Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania

The Board of Directors sets policy for the council. It is made up of volunteers, except for the Chief Executive Officer. The CEO runs the council and a senior management team oversees the daily operations of the council.

Board Chair

Carolyn Warman ● York

Carolyn Warman has served as a GSHPA board member since May 2007. She has held the following positions over the years – Board Development Committee Chair, Diversity Task Group Chair, Executive Compensation Task Group Chair, and Vice Chair.

In the past, Carolyn has served on several nonprofit boards including the York Rotary Club, York Nonprofit Management Development Center, York Suburban Communities That Care, Junior League of York, Child Abuse Council of York County, and St. John’s Episcopal Church.

She was involved in Girl Scouting herself as a girl in Nation’s Capital, achieving a First Class award and now is a lifetime Girl Scout member. While her daughter was a Scout she enjoyed camping and serving as the Cookie Mom. She also participated in Penn Laurel’s Council Performance Assessment process.

Carolyn is Executive Director at Leadership York in York, PA. Since 2000, she has worked with board and staff members to train and support individuals who have the desire to serve the community in leadership positions. Over 2,700 Leadership York graduates serve in leadership roles with over 200 nonprofit and public sector organizations.

She is the winner of the Community Leadership Association’s 2008 Preceptor Award, which recognizes executives for their outstanding communication skills, creativity, trusteeship, strong principles and dedication to the concept of strengthening and transforming communities.

Carolyn holds a B.A. degree from Gettysburg College and has completed courses at Harvard Business School and BoardSource.

Vice Chair

Karen F. Snider ● Mechanicsburg

Karen Snider brings over 40 years of progressively responsible experience in human services management, policy development and large-scale operations. Her expertise includes program development and management and systems changes. She has an intimate knowledge of state government.

Currently, Karen is the President of Susquehanna Consulting and Financial Group, Inc. SCFG is a premiere firm in Pennsylvania, providing innovative management, program and financial consultation to a myriad of organizations in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. SCFG is also certified as a Pennsylvania Woman’s Business Enterprise. Karen’s experience within the Department of Public Welfare and as the Chief Operating Officer of the largest nonprofit human services organization in the Commonwealth is at the core of the company.

From 1991 to 1995 Karen served as Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. In that capacity, Karen managed an $11 billion annual budget and led 27,000 employees in 150 work locations throughout the Commonwealth. Karen has held many other public positions including Deputy Secretary for Mental Health (1998-1991), and Civil Rights Director, Office of Mental Health (1974-1975).

Following her government service and before establishing her own firm, Karen served in leadership positions in the nonprofit sector including as Chief Operating Officer, Northwestern Human Services (1996-2002) and President, Human Services Innovations (1995-1996).

Karen has received at least 15 awards for her service, including two President’s Awards from the Pennsylvania Association of County Human Services Administrators and an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Resources for people with Mental Retardation.  She is a Vice President of the Board of the United Way of the Capital Region, and is a member of the Boards of: The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (chairing its Women’s Fund Initiative grant making committee), the Governor’s Commission on Children and Families; Rotary Club of Harrisburg; Harrisburg School District Foundation; Red Cross of the Susquehanna Valley; and PA 2-1-1.

Karen is a member of GSHPA’s Executive and Fund Development Committees and serves on the 100th Anniversary Steering Committee.

Board Secretary

Laura Muia, PHR ● Archbald

Laura Muia is the Director of Human Resources for GUARD Insurance Group, Inc. Her current responsibilities include oversight of GUARD’s human resource functions, including recruiting, benefits, wellness programs, compensation management, employee relations, payroll and training.

Laura is a graduate of Marywood University and earned her master’s degree in human resources administration from the University of Scranton. She holds the Professional in Human Resources designation through the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is a member of the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of SHRM.

Passionate about Girl Scouting, Laura has held numerous volunteer positions within Girl Scouts, Scranton Pocono Council. She also served as Chair of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts, Scranton Pocono Council and the Council Realignment Committee for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Additionally, Laura serves as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Volunteer in Lackawanna County.

Laura serves on the Executive Committee of GSHPA.

Marion C. Alexander (Hummelstown) has been involved in Girl Scouts as a troop leader for 12 years, most recently leading a troop at the Urban Center. Marion was chair of the first Hemlock Legacy Council Gold Award Event in 1991. She has served on the boards of a number of other community organizations including the United Way of the Capital Region, Whitaker Center, Allied Arts, Susquehanna Art Museum, Goodwill, Family and Children’s Services, YWCA, and Dauphin County Library System.

