Board of Directors
Dr. Deirdre Dixon believes that leaders can always continue to develop. After over 20 years as an Army officer with combat experience, she applied her knowledge and practical leadership to teaching and designing leadership programs. Dr. Dixon is an Associate Professor of Management and Associate Director of the Center for Leadership at the University of Tampa. Deirdre earned her engineering degree from West Point, her MBA from Duke University, and her management PhD from Case Western Reserve University.  Her area of research interest is in extremis leadership, when the leader’s life is in danger, looking at resilience and military, police, and firefighters. She is a graduate of Leadership Tampa, Class of 2005, and she is excited to begin serving as the President of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. Deirdre earned her Gold Award as a Girl Scout, and she has two daughters who were Girl Scouts, one of whom also earned her Gold Award.

Michelene Everett, CMP DES is a senior meeting manager for American Express Global Business Travel. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Hyde Park Event Design, an event management company based in Tampa Bay.  Her events are designed to ensure that attendees will bring their experiences home with them through interaction and immersion.

As a Corporate Event Professional, Michelene has extensive meeting planning experience from large trade shows and conferences to executive committee meetings.  Her industry experience spans pharmaceutical, medical device, software technology, and non-profit sectors.  She is a graduate of the International School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Fairleigh Dickinson University.  As an event expert, she currently serves on the Board of Meeting Professionals International (MPI), which is the largest meeting and event industry association worldwide.  As the director of strategic alliance, she works with suppliers and event planners throughout Tampa Bay to help them achieve their business goals by sharing strengths and resources.  She also serves as the newest board member for Tampa Bay Business for Culture and the Arts (TBBCA).

Michelene has served and will continue to serve her community through action.  In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, she has led the Fund Development Committee to a highly successful Women of Distinction event in 2023. She has served as President of The Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association and is currently an active committee member for the St. Pete Arts Alliance Shine Mural Festival, HK Partnership, and Academy Prep (EOD) committees.

Michelene is a native New Yorker but is proud to call St. Petersburg her home where she resides with her husband, Dr. Farhan Malik.

Marion Rich has been a resident of Pinellas County, Florida for 37 years.  She grew up in Massillon, Ohio and graduated from the University of Cincinnati with undergraduate and graduate degrees in Communication Arts and Film Studies.

She began her community volunteer work in 1990 with the Junior League of Clearwater Dunedin.  Her training through the Junior League led her into the next 30 years of volunteer leadership in the Tampa Bay region.  Marion has served/is serving in leadership positions on several nonprofit boards including: First Contact (20 years/past board chairman), Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation (immediate past Board chair), Morton Plant Mease Health Care,  Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, Pinellas Community Foundation,  the Junior League of Clearwater Dunedin (past president), Film Foundation of Tampa Bay (founder and past chair), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, and Ruth Eckerd Performing Arts Center. She is the current president of the Guild at the Dali Museum.

Outside of the Tampa Bay region, Marion currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Lincoln Center Film in New York City,

Marion was the leader of her daughter’s Girl Scout troop for 12 years.  The troop spent five years producing a documentary about famous women who were Girl Scouts across the country. Marion continued her involvement with GSWCF by serving on the Board Development Committee, chairing the council’s 100th Anniversary Celebration, chairing Women of Distinction for three years, and serving as Second Vice President on the Board of Directors and Chair of the Fund Development Committee. In 2002, the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida recognized Marion as a Woman of Distinction; the same year she received the Greater Clearwater Chamber of Commerce Ms. Clearwater Award. In 2017, she was inducted into the GSWCF Women of Distinction Hall of Fame, and in 2018, she was the Women of Distinction Presenting Sponsor.

Dr. Sue Ryan Goodman, DBA, CFA, CPA, is a lifetime Girl Scout and seasoned financial professional with over 30 years of finance, investment, and accounting experience. After retiring from her New York City investment job in 2013, Dr. Goodman began working with nonprofits and was an interim executive director of one for nearly a year in 2016/17. This led her to write her dissertation on nonprofit governance and she currently advises nonprofits on governance matters; however, finance and accounting are her passions.

Dr. Goodman earned her DBA from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida. Additionally, she has an MBA from Rutgers University and a BS in Accounting from Marquette University and is a Chartered Financial Analyst and a Certified Public Accountant. She is a Lifetime Girl Scouts and currently serves on the board of directors of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she also sits on the Finance Committee. Dr. Goodman is also on the board of the CFA Society of Tampa Bay. She and her husband moved to St Petersburg from New Jersey seven years ago and has two adult children who live in the Philadelphia, PA area and Billings, MT, respectively.

