LeadershipThe 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.
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| Board of Directors 2011-2012 |
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Board of Directors
Contact Information
350 Hale Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17104
Email: board@gshpa.org
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Chair
Kate Crowley, Tunkhannock
Kate Crowley serves as Board Chair for the Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania Council. She has been employed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for the last 27 years and is currently the Water Program Manager in the Department’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilkes-Barre. Crowley was the first woman to occupy this position statewide and now is the senior Water Manager in the Commonwealth. She is a 1999 graduate of the Leadership Development Institute for Women in State Government. Crowley has a B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York.
A former Girl Scout from southern tier New York State, Crowley has held a number of positions in Girl Scouting including serving as Board Secretary for GSHPA. Crowley was also an officer of the former Scranton Pocono Council, chair of two Women of Distinction events, member of the Property Committee, and subcommittee chair for the Council Performance Assessment in that legacy council.
Previously honored as a Woman of Distinction, she also was involved with the merger, serving on the Council Realignment Committee, and co-chairing the Service Delivery Subcommittee.
Crowley is an active volunteer in the community, coordinating the American Cancer Society Daffodil Days sales at her workplace for more than 10 years and having served on the advisory board of the Keystone College Water Discovery Center. She is a trained American Red Cross disaster services responder and frequently assists with fund raisers for her Red Cross chapter. Most recently, she was involved in the response to flooding from Tropical Storm Lee in 2011.
In 2009, Crowley was highlighted as a Northeast Woman by the Times-Shamrock Communications group in Scranton. She was also just appointed to the North Branch Land Trust’s Howland Preserve Committee.
Crowley has a passion for Girl Scouting, an organization she credits with her current professional success and her desire to always be giving back to the community.
In addition to serving as Board Chair, Crowley is
the Chair of the Executive Committee, and serves on the Finance, Fund
Development, Audit and Property Committees of GSHPA.
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Vice Chair
Carolyn Warman, York
Carolyn Warman has served as Executive Director at Leadership York since
2000. In this position she works with board and staff members to train and
support individuals who have the desire to serve the community in leadership
positions. More than 2,100 Leadership York graduates serve in leadership roles
with more than 200 nonprofit and public sector organizations.
In the community, Carolyn serves on the boards of the York
Rotary Club and the York Nonprofit Management Development Center. Previous
board positions have included York Suburban Communities That Care, York County
Council of Churches, Junior League of York, Child Abuse Council of York County,
St. John’s Episcopal Church, and Focus on Our Future.
Carolyn 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.
She was also named a Fellow in the York Federal Fellows Program in Nonprofit
Community Leadership in 2006.
Carolyn holds a B.A. degree from Gettysburg College and has
completed nonprofit leadership courses at Harvard Business School and
BoardSource. She was involved in Girl Scouting herself as a girl (achieving a
First Class award) and with her daughter. She also participated in Penn
Laurel’s Council Performance Assessment process.
In addition to serving as Board Vice Chair,
Carolyn serves on the Executive, Finance, and Fund Development Committees of
GSHPA.
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Treasurer
Paul J. Lewis, York
Paul J. Lewis is a Senior Financial Analyst for BAE Systems, Inc. His
current responsibilities include financial forecasting and budgeting, variance
analysis, and other reporting as needed. Previous employment has included
financial analysis, general accounting, internal auditing, and retail store
management. Paul earned a bachelor of science degree in Business Administration
from Bloomsburg University and a master’s in business administration from York
College of Pennsylvania.
Paul began his volunteering and community involvement
activities ten years ago as a loaned executive for The United Way of York
County. That experience led to positions on the allocation and agency review
committees. From 2002 to 2004, he served on the board of the York Jaycees,
helping to lead fund-raising projects and organize social activities for the
organization. Paul also served on the board of Planned Parenthood of Central
Pennsylvania from 2001 to 2007, holding the positions of secretary, treasurer,
and vice chair at different times during his board term.
In addition to serving as the Board Treasurer, Paul chairs
the Finance Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee of GSHPA.
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Secretary
Melinda (Mindy) Inners, YorkMelinda (Mindy) Inners served two terms (2003-2007) as the Board Chair/President of
the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council (PLGSC) for six southern Pennsylvania
counties (Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, Lebanon and York). In this
position, Mindy provided leadership in Council Performance Assessments,
Strategic Planning, Corporate Campaigns, Board Committee Redesign, Frederick
County, Maryland Transition, PLGSC’s National GS Council Delegation and
Delegate Communication Initiatives. She is the initiator of the Fireside Chats
with volunteers, Board Ambassador Initiative and the Go for the Gold girl
advisor reports at PLGSC’s Board of Directors meetings designed to keep a
governance finger on the pulse of PLGSC. During the transition, she served as a
delegate from the PLGSC to the Council Realignment Committee and as Co-Chair of
the Governance Committee of the CRC. Most recently, she completed her second
term on the Board Development Committee of Girl Scouts in the Heart of
Pennsylvania and served as Co-Chair of the GSHPA CEO Search Committee.