Marion has received a number of recognitions for her work in the community including the Jefferson Award (2009), Community Supporter of the Arts Award (2003), Central Pennsylvania Fund Raising Council Outstanding Volunteer Award (2002), Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award (1997), John Baum Humanitarian Award (1996), and the Community Child Advocate Award (1995). Marion’s other activities include being the Director and Past President (1989-1990, 1992) of the Historical Society of Dauphin County, the Director and Development Chairman of the Metro Arts, the Founder and Past President (1985-1986) of the Museum of Scientific Discovery, Past Director of the YMCA, and the former Director of the Mental Health Association.

Marion received her Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Methodist University in 1963 and is currently working on her MBA in Accounting and Personnel Management at Pennsylvania State University. She lives in Hummelstown with her husband. They have four adult children and a grandson.

Marion chairs the Fund Development Committee and also serves on the Executive, Property and 100^th Anniversary Committees of GSHPA.

Janice Black (Harrisburg) is the President/CEO of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (formerly The Greater Harrisburg Foundation.)  When she joined the organization as Executive Director in 1994, there were $5.3 million in total assets, and two full-time and two part-time staff. In the intervening years under her leadership, the organization adopted a donor impact model and has grown to be a major flexible philanthropic force in its five-county region of Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Perry and Lebanon Counties. The Foundation now has total assets in excess of $75 million, 14 full-time and one part-time staff, 680 funds and more than 68 projects benefiting the community, including partnerships dealing with AIDS, homelessness, relations with the gay and lesbian communities, and math and science education and early childhood education.

Janice was the District Governor for Rotary District 7390 for 2006-07. She has served as a member of the Rotary Club of Harrisburg, Club #23 in all the world of Rotary for the past 15 years, and was Club President in 2001-02. Over the years, Janice chaired the following committees: Vocational, Community Service, World Fellowship, and Harrisburg Rotary Foundation and as a Lane Chair for the District Committees and Projects.

Janice has been privileged to serve the community in many ways. She was one of ten delegates from the Harrisburg area to travel to Philadelphia to participate in the Summit for America’s Future under the leadership of President Clinton and General Colin Powell, the forerunner of what is now known as America’s Promise Alliance which works to ensure the well-being of children and youth. Janice has also worked extensively to assist nonprofit organizations to build their administrative and managerial capacity and fiscal accountability to better serve their constituents. She works closely with the Mayor of the City of Harrisburg, County Commissioners, state and federal governmental representatives to leverage funds to identify and positively impact critical community needs throughout the region. Janice’s ability to forge community partnerships across sectors is well-known.

Janice serves as Board Member or Advisor with the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Elizabethtown College Leadership Council, Pennsylvania State University’s Master of Health Administration Program Leadership Council, Council on Foundations Research Committee, Harrisburg Academy Community Advisory Board, Delta Dental of Pennsylvania, Graystone Bank Community Advisory Board and the Council for Public Education. She is the recipient of the 2006 Mental Health Association of Central Pennsylvania Tribute Award, the 2003 Woman of Distinction Award from the Hemlock Girl Scout Council, The Rotary Club of Harrisburg Community Service Award in 1997, and the Stanley A. Miller Community Service Award for non-Rotary service in 1997.

Janice holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and a certification in Psychiatric Nursing from the American Nurses Association. She held a number of progressively responsible positions during her nursing career with the latest being the Executive Director of Edgewater Psychiatric Center. She was recognized for her professional achievements in the Who’s Who of Nursing for five consecutive years.

Janice chairs the Audit Committee and serves on the Finance Committee of GSHPA.

Bonnie Burke (Danville) is a community leader from Danville, Pennsylvania, who has been active in Girl Scouting and other organizations for many years. She worked in administrative positions in two law firms – Malcolm & Riley in West Chester and Koch & Foust in Milton – before her 26-career at Bloomsburg University where most recently she was Teacher Certification Coordinator. She retired in January 2011.

Bonnie is Past President for her local Business Professional Women chapter and of the Spins and Needles Fiber Guild. She has been a board member of the Montour Delong Fair Association and of the Sunnybrook Park Association, as well as Vice President of Fishing Creek Herb Guild.

