, our information to be organized, and our chapter history to be preserved so future leaders can continue building on what came before them. Most importantly, I want every member to feel connected to what's happening in our chapter and know that their voice matters.

Stepping away from the presidency has also reminded me that leadership isn't defined by a title. You don't stop being a leader when your term ends. Leadership continues through mentorship, collaboration, and the willingness to keep learning.

If my year as N'siah taught me how to lead, ILTC taught me how to lead better.

I'm incredibly grateful for both experiences because together they've reminded me that growth doesn't happen all at once. It happens through every challenge, every conversation, every success, every "no," and every opportunity to begin again. As I look ahead to serving as Mazkirah, I'm excited to continue learning, continue growing, and continue giving back to the chapter that has given me so much.