We would like to spotlight some of our outstanding O∆K female members in honor of Women’s History Month!
Cheryl L. Early, PE
(Michigan Technological University)
Cheryl L. Early, PE, is a respected structural engineer, historic preservation specialist, and dedicated leader whose work has helped safeguard some of our nation’s most meaningful places.
From Macomb County, Michigan, Cheryl graduated magna cum laude from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. As a student, she was initiated into OΔK and held leadership roles in Alpha Gamma Delta, experiences that shaped her lifelong commitment to collaboration, service, and mentorship.
Choosing early in her career to focus on existing structures, Cheryl spent more than twenty years assessing and preserving historic buildings and national treasures across the Midwest and beyond. Her projects have taken her to remarkable sites connected to the Wright Brothers, Henry Ford, President Harry S. Truman, and the family of President Ulysses S. Grant. She has also completed professional assessments of nearly twenty lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes, helping to protect these iconic landmarks for future generations.
Now with Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Cheryl specializes in structural evaluation and historic preservation, combining technical expertise with a passion for mentoring emerging professionals. A recognized preservation professional and active community volunteer, she also leads a long-running food drive that has helped provide more than 141,600 meals for a local food bank.
Cheryl exemplifies OΔK’s ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service, inspiring future generations of women in engineering and beyond.
Regina Lopez
(National Circle)
Regina Lopez is a dedicated nonprofit leader, policy researcher, and veteran advocate whose work strengthens equitable systems for veterans and underserved communities.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Regina brings lived experience to her leadership and advocacy. As Director of Operations and Compliance at Village for Vets in Los Angeles County, she oversees supportive housing and service programs that assist hundreds of veteran households each year, ensuring regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and measurable outcomes. She also serves as a health and human services Surveyor, evaluating programs against international equality standards and helping organizations enhance service delivery for the communities they serve.
Dr. Lopez earned her Doctorate in Law and Policy from Northeastern University, where her research examined systemic gaps contributing to veteran homelessness. She developed a Transition Hierarchy of Needs framework, building on Housing First principles, to better support long-term stability and reintegration.
Regina serves on advisory boards and community initiatives focused on veteran equity, racial justice, and inclusive economic opportunity. Through her leadership, she fosters partnerships among government agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to expand access to housing, healthcare, and employment.
Regina exemplifies OΔK’s ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service, inspiring future generations of leaders committed to equity, advocacy, and community impact.
Jessica E. McClain
(Towson University)
Jessica E. McClain is a distinguished Certified Public Accountant and nonprofit finance executive whose leadership strengthens organizations and communities nationwide.
Jessica currently serves as Chief Financial Officer for the American Staffing Association, where she leads financial strategy and drives organizational performance across the national trade association. Previously, she was CFO for Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital, overseeing financial strategy, property management, retail and product operations, and business functions for one of the country’s largest Girl Scout councils. Before transitioning to the nonprofit sector, Jessica spent more than eleven years in public accounting, honing her expertise in finance, operations, and governance.
Deeply committed to advancing the accounting profession, Jessica serves on the AICPA Joint Trial Board and the board of FAR (formerly the Finance and Administration Roundtable). She is also a 2024–2025 Obama Foundation U.S.A. Leader. Her leadership and impact have been widely recognized, including honors as a Rising Star by the CFO Leadership Council, the George Wallace National Achievement in Non-Profit Award from NABA, and multiple CPA Practice Advisor 40 Under 40 and Most Powerful Women in Accounting distinctions.
Jessica exemplifies OΔK’s ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service, inspiring future generations of women in finance and nonprofit leadership through her vision, expertise, and commitment to excellence.
Michelle Morris
(Stephen F. Austin State University)
Michelle Morris is an innovative chef, entrepreneur, and dedicated leader whose work empowers women and transforms communities through food and business.
Michelle is the owner and executive chef of Southern Cadence Cuisine and Well Done Cooking Classes, where she crafts unforgettable milestone events and leads Houston-based culinary classes that bring food enthusiasts together to sharpen their skills and create lasting memories. A proud boss mom and entrepreneur, her journey began after a life-changing layoff from a corporate chef role. With the support of her husband, Michelle turned a challenge into opportunity, purchasing a cooking school and building a business that reflects her passion, creativity, and commitment to family and community.
Beyond the kitchen, Michelle founded The Thrive Tribe and Michelle Chats, platforms designed to empower women entrepreneurs to connect, grow, and thrive. Through these initiatives, she has cultivated a supportive community where women at all stages of business share insights, gain inspiration, and collaborate on their journeys to success.
Michelle exemplifies OΔK’s ideals of leadership, scholarship, and service, inspiring future generations of women to embrace grit, grace, and innovation. When she’s not orchestrating culinary magic or building communities, Michelle continues to dream boldly, working toward her goal of expanding to five locations in five years while mentoring and uplifting others along the way.