Currently the Service Unit Manager for Danville, Elysburg and Riverside, Bonnie will be retiring from that position following the annual meeting. As a girl she went through Cadettes. She has been an adult Girl Scout for 12 years.

Bonnie is the mother of four children, grandmother of six grandchildren, stepmother of two children, and step-grandmother of two grandchildren. She graduated with a B.S.B.A. in Business Administration from Bloomsburg University.

Bonnie serves on the Board Development Committee of GSHPA.

Sherri T. Button (State College) was a Vice President with PNC Bank, N.A. in State College, PA until April 2013. As a senior asset manager with the Asset Resolution Team, her responsibilities included devising and executing strategies to resolve problem loans with the bank’s Commercial & Industrial portfolio of syndicated credits.  As an asset manager, her role involved analyzing risks and aligning the interests of various stakeholders to achieve an optimal resolution for her institution.  She has more than 20 years of commercial banking experience, primarily in Pennsylvania and Connecticut, which has included positions in loan resolution and commercial real estate loan origination.

Sherri holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Real Estate from the College of Business at The Pennsylvania State University.  She was involved in Girl Scouting for many years while growing up outside of Pittsburgh, PA and has many fond memories of attending Girl Scout camp at Camp Henry Kaufmann in southwestern Pennsylvania.

In the community, Sherri represented her prior employer, Fleet Bank, on the loan committee of Stamford Development Fund, a local not-for-profit organization that provided loans to developers of low and moderate income housing.  She has also served as a member of the Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County Heritage 1 Committee, treasurer of her children’s high school track & field booster club, a volunteer committee member of her community’s Victorian Christmas celebration, and a volunteer uniform coordinator for her children’s local AYSO soccer organization.

Melinda C. Ghilardi, Esq. (Dunmore) is the First Assistant Federal Defender for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.  She serves as the manager of the Scranton Office.  Prior to joining the Federal Defender’s staff in 1987, she was an Assistant District Attorney in Lackawanna County.  She is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas, and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.

Melinda is a member of the American Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  She has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Board of Governors.  She previously served as co-chair of the PBA’s Commission on Women in the Profession, and she has served as Secretary of the National Association of Federal Defenders as well as the Commission on Women in the Profession.  She is a past President of the Lackawanna Bar Association and the Treasurer of the Association of Women Lawyers of Lackawanna County.

She is a member of the Geisinger Health System’s Women’s Health Volunteer Leadership Council and the Advisory Council at Geisinger Community Medical Center, as well as the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Board Development Committee.  She was a 2000 recipient of the Women of Distinction Award presented annually by the former Scranton Pocono Council, and was the chair of the 2006 Women of Distinction Awards program.  In 2005, she received the Lynette Norton Award presented by the Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Commission on Women in the Profession.  That same year, she received the inaugural Athena Award presented by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

Melinda has served on the Lackawanna County Commission for Women, the Friendship House Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of the Scranton Division of the American Heart Association, and the Board of Directors of the former Community Medical Center Healthcare System, where she was co-chair.  She has volunteered as the National Sponsor Chair for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Race for the Cure and for Scranton Tomorrow’s Marking the Millennium/First Night Celebration.  She is a past Chair of the Board of Family Service of Lackawanna County.

Melinda served on The University of Scranton’s Board of Trustees, where she chaired the Student Life and Presidential Search Committees.  The University honored her by establishing an Ignatian Scholarship in her name, and in 2000, presented her with the Frank J. O’Hara Alumni Award for outstanding achievement in the field of law.  She is a member of The University’s Panuska College of Professional Studies Board of Visitors.

She is a 1976 graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and a 1980 magna cum laude graduate of the University of Scranton, where she received the Departmental Award for Public Administration.  In 1983, she was awarded a juris doctor from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

She is a twenty-eight year member of the Peckville Business and Professional Women Club, and was named Woman of the Year in 1999.  She is the wife of attorney Sidney J. Prejean, Dunmore, and the daughter of Eleanor D. Ghilardi, Peckville, and the late Joseph P. Ghilardi.

Melinda was a Junior and then a Cadette Scout.  Her fondest Girl Scout memories are of selling cookies every February and working on badges.  She loved working on badges.  She now realizes how much that experience helped her to become goal-oriented and driven to succeed.  Thank you, Girl Scouts!!

