Indianapolis, April 22, 2025 – The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) jointly announce a significant staff leadership transition.
FFE Executive Director Ashley VanDewark will be stepping down from her role to join Tri Delta’s team as the Chief of Staff. With the vacancy created by her departure, Will Foran has been appointed to the role of FFE Executive Director.
VanDewark has been a valued member of the NIC/FFE team since 2017. During her tenure she implemented major changes for FFE including the adoption of a new brand; growth of flagship programs; the successful completion of the Foundation’s first strategic plan; maintained and developed meaningful connections through the NIC/FFE Alliance Partner program; and was instrumental in leading the Amplifying Sorority Campaign (ASC).
Since 2022, Foran has served the NIC as Chief Operating Officer. Throughout his nearly 20 years on the NIC team, he has worked closely with fraternity/sorority life professionals, institutional administrators, NIC member organizations and the Governing Council, the NIC Campus Support team, as well as industry stakeholders and partners to enhance and elevate the fraternity experience for the future.
“I have had the honor of working closely with Ashley over the past eight years as Alpha Chi Omega Foundation’s chief development officer and member of the FFE board. It was evident the day we met that she was personally invested in my success — and I know others have felt that same support from her. She is passionate about the success of FFE, and her leadership has helped the organization accomplish great things to move the industry forward. I wish her nothing but the best!
“Change is hard but creates opportunity. I believe that Will will continue to move FFE in a positive direction with the support of a professional staff well-equipped to deliver best-in-class programs and services for our member organizations and Alliance Partners. I am excited about the new opportunities created for our staff and FFE,” said FFE President Marsha Grady.
With this shift in leadership, Russell Best, who has served as a Vice President of Campus Support since 2022, has been promoted to the role of NIC Chief Operating Officer and will oversee the Campus Support team and the NIC’s Engage initiative.
Desiree Paulhamus has also accepted the role of FFE Assistant Executive Director in which she will continue to oversee FFE’s flagship programs — Seminar, Summit, Advance and Aspire — industry survey data collection and assume VanDewark’s role in supporting ASC fundraising efforts.
Additionally, Hillary Brewer will now serve as Chief Communications Officer of the NIC and FFE. She will continue to support the strategic communication initiatives of both entities and assume VanDewark’s role supporting the ASC Research Committee.
Lastly, a new role will be created in the coming months to strengthen and enhance communications and public relations with the goal of further sharing the value of the fraternal experience.
Foran will begin transitioning into the FFE Executive Director role effective immediately and can be reached at will.foran@foundationfe.org; VanDewark’s last day as a member of the NIC/FFE team will be on May 16.
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The North American Interfraternity Conference is the trade association representing 60 inter/national men’s fraternities. The NIC’s member organizations boast more than 6,000 chapters located on more than 550 campuses in the United States and Canada, with approximately 250,000 undergraduate members and nearly 4.2 million alumni.
The Foundation for Fraternal Excellence is comprised of more than 65 men’s, women’s and co-ed fraternal educational foundations and operates to advance the various needs of the dynamic industry. FFE provides operational support for new and emerging fraternal foundations, working hand-in-hand with various fraternal communities and the NIC to strengthen and improve the entire fraternity/sorority experience through culture of care, connection and research.
