Cornell Delta Gamma
Celebrating 140 Years "Doing Good" at Cornell
REALTALK Annual Speaker Series
With the goal of having a substantial and meaningful impact on Cornell as part of our chapter’s philanthropic legacy, Delta Gamma established an endowment fund with Cornell in the Fall of 2021. Our endowment fund is the largest ever created by a group of undergraduate students at Cornell!
The endowment provides funding, in perpetuity, for a speaker series called “REALTALK,” which we design, develop and deliver in partnership, each year, with the Cornell Gender Equity Resource Center (GenEq, formerly known as the Cornell Women’s Resource Center). See our REALTALK programs to date, below.
The mission of REALTALK is “to present Relatable, Empowering, Authentic Leaders who share candid personal stories which engage, inspire and enhance the mental health of the diverse community of Cornell women.” We are the first and only Cornell sorority to sponsor an annual speaker series on campus.
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Through REALTALK, DG and GenEq are ensuring relevant issues will be raised and impactful solutions shared for generations to come!​ Any tax-deductible donations to the Delta Gamma Annual Speaker Fund are much appreciated and will ensure the REALTALK program evolves and grows over time.
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To view quick highlight reels and/or full-length recordings of the REALTALK programs to date, go to the list below or go to REALTALK’s Video On Demand Channel.
REALTALK 2024
"Thriving Through Community"
Cornell alumnae speakers: Danya Contreras, ENG ’13 (4th year medical student) and Michelladonna, Dyson ’20 (writer, comedian, actor, community activist), sharing personal experiences as first-generation students who harnessed the power of their communities to gain confidence, generate opportunities and achieve important social change while at Cornell and today. Cornell student moderators: Kassandra Robledo (CAS ’25) and Laurel Thun (HEC ’26 and Delta Gamma).
​·Highlight Reel (3 min)
Full Event (60 min)​​​​
REALTALK 2023
"Staying True to You"
Cornell alumnae speakers: Alyssa Gagliardi Sleasman , CALS ’14 (men’s professional hockey coach) and Irene Li , CAS College Scholar ’15 (chef, author, entrepreneur) sharing vital strategies and key advantages to maintaining your authenticity and upholding your core values -- particularly when facing challenges or compromise in the workplace. Cornell student moderators: Alexa Buten (CAS '24 and Delta Gamma) and Maddy Demers (CALS '25)
·Highlight Reel (4 min)
Full Event (60 min)​​​​​
REALTALK 2022
"Personal Journeys to Well-Being"
Guest speakers: Imani McGee-Stafford (former WNBA player and attorney) and Cameron Rogers (content creator and podcaster of the Freckled Foodie & Friends) sharing insights and strategies about their mental health journeys to well-being through self-care and acceptance. Cornell student moderators: Brittany Coffman (CAS ’22, MBA ’23 & Delta Gamma) and Laura Chang (CAS ’23)
·Highlight Reel (3 min)
Full Event (60 min)​​​