Melinda serves on the Board Development Committee of GSHPA.

Tony Hernandez (Lancaster) Born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Antonio graduated from J. P. McCaskey in 1992. He gained early admissions to Millersville University as an Elementary Education major. Two years into the Elementary Education program, Antonio decided to dual major in Elementary Education and Early Childhood with a concentration in Urban Education. He graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary and Early childhood Education. Antonio soon gained employment as the first male Kindergarten teacher in the School District of Lancaster and worked for the district for twelve years. For the last four years, Antonio has been working for Lancaster Country Day School where he works as a Pre-Kindergarten lead teacher.  He recently obtained a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Human Development from George Washington University.

On a personal note, Antonio and his wife, Linda, have been married for ten years. Linda is an Art teacher in the School District of Lancaster. They have two daughters. Elena is nine years old and attends Resurrection Catholic School. Sara is five years old. They also have an adopted son named Josh. Linda and Antonio adopted him four years ago at the age of 16. Josh currently is enlisted in the Marines and stationed on a naval base in Washington State.  They have also hosted foreign exchange students so their daughters have a chance to meet people from different backgrounds. They have had exchange students from Egypt, Morocco, and Israel.

Elizabeth "Billie" Ingraham (Danville) is the Director of Programming and a Fitness Trainer at the Danville Area Community Center.  Before joining the Center, she was the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Joseph Church in Danville; Kitchen Manager at St. Joseph School; President of the Home and School Association; Chair Person of the Diocesan Catholic Committee for Girl Scouting; and a 20-year Cub and Boy Scout Leader. 

Elizabeth was a Girl Scout for six years, a Girl Scout leader for 16 years and the area Service Unit Manager for seven years.   As a Girl Scout leader she received the Diocesan and National Elizabeth Ann Seton Awards. 

Billie received her Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Lafayette College in 1980, her Master’s in Geochemistry from Temple University in 1983 and her Master’s in Exercise Science from California University of Pennsylvania in 2012.  She has had work experience in accounting and management.  She has been married to her husband Herb for 27 years, and together they have three children: Herbert, 26, Caitlin 22 and Megan, 19.  Herbert received his Eagle Award, Caitlin her GSUSA Gold Award and Megan her GSUSA Silver Award.

Billie’s hobbies include knitting, sewing, rock climbing and hiking.

Betsy Keefer (York) On February 4, 2013, the Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve Betsy Keefer fill the unexpired term of Katie McGinty.

Betsy’s professional involvement and dedication to the Girl Scout organization can be traced back almost 35 years.  She was the Executive Director of the Hemlock Girl Scout Council from 1979 to 1988; the National Director of Council Services at Girl Scouts of the USA from 1989 to 1993; the Chief Executive Officer of the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut from 1994 to 2001; and the Chief Executive Officer at the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council from 2001 to 2007.  She has also held Interim CEO positions from 2010 to 2011 in Jackson, Mississippi; Madison, Wisconsin; and Boston, Massachusetts. 

Other York community volunteer involvement includes President of the Osher Life Long Learning Center at Penn State York, board member of the York Symphony, board member of Leadership York and   member of the Hahn Home Fund board at the York Community Foundation. She is also a member of the Standards Committee for the PA Association of Nonprofit Organizations. (PANO)

Other interests include taking classes at the Life Long Learning Center and travel.  Travel has included trips to all seven continents.

Education includes a BA in sociology/social science from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an MEd from Kent State University.  Betsy has also taken many courses in nonprofit management from, among other places, Harvard University and Claremont.

Betsy currently serves as co-chair on GSHPA’s 100th Anniversary Steering Committee and is a member of the Fund Development Committee.

Thom Klinger, Ph.D. (Bloomsburg) - Born in Michigan, Thom Klinger grew up in the Hiawatha National Forest.  He pursued a college education in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Greece, before receiving a Ph.D. in Biology from the University of South Florida.  He has taught high school through graduate programs, in areas ranging from outdoor skills through English as a second language, and in schools from Vermont to Australia.  He joined the faculty at Bloomsburg University in 1985 to offer courses in values and ethics and in marine biology.  Since coming to Pennsylvania, he has served as Vice President for Academic Affairs of the Marine Science Consortium, Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Quest Outdoor Experiential Education Program, and member of the Advisory Board for the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum.

