If there’s one phrase Lynnette sticks by, its “Once a consultant, always a consultant.” All throughout her Deltasig career and life, she continues to teach and lead others to the best path to success, often “consulting” members to connect deeper with each other. Her deep tie to the Fraternity started when she was initiated into the Epsilon Phi Chapter at Cal State University-Sacramento (then known as Sacramento State) in 1987.

Her initiation and commitment would go on to be her guiding light through her Deltasig journey. “I pledged the Fraternity, and the terminology is key, because you can join a club, you can leave at any time, but when you pledge and go through a process. It's a lifelong commitment with an oath.”

After meeting her chapter’s then Regional Director (now called Regional Vice President), and helping at a regional event, she decided Deltasig was the place for her. “I was still kind of shy, but I grew from it. I grew from the fact that I was no longer in just a female organization [Lynnette was also a leader of another organization as a student]. I had both male and female peers that were stronger, tougher, and challenged me all the time. It was a push I needed, and I grew quite a bit.”

Lynnette went on to serve as chapter secretary then to Senior Vice President. During this time, she recruited one of the largest initiation classes and ended her time in college as Chapter President. She also credits the Deltasig scholarship she received as a student to help her succeed and graduate college.

Lynnette’s connection to her chapter and the brotherhood they had with each other went above and beyond—they were family. When she graduated, she wasn’t ready to stop leading and working with chapters and when the consultant job was suggested to her by national officers, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to share her brotherhood bond with other Deltasigs.

Before she joined the Central Office in 1989, she had no idea she was coming in as the first female chapter consultant, let alone the first female brother to serve as a Central Office employee. Lynnette felt pressure, especially coming from a chapter with women and then working in a more male-dominated environment. “I felt a major weight on my shoulders, because at that time, women had only been initiated as members for 14 years, and now I was in the spotlight as the first female consultant. We still had some all-male chapters, and there were a large portion of alumni still trying to adjust to women in the Fraternity—especially on the national level. I felt like I was in a fish bowl.”

From the start, Lynnette was determined to show she was just as capable as previous consultants, regardless of gender. She decided from the beginning she would do whatever was best for the Fraternity and keep the oath she made as a collegiate member, even if it meant taking the backseat in recognition. One example of this was when she was first hired, she declined to her introduction page in The Deltasig magazine, which was customary for new consultants.

“I wanted to show the leadership and the alumni across the country that business is business, and its brains, not brawn. I wanted to prove that you can be successful in the organization, and it doesn’t matter your gender. Today, the bulk of those officers at that the time said I made the right decision, because I sacrificed my notoriety for what was best for the Fraternity at the time. To me, that’s what brotherhood is supposed to be.”

As a consultant, Lynnette made impacts in Deltasig history that are still visible today, proving her “brains.” Some of the most notable moments from her time include working with other consultants to develop OTiS (Officer Training Schools). The first OTiS, offered in 1990, was designed to help chapter officers develop and enhance their chapters individually and the Fraternity as a whole. This program was the stepping stone to programs like CDL (Certified Deltasig Leader Training), LEAD events, and Presidents’ Academy.

“We traveled around the country in the summertime and introduced OTiS to teach chapters and chapters officers how to do their jobs, and coach district directors…when I got CDL certified, I saw the same words and processes we developed. My words still exist, which is how I know I’ve made an impact.”

During her two years as a consultant, Lynnette had many striking memories of meeting with brothers. Some of her favorites are bringing a stuffed pink flamingo with her to each chapter she visited and snapping a picture with each chapter (she’s currently working on a scrapbook of all the photos), working at Grand Chapter Congress as a staff member and having to plan when she would have time to get ready for the banquet, developing deep bonds with her fellow consultants, and making connections that still last today.

Today, Lynnette works as a senior claim representative at Farmers Insurance. She previously served as District Director for various chapters (Cal State-Sacramento and California Lutheran) and is always willing to lend a helping hand to those in the Fraternity who need it because in her words, “I took an oath.”

While working with chapters as a volunteer, she urges them to think of the bigger picture and encourages young Deltasigs to push themselves to grow and own every step of their path. “Everybody's the first to tell when something has succeeded, but if something falters, there's no ownership. Failure is looked upon negatively, but you need to own it to have a learning experience, and that's what I try to teach. You can fail or succeed, but more importantly you must own it. Growth only comes with owning it…Owning it with humility is the path to be becoming an inspiring leader.”

Lynnette’s impact spans decades, which is proven by the members she inspired below:

"Lynnette was never my District Director on paper, but she shaped my entire path. As I think about the impact she made in the past, the influence she has now, and how she continues to inspire, I see everything our brotherhood teaches. She builds better brothers, better chapters, and a better Fraternity. Because of the service and spirit, she carries into everything she does, the world is better." —Joshua Sanchez, California Lutheran

“Lynnette has been a mentor to me and an exemplary brother, dedicating countless hours to the brotherhood. As one of the first female leaders to emerge from our brotherhood, she has paved the way for others with grace, strength, and unwavering dedication. It has been a privilege to learn from her and to share time in this brotherhood with her. ” —Alex Zavala, California Lutheran

I remember many years ago when Dean Ferguson, Georgia State, introduced me to Lynnette, I found her ability to listen, help solve issues, and be a consistent resource, very valuable.  At that time, we were both working with Startup Groups, and she was a helpful sound board. To me what stood out about her, was her focusing on simply being a brother above all else. —Steve Black, Eastern Illinois

I have had the honor of serving alongside Brother Servas as a District Director.  She is truly a team player and does what is needed to further the brotherhood, knowledge and learning. I am proud Lynnette is being honored as part of this celebration. She continues to give tremendously to our brotherhood.” — Richard Boner, Cal State-Fullerton

"Lynnette has always put brotherhood as the preeminent building block of our organization, which is why I am so proud to call her a brother." — Paul Garcia, Southern California

Throughout her Deltasig journey, Lynnette has held true to her values. To her, leadership is a willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of an organization and make decisions for the Fraternity as a whole—and those decisions are never based on ego. Thanks to Lynnette, so many doors for Deltasig women were opened, but to her it’s important those doors stay open for others, and the Fraternity continues to grow and develop a strong brotherhood. 

To honor this monumental anniversary, Delta Sigma Pi is providing informational and historical profiles about some of the dedicated Deltasigs of our organization— all throughout the year. Stay up to date for new updates every week!  Check back next week to hear about more amazing women in Delta Sigma Pi as we celebrate 50 years of women being initiated into Delta Sigma Pi.

Purchase the 50 years of women pin for only $15 with FREE shipping! Limit quantity. Visit dsp.org/shop

Lynnette and her chapter paid their way to go to the 37^th Grand Chapter Congress in St. Louis. Here they are pictured at the St. Louis Cardinals/Atlanta Braves baseball game at Busch Memorial Stadium in 1989.

Lynnette poses with candy at an event after a long session.