Why Girl Scouts? Growing up, my dad was self-employed, so there was little disposable income for travel or adventure.  Girl Scouts was my ticket to spend time outdoors and experience other opportunities I otherwise would have missed. I want to open girls’ eyes up to the world around them and I believe Girl Scouts is one of the best ways to accomplish that!  I became a leader out of college and was excited to sign up my daughter once she was old enough.  In 2008, we were both National Delegates and she went on to earn her Gold Award in 2009.   

Stephen Ponzillo is a Vice President & Community Relations Officer with Regions Financial Corporation.  Anchored by Regions’ mission to make life better, Stephen is privileged to build partnerships with nonprofit organizations across West, Central and North Florida – which allow the bank and its associates to focus their time, talents and financial resources toward causes that empower people through education, financial wellness and inclusive economic growth.

Prior to joining Regions, Stephen served for 17 years as a leader within high-performing nonprofit organizations in Tampa Bay, as well as in Northern Indiana and Washington, D.C. This included two years of post-graduate service as an AmeriCorps member in both south St. Petersburg and the nation’s capital.   He holds a Bachelor of Arts, as well as a Master of Nonprofit Administration (MNA) from the University of Notre Dame.

A passionate advocate committed to helping children and families overcome obstacles to success, Stephen is honored to champion the next generation of change-makers as a member of our Girl Scouts of West Central Florida Board and he recently chaired the Membership Sustainability Committee.  He lives in Hillsborough County with his amazing daughter Caroline, a proud member of Daisy Troop 1843.   

Mary Pat King, CAE, was named CEO of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) in March 2020. GSWCF serves nearly 18,000 members spanning eight counties: Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Polk, Citrus, Sumter and Marion.

Prior to Girl Scouts, Mary Pat spent her career working for national organizations focused on issues most impacting youth, families and schools. She led the conceptual design and launch of numerous National PTA programs including: School of Excellence, STEM + Families, Smart Talk, Connect for Respect, Take Your Family to School Week and Family Reading Experience. For the American Diabetes Association, Mary Pat managed ADA’s youth, family and community outreach programs nationwide, including ADA’s 56 Diabetes Camps, Diabetes Expo, Live Empowered, Family Link and Port tu Familia. She also ran two fundraising events nationwide: Father of the Year Awards Galas and School Walk for Diabetes. At Safe Kids Worldwide, Mary Pat managed the first few years of the Safe Kids Walk This Way program, partnering with FedEx to scale up a three-school pilot of International Walk to School Day in 2001 to 300+ participating schools worldwide by 2004. Mary Pat also worked at two Washington, DC-based public relations firms, where she managed client portfolios focused on mental health and education issues. She began her career as a news clerk and intern features writer for The Watertown (NY) Daily Times.

During the past 20+ years, Mary Pat has helped to raise more than $10 million in corporate and foundation grants; trained hundreds of staff and volunteers worldwide; and volunteered as an expert advisor to numerous nonprofits and federal agencies in the design of community engagement initiatives including: Action for Healthy Kids’ Every Kid Healthy Campaign, Safe Routes to School National Partnership, SAMHSA’s Talk. They Hear You. Campaign, SAMHSA’s National Wellness Week, Ad Council's StopBullying.Gov campaign, WETA’s (PBS) Well Beings initiative, the White House Convening on Marketing to Youth and the Jed Foundation’s Set to Go Program.

Mary Pat serves on the Hillsborough Commission on the Status of Women, is a Certified Association Executive (CAE), and is a John Maxwell Certified Leadership Trainer. She is a frequent leadership speaker to community groups, and she is a member of the Florida Society of Association Executives and Girl Scout Staff Association. She has a Master of Science degree in public relations from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse (NY) University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Le Moyne College, Syracuse, NY. Mary Pat and her husband, Eric, live in Palm Harbor, FL with their two children, Mason and Jenna Bea. She is a parent volunteer for her daughter’s Girl Scout Troop.

Linette “Starr” Brookins is an award-winning first-generation attorney, fourth generation Tampa native, and a true servant leader who has excelled in the courtroom, inspired in the classroom, and made a true difference in the Tampa Bay community for over two decades. Not only is Ms. Brookins a tried-and-true trial attorney, she also serves as a Hearing Officer with Hillsborough County. Having seen firsthand how the justice system can favor the fortunate and forget the fragile, Ms. Brookins has worked diligently to instill faith and confidence in the justice system by extending respect and humility to all who appear before her as a Hearing Officer and ensuring that they all feel heard, while also ensuring fidelity to the rule of law.