Thom’s introduction to Girl Scouting came through his mother, who, throughout Thom’s childhood, capped life-lessons with the tag line, “... and I learned that in Girl Scouts.”  He has worked with the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania for 11 years.  Thom has served as Troop Treasurer, Assistant Leader, and Leader, as well as Service Unit Advisor for Older Girls, Delegate, Trainer, and Day Camp Presenter.  Thom has two sons and a daughter who is currently in her last year as an Ambassador Girl Scout.

Veronica Longenecker (Lititz) has over 20 years of experience in Information Technology at Millersville University.   Her current position is the Assistant Vice President of Information Technologies. Her areas of responsibilities include the oversight of support services (help desk support, desktop computer support), infrastructure services (servers, networking, telecom) and technology in the classroom as well as online.

Veronica has a degree in Computer Science from Millersville University and received her Master’s degree in Computer Information Systems from University of Phoenix.

Passionate about Girl Scouting, Veronica has held numerous volunteer positions with Girl Scouts over the past 18 years, including troop leader, troop organizer/troop consultant and day camp director.  Most recently, she held the position of Service Unit Manager for Rolling Hills (707) Service Unit. In July 2010, she led 41 adults and Girl Scouts on a trip to Savannah, Georgia. Veronica has volunteered for GSHPA task forces to help the Council move forward.

Veronica serves on the Board Development Committee of GSHPA.

Joan Mummert (New Oxford) Joan began her career in nonprofit organizations over 30 years ago as a director with Girls Clubs in Indianapolis. From there she worked with Youth for Understanding International Exchange, Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC), two universities, a private independent school, the Maryland Historical Society and currently serves as the President and CEO of the York County Heritage Trust.

Originally from New England, Joan spent many formative years in Girl Scouts (Mohawk Pathways and Connecticut Valley) to which she attributes numerous leadership skills and abilities. At Nation’s Capital she worked as a Field Director for a year before becoming a Training Specialist where she became a GSUSA certified trainer. During her tenure with GSCNC Joan successfully completed the year-long Georgetown University Training Certification program.

Her additional studies include a B.S. from the University of Indianapolis in Physical Education and Nonprofit Administration (American Humanics) and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University in Organizational Development. Joan is a CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) through the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Benetta Rapier (Lititz) Benetta Rapier joined AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan in May 2008 as the Director of Network Operations. In this capacity she has day-to-day provider network operations responsibility. In addition, Benetta is responsible for the Provider Application Processing division in the Harrisburg office. Benetta has extensive experience in operations and provider contracting. 

Prior to joining AmeriHealth Mercy, she was in provider contracting management positions at Central Penn Management Group (Lancaster, PA), HealthGuard (Lancaster, PA), Albert Einstein Health Network (Philadelphia, PA), and Admar Corporation (Orange, CA).  Benetta was responsible for payer and provider network strategies to include contract language and rates as well as network data integrity.  Benetta has an Associates Degree in Business Administration from New Mexico State University and has completed degree work in the Selected Studies program at Arizona State University.

Benetta’s community service includes:  Water Street Health Services Board of Directors, 2010 to present; St. Joseph Health Ministries Board, 2007 to present (Chairman of the Board 2007 to 2009); and the Board of the Lancaster Heart & Stroke Foundation, 2004 to 2009).  She was also on the Evaluation Committee of PALCO from 2007 to 2008, and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Lancaster.

Susan Russell (Camp Hill) Susan Russell is Vice President and Northern Regional Manager for Orrstown Financial Advisors at Orrstown Bank.  Susan serves individual clients as well as organizations with a variety of trust and investment fiduciary services, including retirement planning, asset management, investments, financial planning and estate planning in addition to managing advisors who can offer brokerage and investment advisory services as well as various insurance and investment products including life and long-term care insurance.

Her 28-year career in the trust and investment industry has been served through a number of financial institutions in the Harrisburg area, including Mellon Bank, PNC Bank and Community Trust Company.  She has held various management positions in the areas of tax, operations and more recently the President and Chief Executive Officer of Community Trust Company until its merger with Farmers and Merchants Trust in 2008.

Susan earned a Bachelors of Arts degree from the University of Miami, Florida.  She is also a graduate of the Central Atlantic School of Trust, a three-year school on trust administration, fiduciary and personal income tax, trust operations and investments.  She is a member of the estate Planning Council of Central Pennsylvania and the Estate Planning Council of Cumberland County.

