Shelley Sutherland

Co-founder of the House Director’s Conference

Shelley Sutherland began her career as a leadership consultant for Alpha Phi International Fraternity before earning a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of Denver. In 1972, she became a Sorority Advisor at Indiana State University and made history a year later as the first woman to advise fraternities. Her groundbreaking leadership included attending and leading a fraternity men’s leadership conference as the only female participant, which inspired her to co-create a women’s version. By 1979, Shelley and her peers launched a women’s leadership conference that eventually merged with its male counterpart to become one of the nation’s foremost leadership events, now attended by over 4,000 people annually.

Throughout her career, Shelley championed professional development for Greek life. She played a key role in establishing the Association of Fraternity and Sorority Advisors (AFA) in 1976, serving as its first dues-paying member, officer, and president in 1983. At the University of Oregon, where she worked from 1988 until her retirement, Shelley continued to advance the fraternity and sorority movement. Her legacy includes the creation of the Shelley Sutherland Scholarship, which honors Greek leaders who exemplify scholarship, leadership, and service.

Shelley’s contributions extend beyond higher education. She co-founded the House Director Association, developing a conference that has become the premier professional development opportunity for house directors nationwide. Recognized with numerous awards, including the AFA’s highest honor, The Shaeffer Award, Shelley remains active in retirement in El Paso, Texas, where she serves in leadership roles for historical organizations, consults for Greek-related initiatives, and enjoys time with her family.