Ms. Brookins is a devoted community leader and public servant. Currently, she serves as President-Elect of the Hillsborough Association for Women Lawyers; Chair of the Young Women of Promise Committee and a Board Member of The Athena Society; Vice President of the Guardian Ad Litem Foundation of Tampa Bay/Hero to A Child; a Teen Court volunteer Judge; a member of Ybor City’s Rotary Club; a Board Member of The Regent and Tampa Bay Tiger Club; and a member of The University of Tampa’s Board of Counselors.

Ms. Brookins is a single mother, after having adopted a teenager who spent much of her life in foster care; she is the proud mom to her fur baby, Franklyn Theodore. Ms. Brookins enjoys spending her free time exploring the world through travel, baking, running, taking Pilates classes, as well as motivating and mentoring young women particularly those at risk or in the child welfare system, and encouraging them to show up in every room as their authentic selves and seeing their true worth.

Sharon Docherty Danco has been a trusted legal advisor to business executives and boards of directors for 35 years.  She has extensive experience structuring, negotiating, and closing sophisticated commercial, technology, and M&A transactions. Sharon spent 27 years in private practice with a highly respected boutique, commercial law firm, where she served as Co-Practice Leader for the firm’s Corporate Finance Group. In 2018, Sharon launched her own private practice with the goal of helping a select group of businesses, entrepreneurs, and executives in a traditional practice and as retained general counsel. 

She has served on the Board of Children’s Home Network for 15 years and served as Chair of that Board for two years. She has served on The Children’s Home Foundation, Inc. Board since 2011, where she served as Board Chair for three years. She spearheaded the organizations’ 2022 strategic planning, 2021 senior management succession planning, and 2016 corporate governance restructuring, and helped to drive the doubling of the organizations’ endowment. She also served a seven-year term on the Board of Directors of the Association for Corporate Growth, Tampa Bay. She previously served on the Board of Directors of Morning Star School and the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tampa Bay.

Sharon served on the Board of Directors of First Citrus Bank and First Citrus Bancorporation (OTCMKTS: FCIT) for five years.  She chaired the Finance & Capital Planning Committee, which steered the Bank’s successful 2022 sale and was responsible for the bank’s subordinated debt offerings, acquisition evaluations, and revision of the Bank’s capital and strategic plans. She also served on the Bank’s Enterprise Risk Management and Corporate Governance & Nominating Committees.

Sharon sought an opportunity to volunteer with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida to continue her mission of serving children in our community. A former Brownie and Girl Scout, she missed scouting when her family moved to a rural area that did not provide scouting opportunities. Her early Girl Scout experience helped build her confidence and character.  While she remains committed to supporting young women by mentoring and advocacy through organizations such as Women Corporate Directors, Women Executive Leadership, Women on Their Way, and 50/50 Women on Boards, Sharon is excited to support an organization that empowers our future women leaders and citizens as they navigate an increasingly difficult landscape for young people.

Jule Doran Salem spent her formative years in Sarasota, FL before moving to Tampa to attend the University of South Florida where she received her Bachelors in Finance followed by a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Tampa. She currently serves as Managing Director of Salem Solutions, a nationally recognized workforce management firm that specializes in call center staffing.

While in Sarasota, she actively participated in Girl Scouts and 4-H. She enjoyed equestrian sports where she won numerous awards in hunt seat equitation and jumping.

After receiving her undergraduate and graduate degrees, Jule’s interest in pursuing a career in business continued to grow while serving as a finance and accounting leader for Coca-Cola, Hovnananian Enterprises, XPO Logistics and Vastec. In 2012, she set out to build Salem Solutions with a focus on her vision of humanizing call center staffing and delivering exceptional solutions to both the clients and candidates they serve.

Concurrent to her role at Salem, Jule serves as CFO for Enable America, a non-profit whose mission is to increase employment for Veterans and individuals with disabilities. She is also a Board Member of the City of Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Persons with Disabilities, as well as a member of the University of Tampa, Board of Fellows, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, American Staffing Association, HR Tampa, Tampa Bay Chamber and Staffing Industry Analysts.

Jule lives in Tampa with her husband, Richard, and their two dogs, Riley and Lilly.

Tracy Holt is a Market Leader with LMCU, specializing in helping others achieve financial stability. Tracy is no stranger to the financial industry. She has spent the past 30+ years working in the banking system in New York and Florida. She currently manages the operations and community relations for the Temple Terrace Banking Center. Tracy has held various leadership positions, including AVP of Operations and VP of a Banking Center. Tracy holds a BS in Business Management from Medaille College in Buffalo, NY.


