Alix Smith was elected first vice president of the International Chapter of the P.E.O. Sisterhood at the organization’s biennial convention Sept. 21-23 in Pittsburgh.

Smith, a Scottsdale resident, is a member of P.E.O. Chapter AY in Phoenix.

As first vice president, Smith provides guidance to the P.E.O. Foundation and serves as ex-officio member of the Cottey College board of trustees.

Smith graduated from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff with a bachelor’s degree in accountancy in 1992. In 1999, she graduated from Arizona State University in Tempe with a master’s degree in taxation. Smith is a Certified Public Accountant and is employed as the Chief Executive Officer for Salt River Devco, a real estate development and asset management company owned by the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, adjacent to Scottsdale. Smith has been involved in commercial real estate finance and accounting for over 20 years.

P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization) has been celebrating women helping women reach for the stars for more than 150 years. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 122,000 women pursue educational goals by providing more than $415 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. The Sisterhood also owns and supports Cottey College. Through membership, the P.E.O. Sisterhood has brought together more than a half a million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education, while supporting and motivating them. In addition to the educational philanthropies, the P.E.O. Sisterhood provides a framework of support and community for all members.

What started with a bond of friendship among seven women in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in North America with close to 6,000 chapters.

To learn more about P.E.O., its educational philanthropies and see stories of women who have benefited from the programs, visit peointernational.org.