Delta Zeta Announces Retirement of CEO Cindy Winslow Menges After 40 Years of Dedicated Service; Appoints Michelle Albrecht Smith, CEO, Effective January 1, 2027

Oxford, Ohio – Delta Zeta Sorority, with a 124-year history of fostering sisterhood, leadership and service, announced the retirement of CEO, Cindy Winslow Menges, Alpha, Miami University, after more than 40 years of dedicated service to the organization. Cindy will retire as Chief Executive Officer on December 31, 2026.

“Under Cindy’s leadership and service, she strengthened Delta Zeta’s sisterhood, expanded opportunities for members to grow and lead, and had a profound impact on Delta Zeta’s within the interfraternal community,” said Cathy Painter, National President, Delta Zeta. “Her vision, commitment and legacy benefited generations of Delta Zeta sisters, and she will be greatly missed.”

“Serving Delta Zeta has been one of the greatest privileges of my life,” said Cindy Menges, CEO, Delta Zeta. “I am grateful to have worked with such talented staff, volunteers, and sisters, and I’m confident in the Delta Zeta’s leadership as the organization continues to move forward and fulfill its mission of being of a global women’s organization.”

As we honor Cindy’s extraordinary career, we are also proud to announce that the National Council has unanimously appointed Michelle Albrecht Smith, Alpha Chi, University of California, Los Angeles, as our next Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2027. A Past National President and current National House Corporation President, Michelle has devoted a lifetime of service to Delta Zeta. Her leadership journey began as a traveling consultant and has included service as College Chapter Director, National Recruitment Chairman, Extension Chairman and Membership Development Chairman, among many other roles. She brings deep experience across every facet of the Sorority, from collegiate operations and housing to the Foundation, where she also served as a past capital campaign chairman. In addition, Michelle has held several volunteer roles with the National Panhellenic Conference, most recently as a College Area Advisor. 

“It is a true honor and privilege to lead Delta Zeta,” said Michelle Smith, incoming CEO. “I look forward to fostering growth and ensuring our sisterhood, service and leadership continue to thrive for generations to come.”

In addition to her distinguished service to Delta Zeta, Michelle is also an accomplished business leader. With more than 30 years in the escrow industry, she has led several escrow companies, including her current role as head of the Los Alamitos, California, Trustpoint Escrow office, where she launched a new company and achieved profitability in its first year. Previously, she served as president and general manager of Castlehead Escrow in Lakewood, California, where she spent most of her career leading a company with 17 offices across Southern California.  

Michelle is widely respected as a strong relationship builder who brings a growth mindset and visionary leadership to all she undertakes. She also brings executive experience and a strategic, member-first perspective that will help guide the Sorority forward. Her deep knowledge of Delta Zeta, paired with her passion for advancing our mission, uniquely prepares her to lead us into the future. 

“The National Council is honored that Michelle will continue to lead our organization forward in this new capacity,” added Painter. “She has a strong legacy of leadership in Delta Zeta and we are honored to have her at the helm of Delta Zeta.”

About Delta Zeta

Delta Zeta Sorority is a global women’s organization whose shared values support a vision to truly inspire action and impact lives through leadership, service and philanthropy. Founded on Miami University’s campus in Oxford, Ohio in 1902, the Sorority has more than 320,000 members in the United States and Canada. The Delta Zeta Foundation, a non-profit organization, makes possible gifts and support for scholarships, leadership, philanthropy and education. The Delta Zeta National Housing Corporation provides safe housing and chapter facilities for more than 2,000 collegiate students on more than 70 campuses. Learn more about our mission at deltazeta.org. For more information about the Delta Zeta Foundation, visit deltazeta.org/foundation.