Tracy believes we all have a gift and obligation to give our time and talents. She has worked with several non-profit organizations throughout the Tampa Bay Region. She currently serves on the Board of The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, the Uptown Temple Terrace Chamber Board, and the treasurer of the Ivy Enrichment Foundation of Tampa Bay. Tracy is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated and proud Leadership Tampa Bay Alumna, Class of 21'.

Nancy Hutson is an executive with a wide range of experience and record of success in the theme park, entertainment and event industry. A longtime resident of the Tampa Bay area, Nancy and her family have a long history of serving the community and giving back.

Most recently, Nancy launched her own entertainment company, Full Stop Productions, Inc. producing shows, experiences and events within the live entertainment industry. Her current clients include Mattel, Lions Gate Productions, LEGOLAND, NBCUniversal, MGA, and Dollywood, to name a few.

A respected leader in her field, she is known for her work ethic and attention to detail. Previously, she was the Associate Producer and Director of Entertainment for the Feld Entertainment Studios, the largest producer of arena shows worldwide. She produced the Disney on Ice productions, created a VIP event experience and traveled the world working with performers, technical crews and staffs on show quality and operations. This amazing opportunity for extensive business travel, scouting and researching new products allowed Nancy to develop the appreciation of diverse cultures. She also served as the Vice President of Events and Entertainment for SeaWorld and as the Vice President of Entertainment for Busch Gardens in Tampa where she managed an $18M budget, a direct team of 25 and a department of 300. Her teams developed many award-winning shows and events including Christmas Town and the Food and Wine Festival and also managed nearly 350 one-time events annually, ranging from weddings to fundraisers to youth programming.

Having lived in Tampa most of her life she has remained very active in the community. With her event background, she often serves on fundraising and development committees. With a heart for philanthropy and her background in education, she especially enjoys opportunities to serve youth and education programming. This continues today with her commitment to the University of South Florida teaching Event Management as an adjunct facility member.

Nancy and her husband Mark raised three boys (aptly names for the three musketeers) in Temple Terrace. Active in their church, Corpus Christi Catholic Church of Temple Terrace, they also enjoy paddle boarding, yoga and fostering dogs for Lab Rescue of Florida.

Lynn S. Jackson Dorman, M.Ed., M.S., LMHC

Colonel (Retired) US Army (2015)

My Girl Scout why:  “I have been devoted to the Girl Scouts movement since childhood, beginning as a Junior Girl Scout in Baltimore, Maryland. If you ask me how I found my way here, I’ll tell you it’s because this movement has been the bedrock of lifelong friendships with extraordinary women. If you ask me why it matters so deeply, I’ll tell you it’s because the lessons I learned in Girl Scouts—the skills I honed, the experiences I cherished—became the foundation of my professional journey.

My why is rooted in confidence. Girl Scouts showed me a world far wider than I had imagined—a world of camps beneath star-lit skies, friendships that felt like home, and experiences that shaped the woman I would become. My why is woven into the unbreakable bond I still feel with the movement, with my first troop, and with the remarkable women who led us with wisdom and warmth.

My why is for every girl—past, present, and future—who finds in Girl Scouts a haven, a launching pad, and a place where she is seen, nurtured, and empowered.”

Lynn Dorman graduated of the College of Notre Dame of Maryland and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Loyola University, Maryland. She received her Master of Education, Administration and Supervision in Higher Education, from Loyola University and her Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University of Honolulu in Hawaii. She is a Baltimore, Maryland native.

Professionally, Lynn served for 27 years in the US Army until her retirement as a Human Resources Officer from the US Army Pacific Command at FT Shafter Hawaii. Professionally, Lynn has served as Executive Officer to the Director for Human Relations Policy for the US Army; Senior Director of Personnel; Senior Director of Diversity; Senior Director of Compliance for the Commonwealth of Virginia National Guard and the Army Cyber Command; and Chief Administrative Officer for US Army Pacific Command.

Lynn is currently the Clinic Director of Family Care Center in Tampa, having recently closed her practice, Transformative Therapies. She is certified as a Gottman Level II marriage counselor, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) Certification through the Evergreen Certifications and a Certified Forensic Mental Health Evaluator (CFMHE). Her counseling experiences include working with federal and state ex-offenders, veterans with addiction in inpatient hospitals, clients with substance abuse in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and family members with loved ones in hospice.