Mindy is on staff as the Program Facilitator for Messiah
United Methodist Church in York, Pennsylvania. In this position, she recruits,
trains and resources volunteers for the Christian Education Department at
Messiah UMC. She has held this position for nine years and is responsible for
developing all levels of instruction birth through adult.
In the community, Mindy has served on the Design Team of the
Spring Grove Area School District for a new high school, served as President of
the York Branch of the American Association of University Women, Art Goes to
School volunteer instructor for the Spring Grove Area School District and a
Green Circle Program Facilitator for the Diversity Program of the Jewish Community
Center.
Mindy is a lifetime Girl Scout member. She was a Girl Scout
in the southern tier of New York State as a girl and has served as a Daisy,
Brownie and Junior leader for troops in both the Hemlock and Penn Laurel Girl
Scout Councils.
Most importantly, Mindy is the proud wife of Robert Inners,
II and parent of teenagers, Holly and Tom. Her family also has hosted exchange
students from Portugal and Germany.
In addition to serving as Board Secretary, Mindy
serves on the Executive Committee of GSHPA.
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Members at LargeMarion 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 100th 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.
Catherine “Cappy” Bush (York) served the Penn Laurel Girl Scout Council as a volunteer for many years, including as troop leader, member of the Finance Committee, Board of Directors and as Board President. Cappy served on the Council Realignment Committee during the formation of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. She is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts of the USA and the mother of two Girl Scouts.
Cappy is Vice President and Associate Counsel for Susquehanna Bancshares, Inc., which serves central Pennsylvania, Maryland and southern New Jersey through its $13 billion affiliate, Susquehanna Bank, which is based in Lititz, Pennsylvania. She has been a corporate attorney with regional financial institutions for more than 30 years. Cappy also serves on the board of Leadership York, where she chairs the Sustainability Committee.
Cappy serves on the
Board Development Committee of GSHPA
Sara Goulet (Hershey) counts
the Girl Scouts among her very first affiliations. For close to eight years,
she was a member of Troop #1028 of the Hemlock Girl Scout Council.
Sara
graduated from Hershey High School and earned an advertising degree from Penn State.
She was an original employee of Neiman Group, a Harrisburg
advertising agency, before entering the world of public relations with HealthAmerica
and Barry Group, a York
ad agency for whom she launched a PR division.
Sara’s
career path diverged in 2003, several years after the birth of her second
child. That year, she and her mother started Putch & Buckie’s Baked Goods,
which she successfully managed until 2011.
In May of 2011, she decided to go back to her public relations roots and
took a position in corporate communications for The Hershey Company, closing
Putch & Buckies, but maintaining a close relationship with sweets.
Sara
is married and has two children. She lives in Derry Township.
Sara serves on the 100th Anniversary
Steering Committee of GSHPA.
Dolly Lalvani (Harrisburg) is involved in Girl SCouting through her daughter, Geeta, who is currently a Cadette in Troop #10945. Dolly graduated cum laude from Texas A&M International University with a
Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting in 1991. After working for two other prestigious
accounting firms, Dolly has transitioned to the position of Director of Tax at
PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
Dolly is married and lives in Harrisburg. She serves on the Finance Committee of GSHPA.
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.
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The Honorable Kathleen A. McGinty (Camp Hill) is Senior Vice
President and Managing Director, Strategic Growth at Weston Solutions,
Inc., a company focused on sustainable property remediation and
redevelopment in the US and abroad. Katie also is an Operating Partner
at Element LLC, a private equity firm investing in early and mid-stage
clean technology companies. She is a Director at NRG Energy, Inc., a
leading wholesale power company and Iberdrola USA, Inc. a gas and
electric utility.
In July 2008, Ms. McGinty stepped down as
Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and
as Chair of the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority. During her
tenure, she helped lead the state’s successful effort to attract
market-leading clean tech and renewable energy companies to headquarter
and manufacture in Pennsylvania, bringing more than a $1 billion in new
investment and creating some 3,000 new jobs.