Susan was a Girl Scout leader for the former Hemlock Council leading a troop for 12 years and also served as a Deacon for the Camp Hill Presbyterian Church.  She currently serves as an Advisory Member for the Camp Hill Community Foundation as well as a member of the Finance Committee of GSHPA.

Lisa Watson, Esq. (Oberlin) Lisa Watson is an attorney with a varied professional background in both the legal and business community.  She currently works for Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare (“DPW”) in the Office of Income Maintenance as the Director for the Bureau of Program Support.  In this role she manages an administrative Bureau responsible for providing support by way of statistical analysis, budget management and control, office services and automation planning and support.  Prior to working at DPW, Lisa worked at the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) as a regulatory compliance attorney with a primary focus on Truth in Lending, Fair Credit Reporting, Equal Credit Opportunity, Fair Debt Collections Practices, Federal Lobbying Disclosure as well as other areas that are applicable to the financial services industry.   Additionally, Lisa spent eight years between Harrisburg and Philadelphia in the welfare-to-work industry revitalizing a statewide initiative designed to increase employment opportunities for individuals receiving cash assistance from DPW.  She also worked as an operations manager, overseeing a procurement process designed to secure contractors to provide job-training services for individuals receiving welfare.

Lisa was awarded her Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law and is currently licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Additionally, she received her Bachelors in Business Administration, with an emphasis in accounting, from Temple University.  Lisa is very active in the Pennsylvania Bar Association and has served on various committees and subcommittees.  She is currently the Co-Vice Chair of the Public Service Committee for the Commission on Women in the Profession as well as the Chair of the Central Pennsylvania Community Outreach Subcommittee for the Minority Bar Committee.  She is also a second year associate with the James S. Bowman Inn of Court in Harrisburg.

Lisa was born and raised in Philadelphia and now resides in the Harrisburg area.

Alexis Wilkinson (East Stroudsburg) has been employed in the private consulting industry for over ten years, designing and managing large-scale commercial, residential and transportation projects. She has worked for Langan Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc. in Elmwood Park, New Jersey, and Reilly Associates, based out of Pittston, Pennsylvania. Notable projects include Jersey Gardens Mall in Elizabeth, NJ, New Meadowlands Arena transportation study and multiple Wal-Mart and Lowes shopping centers throughout the tri-state area.  Alexis has a B.S. in Civil Engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology in Newark, New Jersey.

A former Girl Scout from the Washington Rock Council in New Jersey, Alexis has a devotion towards Girl Scouting, an organization she attributes with building her self-confidence as a young woman, which continues to sustain her within her very male-dominated field. She is looking forward to giving back to Girl Scouting by serving on the GSHPA Board of Directors, by taking an active role in helping to shape and preserve the long-standing and reputable organization for future generations.

Alexis is married and the mother of four, two boys and two girls. Alexis is an active member of the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) and a volunteer in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for her private residential development, as a head basketball coach for the East Stroudsburg Youth Association, and as a liaison advisor for Middle Smithfield Township.

Alexis credits her family as being her motivation and biggest supporters.

Alexis serves on the Property Committee of GSHPA.

Dr. Deborah L. Wortham (York) is an educator, professor, author and a nationally recognized speaker. A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Wortham is the Superintendent for the School District of the City of York in York, Pennsylvania. Previously, she served as the Superintendent for the Steelton-Highspire School District. As an international consultant, Dr. Wortham is the President and CEO of Wortham Educational Associates. She possesses many years of experience in planning and implementing leadership strategies that meet student needs. Her assets include an understanding of the importance of school culture in the attainment of educational goals. She has served as a teacher (selected Teacher of the Year), facilitator, assistant principal, principal (elementary, K-8 and high school), and principal of America’s Best Elementary School for Significant Improvement, director of professional development, assistant superintendent and superintendent. Dr. Wortham has been featured in several educational videos, written numerous chapters for various books and has traveled extensively throughout the country lecturing on various topics such as Creating Professional Learning Communities, Efficacy, Creating a Culture for Learning, Leadership Development and School Improvement. 

