Mary Euler, PharmD, FAPhA, formally stepped down as the Executive Director of Phi Lambda Sigma, the Pharmacy Leadership Society, on June 30, 2020. Dr. Euler had served in this role since the Spring of 1999 and has guided the organization through tremendous growth during her tenure.
Incoming Executive Director, Brandon Jennings, PharmD, BCACP, who has worked with Mary on the National Executive Committee for the past 7 years commented, “Mary is such an amazing leader and role model for me and so many pharmacists in our profession. She has had a strong commitment to the Society and helping it to grow over the last 20+ years. It brings me such pleasure to know that we are continuing to work to make her dreams for the Society come true, like a stand-alone Annual Meeting. Whether she is in a formal role with the Society or not, Dr. Euler will continue to have an influence on Phi Lambda Sigma and the Profession of Pharmacy!”
Following the virtual 45th House of Delegates on April 19, 2020, Dr. Euler was honored during the awards ceremony with a speech by friend, colleague, and former PLS treasurer, Alan Spies, RPh, JD, MBA, Ph.D.:
"When I look to a leader, especially one who has served an organization for the duration Mary has, I ask myself 2 questions regarding that leader:
Who, if any, is following the leader?
Is the organization better, worse or the same now than when the leader first assumed the role?
In answering these questions for Dr. Mary Euler and her time as Executive Director of Phi Lambda Sigma, it becomes very apparent that Mary's legacy will live on for generations to come. What a gift she is to PLS and to our profession!
First, it is impossible to quantify Mary's influence and impact on our profession but let's make an attempt. If we look at merely PLS initiates during her 20+ years as Executive Director, the number exceeds 20,000 new members to the organization. Given Mary's influence beyond PLS, these numbers are easily doubled as Mary replicates leaders. Who is following Mary? Tens of thousands of people, including me.
These numbers do not even begin to capture the person Mary Euler is to all she meets. Her selfless nature and love for seeing others thrive inspires all. Dr. Euler invests in people and does so because she loves to do it! Mary cannot be replaced for her love of PLS and our profession remains as strong today as when she first took the reins some 20 years ago. Thank you Mary for never losing the passion to serve.
My favorite leadership quote is such a depiction of Mary and who she is:
"If you want to build a ship, don't drum up men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." - Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Thank you Mary for teaching me and so many others to yearn for the vast and endless sea."
Dr. Euler has agreed to continue to support the Society as Associate Executive Director and she will continue to be a valuable resource for all elected and appointed positions. She starts in that role immediately.
Phi Lambda Sigma was established in 1965 to develop leadership qualities among pharmacy students and pharmacists and to recognize leaders in the profession. The elected offices within the National Executive Committee also includes President: Jordan Ballou, PharmD, BCACP (University of Mississippi); President-Elect: Michael Mueller, Ph.D. (LECOM – Bradenton Campus); Speaker of the House: Alakai Montalbo, PharmD Candidate (Idaho State University); Members-at-Large: Rashid Abdoh, PharmD Candidate (Texas A&M University) and Kira Voyer, PharmD Candidate (University of Buffalo). Appointed officers and staff members include Executive Director: Brandon Jennings, PharmD, BCACP (Abilyn Consulting, LLC, Winchester, VA); Associate Executive Director: Mary Euler, PharmD, FAPhA (West Virginia University); Director of Professional Development: Katelyn Shatz, PharmD, MBA, BCPS (Bay Pines VA Healthcare System, St. Petersburg, FL); Parliamentarian: Anthony Declue, PharmD (Medical University of South Carolina); and Treasurer: Jaclyn Cole, PharmD, BCPS (University of South Florida).
