The Top Region Supervisor Award recognizes the Region Supervisor who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, dedication, and support in fostering chapter success and strengthening regional connections that helped their Region earn Top Region. At the 2025 Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, this honor was proudly presented to Deborah Ebbinghaus, whose outstanding guidance has helped Region 2 achieve remarkable growth and back-to-back recognition as Top Region.

Known for her organization, her constant availability, and her genuine care for her chapters, Deborah has spent years building a culture of connection, growth. She gave us a candid and heartfelt look at what makes Region 2 shine, what keeps her inspired, and how she leads with both purpose and personality.

How long have you been a Region Supervisor?

Deborah: This is my sixth year as a Region Supervisor.

How would you describe your role as a Region Supervisor and what it means to you?

Deborah: “My role as a region supervisor is to guide my student leaders, whether that is helping to navigate changes within the chapter, the school, or LKS or nudging the chapter to try new things, or simply being a resource (in life and in LKS). 

As for what being a region supervisor means to me, it’s been more than I could have imagined. I started this journey briefly as an alternate region supervisor and then unexpectedly was called up to take over Region 2. I started in 2020, so honestly the meetings with my students, GVPC Justine, and the other region supervisors were basically my whole social life. So in part, being a region supervisor embodies sisterhood across the years and the distances. It also means leadership and integrity because there have been some challenging situations that have forced me to grow particularly in my perspective and in being in a position of authority, but also in how to inspire and encourage others.”

What does your support for chapters typically look like throughout the year?

Deborah: “It’s like any other region! We have our monthly video meetings all together and one chapter a month has a one-on-one meeting with me.I also make sure to not skip any months when there might be less going on (breaks, beginning/end of the year). Usually there are some additional chats that happen when situations come up or a region supervisor visit is due (lots of extra face time with those).”

What strategies or approaches have you found most effective in helping chapters succeed?

Deborah: “I’ve been very lucky that my chapters over the years have typically been self-motivated. I am not beyond encouraging some friendly intra-region competition, though. In all seriousness, reminders are one of my mainstays. The caveat to reminders is, however, figuring out who will be responsible and responsive— the president may not always be that person and that is okay, delegation is a necessary skill.”

How do you support chapters that need a little extra guidance?

Deborah: “We have extra chats (email, phone, text, video)! Depending on the situation, I also make sure to loop in others when their knowledge or perspective may be helpful.”

Region 2 has been Top Region two years in a row—what’s the secret?

Deborah: “A few years ago I told my chapters that they needed to have Chapter of the Year as their goal. However, I have been so lucky that my leaders have really wanted to reach for the stars of their own volition. Region 2 also has always been very supportive of one another sharing ideas and resources.”

What qualities make Region 2 stand out?

Deborah: Organization! It might sound simple, but it makes a huge difference. My chapters constantly push themselves to do better. They ask thoughtful questions like “How can this be improved?” or “Is this still working for us?” Even when challenges come up, each chapter puts in the effort to move forward.

How do you encourage collaboration and connection?

Deborah: “Region 2 is lucky that all the chapters are relatively geographically close. However, it also really helps that every year the sisters who attend Convention from the region really get to know each other & that the chapters have national engagement or inter-chapter committees to make sure those connections within the region (and beyond) stay cherished.”

What’s been the most rewarding part of being a Region Supervisor?

Deborah: “It might sound cliché, but the most rewarding part of being a region supervisor is seeing each student leader grow. Since I’ve had the same region for 6 years, I have students that I have now known for their entire pharmacy school journey. I get to watch my LKS sisters grow from new members to committee chairs to officers to alumni members.”

Have your chapters taught you anything along the way?

Deborah: “For sure! Each chapter is different (and each executive board, too) in how they do things and what kind of support they need; an urban school, a commuter school, a rural school, a state school, a small school, a long-standing chapter, a newly formed chapter, a chapter with lots of school support, a chapter with little school support, each will have different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to any chapter function. It is not all apples to apples!”

What advice would you give to future Region Supervisors?

Deborah: Be available and be real, honest and open with your chapters, the GVPC, HQ, and advisors. Those connections will be what make the difference.”