Members at Large
Marion C. Alexander, Hummelstown
Marion C. Alexander has been involved in Girl Scouts as a troop leader for 12 years, most recently leading a troop at the Urban Center. Alexander is a member of the Gold Award Event Committee and was chair of the first 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.
Alexander has received a number of recognitions for her work in the community including the Community Supporter of the Arts Award in 2003, Central Pennsylvania Fund Raising Council Outstanding Volunteer Award in 2002, Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award in 1997, John Baum Humanitarian Award in 1996, and the Community Child Advocate Award in 1995. Alexander'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.
Alexander 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.
Karen Best, Mechanicsburg
Karen Diener Best has been a Girl Scout, Troop Leader, and a Troop Cookie Chairman. She has served on the Hemlock Girl Scout Council board of directors since 2003 and currently chairs the Fund Development Committee. Best is also very active in the Harrisburg/Carlisle communities. A past president of the Junior League of Harrisburg she is a member of the board of directors of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, YWCA Carlisle, and the United Methodist Home for Children, Inc. She was elected a supervisor in Silver Spring Township, Cumberland County, serving as chairman of the board of supervisors for four years.
Now an educational consultant, Best has 28 years of higher education administration experience. She is a graduate of Dickinson College and Penn State – Harrisburg with a master’s degree in public administration. A widow, she has two children and five grandchildren. Her oldest granddaughter is a fourth generation Girl Scout.
Janice Black, Harrisburg
Janice R. Black 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, 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.
Black is 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 fifteen years, and was Club President in 2001-02. Over the years, Black chaired the following committees: Vocational, Community Service, World Fellowship, and Harrisburg Rotary Foundation and as a Lane Chair for the District Committees and Projects.
Black 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. Black 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. Black’s ability to forge community partnerships across sectors is well-known.
Black 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.
Black 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.
Catherine (Cappy) Bush, York
Catherine (Cappy) Bush served 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. Bush 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. Bush 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. Bush also serves on the board of Leadership York, where she chairs the Sustainability Committee.
Rodrigo Gereda, Kingston
Rod Gereda has faithfully served Girl Scouts as a life time member beginning with the legacy of Penn’s Woods Council. Gereda served as First, Second, and Third Vice-President and on the Council Realignment Committee, HR Realignment Subcommittee, Bylaws and Policy Revision Task Group and Diversity/Pluralism Task Group. Currently, he serves on the Executive Board.
His extensive community leadership includes programs in Transformational Leadership. He is Chief Mediation Trainer for the Father James Doyle Community Mediation Institute. Gereda provides divorce mediation and family strengthening programs and services. He also serves on the Luzerne County Penn State Cooperative Extension Board as President. Gereda holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Houston. He also helped develop a Community Advisory Network for GSHPA (Girls CAN!). With his wife, Kathy, he enjoys their proudest achievement: their three Girl Scout daughters - Arisa Lucía, Katarina María, and Maria Lucía.
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Donna L. Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP – East Stroudsburg, PA
Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP, is a former board-certified pediatrician residing in Northeast Pennsylvania. Currently, she is Chief Wellness Officer and co-owner of Manifest Excellence, LLC. Dr. Hamilton specializes in a holistic wellness approach to health, and speaks nationally on this issue of self-care. Her company, Manifest Excellence, LLC, focuses on a comprehensive approach to health and wellness of individuals and corporations through the awareness of mental, spiritual and physical wellbeing.
Dr. Hamilton has a degree in Sociology from the University of Virginia, and received her Doctorate of Medicine degree from Thomas Jefferson University. She did her Pediatric residency training at the University of Minnesota. After residency, Dr. Hamilton began a career in community pediatrics. This included serving as Director of Adolescent Services for a community health center and Director of a high school based clinic.
Dr. Hamilton also served on the New Jersey State Blue Ribbon Panel on Black Infant Mortality. This panel took an unprecedented look at issues influencing the racial disparity in infant mortality. Many initiatives came out of the Panel's recommendations. One of these is the creation of the Black Infant Mortality Reduction Resource Center (BIMRRC). Dr. Hamilton served as an advisor to the center for ten years.
Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney, Harrisburg
Dr. Sybil Knight-Burney is in her fourth year as the Assistant Superintendent for the Division of Student, Family & Community Support Services in the Harrisburg School District. Her division consists of Elementary and Secondary Counselors, Social Workers, Teen Parenting Coordinators, Health Services, Homeless Services, and Special Programs for Parents,
and Community Outreach. Prior to her arrival in Harrisburg she has been an elementary, middle and high school Principal in Massachusetts. As Principal of the Agassiz School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Dr. Knight-Burney was featured in the Boston Globe. The article extolled her leadership style and ability to effectively use “dialoguing” as a means to adhere to the needs of the school and community. In addition, her ability to effectively communicate opened the school to new ideas which enhanced the curriculum, encouraged professional development, and increased parent participation and
involvement. Also, after it was brought to Dr. Knight-Burney’s attention by a student that Agassiz promoted racial degradation and separatism, she was successful in launching a campaign
and renamed the school after its first African-American and female principal, Maria L. Baldwin, who is attributed to being the first African-American Principal in the Northeast.
Laura Muia, Archbald
Laura J. Muia, PHR 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.
Muia is a graduate of Marywood University and earned her masters 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, Muia 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.
Heidi Nicholas, State College
Heidi Nicholas 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, Nicholas 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.
Nicholas 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.
Alycia Schwartz, Newfoundland
Alycia Schwartz is the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary/Treasurer at Northeastern Child Care Services (NCCS) in Scranton, Pennsylvania. NCCS is a nonprofit service agency that provides early childhood education programs to families in a multi-county region of Northeastern Pennsylvania with a majority of business stemming from government contracts. Alycia’s responsibilities include financial and contractual oversight and government reporting for the agency. Alycia is a graduate of the University of Scranton and its Business Leadership Program, where she was inducted into the Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society for nontraditional students and served as an officer of the Student Council. She is a certified public accountant and has experience working in the public accounting field as a nonprofit specialist. She is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Alycia’s introduction to Girl Scouting began when she was the lead auditor for one of GSHPA’s legacy councils, Girl Scouts, Scranton Pocono Council (GSSPC). Over a six-year period, she came to know and love the wealth of programs offered in Girl Scouting, as well as its financial intricacies. She was later hired by GSSPC to be the council’s Chief Financial Officer, where she served until the merger was completed. Alycia also served as an assistant lecturer regarding financial matters for GSUSA to other merging councils. Alycia has held numerous volunteer positions in the community including treasurer for the Rotary Club of Scranton, a founding member of the Challenger Little League of Lackawanna County, mentor to college students at the Kania School of Management at the University of Scranton, and a member of the Finance Committee for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. Alycia is a resident of Newfoundland, Pennsylvania, where she resides with her husband, Robert. She is the mother of two grown children.
Manisha M. Shah-Nahar, Plains
Manisha M. Shah-Nahar holds a BS in Accounting from Herbert Lehman College. She moved from Manhattan, New York with her husband seven years ago. Currently Shah-Nahar volunteers for the following organizations: Wyoming Valley Family Service Association, United Way, Friends of the Hoyt Library, and a Rotarian.
Her 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
Karen F. 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.
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, Warman serves on the boards of the York Rotary Club and 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.
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. She was also named a Fellow in the York Federal Fellows Program in Nonprofit Community Leadership in 2006.
Warman 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.
Coquese Washington, Port Matilda
Coquese Washington, who helped lead Notre Dame to the 2001 NCAA Championship, was introduced as the fifth head coach of the Penn State women’s basketball program on April 23, 2007. Coquese is the first female African-American head coach in Penn State history. In Coquese’s second season, the Lady Lions moved up three positions in the Big Ten standings, finishing in a tie for seventh place. Prior to her arrival at Penn State, Coquese was an associate head coach and assistant coach under Muffet McGraw at Notre Dame, her alma mater. The epitome of a student-athlete, Coquese graduated from Notre Dame in 1992, a full year ahead of schedule, with a bachelor’s degree in history. She went on to attain "Double Domer" status in 1997 after earning her Juris Doctorate from the Notre Dame Law School. Coquese juggled finishing her law degree with the start of her professional basketball career. She returned to the hardwood as a professional in 1997-98, playing for the ABL’s Portland Power before spending a two-year stint with the WNBA’s New York Liberty (1998-99). Coquese moved to Houston for the 2000 season, where she played an instrumental role in leading the Comets to the WNBA title. She had a solid season in 2001 with the Comets and Hall of Fame coach Van Chancellor, finishing ninth in the WNBA in assists and fourth in steals as Houston earned its fifth consecutive playoff berth. Coquese started the 2002 campaign with Houston before being traded to the Indiana Fever at the midway point of the season. Coquese guided the Fever to their first-ever playoff berth and became the first player in WNBA history to lead three different teams to the postseason. She finished her professional career in 2003 as a member of the Fever. Utilizing her law degree, Coquese was a central figure in helping create the WNBA Players Association (WNBPA), serving as the founding president of the WNBPA from 1999 until 2001. She also served as the Executive Vice President of the WNBPA from 2001 until her retirement in 2003.
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