Her career highlights include:

• Host, Vice-President Joe Biden, School District of the City of York, October 2011
• Restructuring Models/School Improvement and Transformation
• Professional Development 
• Leadership Development
• Creating Professional Learning Communities
• Restructuring Alternative Education
• Parent/Community Relations
• Curriculum Design, Development, and Evaluation
• Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Epsilon Sigma Omega Chapter, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Member, Links, Inc., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Member, Rotary International, Rotary Club of York, Pennsylvania
• Member, The Women’s Giving Circle, York, Pennsylvania
• Board Member, Martin Library Association, York, Pennsylvania
• Board Member, Junior Achievement, York, Pennsylvania

Her credentials include:  Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Master’s Degree in Reading from Morgan State University, Baltimore, Maryland and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin.

Additionally, Dr. Wortham is recognized by having achieved:

• Certified Superintendent – Maryland State Department of Education and
• Pennsylvania Department of Education
• Certified Assessor, National Association of Secondary School Principals
• Certified Curriculum Trainer/Professional Developer, The Efficacy Institute
• Graduate, Leadership Baltimore City and Baltimore County
• Graduate, Maryland Principals Institute
• Doctoral Advisor and National Lecturer, Nova Southeastern University
• Mentor Principal and Faculty Associate, Johns Hopkins University
• Adjunct Professor, Coppin State College
• Certified, National Staff Development Academy, National Staff Development Council
• Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) National Faculty-National Speaker’s Bureau
• H.O.P.E. Foundation Speaker’s Bureau
• Delegate, China Administration for American Bridge Program

Honors, Awards and Publications include:

• Woman of Distinction Award, Central Pennsylvania Baptist Association 2012
• Dissertation of the Year (Kathleen Cooper-Wright Award Recipient)
• Leadership Award, Blair County, Pennsylvania NAACP
• Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in Leadership
• Mayor’s Citation
• Failure is Not an Option: How High-Achieving Schools Succeed with All Students, Video Series, H.O.P.E. Foundation, Bloomington, Illinois, 2002
• “Principal’s Pet,” Pot Likker for Administrators and Teachers, 2001 (Short Story)
• “Motivating Children,” The Maryland Federation Teacher
• Creative Curriculum Leadership
• Leadership and Learning (ASCD Article January 2004)
• Failure is Not an Option: How High-Achieving Schools Succeed with All Students, H.O.P.E. by Alan Blankstein (Chapter)
• The Answer is in the Room by Alan Blankstein contributing editor and quote 2011
• The Leader’s Role in Setting the Atmosphere for Student Achievement, Dr. Deborah L. Wortham (pending publication)

Dr. Wortham is prepared spiritually and educationally.  She accepted her call to the ministry in 1996 and was ordained an elder at The Higher Dimensions Christian Center in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2000.  Dr. Wortham serves as the Dean of Christian Education, Sunday School Superintendent, Aspiring Minister’s Seminars, and Ministry for New Members, Marriage and Family Ministry, Wedding Ministry, and Cultural History Fellowship.

Dr. Wortham and her husband, Elder Chester Wortham, have led seminars on marriage and leadership development at various conferences.  They serve as premarital counselors at Higher Dimensions Christian Center.

She has been married for 41 years to Elder Chester H. Wortham, Jr. and they have two children, Dr. Shelley and Chester, III, one son-in-law, Sheldon, one daughter-in-law, Marquita one granddaughter, Jordynn Lynn and three grandsons, Chester, IV, Sheldon, Jr. and Zachary.

In all, “To God Be the Glory, for the Great things He has Done!”

Executive Vice President

Ann M. Hughes

Ann M. Hughes serves as Executive Vice President of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Ann brings significant experience in operations, fund development, strategic planning, board and organizational development to GSHPA. Prior to joining GSHPA in February 2009, Ann served as the Vice President of Operations & Development for St. Joseph Health Ministries for seven years.  While with SJHM, Ann oversaw all operations and fund development efforts for the community health service organization based in Lancaster, PA.  Most notably, Ann oversaw the development and implementation of SJHM’s award-winning Brush. Brush. Smile! children’s oral health initiative that focused on improving the oral health of low income children.  A long-time advocate for youth development and community-based programming, Ann has also held positions with Franklin & Marshall College, Hempfield Area Recreation Commission and Lycoming College.  Ann holds a Masters degree in Education from Indiana University – Bloomington, IN, a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College and a certificate in fund raising management from Indiana University.