Previous to her
service in Pennsylvania, Ms. McGinty was Bill Clinton’s Chair of the
White House Council on Environmental Quality and Legislative Assistant
and Environmental Advisor to then-Senator Al Gore. She also was a Senior
Visiting Fellow for a year in New Delhi, India at TERI, the Tata Energy
Research Institute. Ms. McGinty holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Chemistry from Saint Joseph’s University and a Juris Doctor from
Columbia University School of Law, as well as three honorary doctorates
in Public Service and Humane Letters. Ms. McGinty was designated a
“Global Leader for Tomorrow” by the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Switzerland, and Woman of the Year by the Women’s Council on Energy and
the Environment. She is the recipient of numerous awards for
environmental leadership including the Ansel Adams Award of The
Wilderness Society, the “All the Right Stuff” award of the Apollo
Alliance, and the “Unsung Hero” award of the League of Conservation
Voters. She and her husband Dr. Karl Hausker have three daughters and
live in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania.
Ms. McGinty serves on the Finance Committee of GSHPA
Laura Muia, PHR (Archbald) is 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.
Heidi Nicholas (State College) is active in the management and development of commercial and multi-family residential property in the Centre County region. Recently completed projects include the Creekside Plaza Shopping Center, The PennTerra Office Building in Cato Park, and The Palmerton apartment building in State College. She has more than 20 years of experience in investment banking and finance and serves on the board of directors of the Centre County Community Foundation, Pennsylvania Centre Stage and the advisory board of Graystone Bank, in addition to several private company boards.
A resident of State College, Heidi has three daughters and has been involved in Girl Scouting as a leader for more than ten years. Her youngest daughter is currently a Juliette Scout working at the Cadette level.
Heidi holds two degrees in Fine Arts from the University of California at Los Angeles as well as an MBA degree in Finance from Cornell University.
Heidi chairs the Property Committee of GSHPA.
Manisha M. Shah-Nahar (Plains) holds a BS in Accounting degree from Herbert Lehman College. She moved from Manhattan, New York, with her husband seven years ago. Currently Manisha volunteers for the following organizations: Wyoming Valley Family Service Association, United Way, Friends of the Hoyt Library, and a Rotarian.
Manisha’s past involvements include the Arthritis Foundation as a Board Member and Secretary, American Cancer Society – Pink Ribbon Ball, Secretary and Daffodil Committee, General Hospital of Wilkes-Barre Auxiliary and Junior League. She was a Girl Scout and past board member at Penn’s Woods Council.
Karen F. Snider (Harrisburg) 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 chairs the
Board Development Committee and serves on the 100th Anniversary
Steering Committee of GSHPA.
Robena Spangler (Harrisburg) is employed by NHS Human Services as the Director of Children’s Residential and Out of Home Placement Services. NHS is a community-based, nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the special needs of over 50,000 children and adults annually.
For the past 13 years, Robena has diligently worked with executive leadership and staff members to provide gender responsive treatment and programming for girls and young women. She was instrumental in creating a model of care for girls and young women that is based on six domains of adolescent female development (Physical, Intellectual, Sexual, Spiritual, Emotional and Relational).
Robena is a member of the Female Services Subcommittee sponsored by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). The primary goal of this committee is to create a gender responsive juvenile justice system in Pennsylvania through awareness of current trends within the criminal justice system that directly impact girls and young women and to identify best practices and evidence-based models of care to meet their unique needs.
She is a 1987 graduate of Susquehanna University with a B.A in Sociology/Human Services and is pursuing a graduate degree from Duquesne University in Leadership and Management.
Robena enjoys volunteering and participating in various events such as annual NAMI events and the NHS Scramble for Scholars. She resides in Harrisburg with her daughter, Eryn.
Robena serves on the Fund Development Committee of GSHPA.
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.
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President and Chief Executive Officer
Jane Ransom
Jane Ransom was appointed President and Chief Executive
Officer of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania in 2009. Previously, Jane
served as executive director of the International Women’s Media Foundation,
based in Washington, DC. IWMF’s mission is to strengthen the role of women in
the news media worldwide as a means to further freedom of the press.
A long-time advocate for women and girls, Jane served from
1992-1998 as executive director for Central Pennsylvania Legal Services
headquartered in Harrisburg, and as president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation
of Minnesota – a community foundation that champions economic, political and
social equality for women and girls – which she led through a period of major
renewal and growth. Jane also served as communications chair for the United Way
of York County, Pennsylvania.
Jane holds a master’s degree in public
administration from the Bernard M. Baruch College of City University of New
York and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Kent State University.
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Ann Goropoulos - Executive Vice President
Ann Goropoulos serves as Executive Vice President of Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Ann brings significant experience in fund development, strategic planning, board and organizational development to GSHPA. Most recently Ann served as the VP, Operations & Development for St. Joseph Health Ministries, Lancaster. She also served as the Director of the Foundation for St. Joseph Health Ministries. Ann hold a Masters degree in Education from Indiana University, a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Muhlenberg College and a certificate in fund raising management from Indiana University. She is also a member of the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP).
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