Lynn has a passion for and extensive experience in leading and serving in both women’s service and charitable organizations. She currently  serves as the Vice President of Governance of the Board of Directors of the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. Additionally, she serves as the Financial Secretary of the Pierians, Inc. having recently served as the President of the Pierians Foundation, Inc., the club’s philanthropic arm that awards grants to young artists and community arts projects on behalf of members of the Pierians Inc. a national club for women who celebrate the arts. Her past nonprofit leadership includes President of The ROCKs, All American Chapter, (2003-2004); Treasurer of the Pierians, Inc., (2016-2018); Clerk and member of the Vestry of St Andrews Episcopal Church having led the financial audit team. She is a Silver Star member of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Dr. Deborah Kish Stephan is the Brandon Campus President of Hillsborough Community College. Deborah, a seasoned higher education administrator and strategist, is a strong supporter of teaching and learning excellence, innovation, calculated growth, and fiscal sustainability. Her work is grounded in the principles of access and success for all students, investing in people, providing rigorous and relevant programming, and engaging in continuous quality improvement. Deborah earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and her Master of Business Administration and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida. In 2016, she earned her Doctor of Education from The Roueche Graduate Center.

Deborah has spent her career in higher education administration by taking on progressive responsibilities, growing campuses, managing multi-million-dollar budgets, and engaging in complex projects. Deborah’s creativity and unique ability to innovate have been paramount in designing systems, processes, and facilities to advance a learning-centered institution, a culture of excellence, advocating for modernization of operations and programs, and meeting the community’s needs. Previously, she served as a Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at two colleges developing multiple new programs and as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer tasked with launching “America’s Online Community College” at another. At Hillsborough, Deborah has co-launched the Tampa Electric Line Workers Program, a Massage Therapy Program, and is in the process of launching a new FinTech program.

Deborah's passion for Girl Scouts is rooted in the power of Girl Scouts to shape the future of our communities and empower our girls to create impact in their communities. Her experience as a Girl Scout instilled the values of leadership, resilience, and teamwork, all of which propel her today. Deborah also served as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's troop where she created experiences for the Girl Scouts to learn those same values. Working with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, Deborah would be honored to cultivate similar meaningful experiences rooted in growth, opportunity, and empowerment for girls in our community.

Finally, Deborah serves as a Board Member and Executive Committee member of the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce and a Board Member for The Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce the Brandon Community Advantage Center. She is also the Chair of HCA Florida Brandon Hospital's Board. Previously, she served as a Board member on the Angel Foundation and the HCC Foundation. She is noted as an innovator and an empathetic leader who inspires her team with a tremendous passion for the success for all students.

Joanne LeBlanc is a Vice President at Colliers and specializes in representing companies to find office space in Tampa Bay. Colliers is a $4.5B global commercial real estate firm and Joanne has worked at the company since 2008.

Throughout her tenure she has closed over $300M in transaction volume for local and multi-market clients. Her services also stretch throughout Florida, nationwide, & globally with the assistance of the Colliers worldwide network.

Joanne has been involved with the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida since June 2023 on the Fund Development Committee. Through her efforts, she assisted in securing TECO as a sponsor for the Women of Distinction 2024 event plus aided with numerous connections and meetings to various companies and potential sponsors.

In her spare time, she participates in her daughter’s Daisy troop’s cookie fundraiser, her son’s softball league, and enjoys running, Zumba, and working out.

Abby Mackness is CEO of Mackness and Poore Consulting, LLC, a firm specializing in program management and business and proposal development. Abby moved to Florida from Washington D.C. where she was Senior Director for Federal Programs for MorphoTrust USA, a world leader in biometrics and identity management. She also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of the Nation’s Capital (GSCNC). Abby currently serves on the Board of Directors for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida (GSWCF) as the 2nd Vice President.

Abby has a rich Girl Scouting background- in addition to serving on the GSWCF Board of Directors in the past, Abby served as the Chair of the Fund Development Committee, has been a member of the Board Development Committee and has actively participated in strategic planning for our Council. She has also been a former troop leader, a member of the Women’s Advisory Board which mentors Girl Scouts going for the Gold, and a cookie mom. Abby has 4 children (3 girls and 1 boy) – all former Scouts- and one adorable Girl Scout Cadette granddaughter- Genevieve!

Nancy Millan made history as Hillsborough County's first female and Hispanic Tax Collector when elected in 2020, and voters affirmed her leadership by re-electing her in 2024 for her second term. Throughout her distinguished 35-year career, she has been instrumental in enhancing customer service, accessibility, and innovation. As Tax Collector, she oversees a team of over 400 employees across nine locations, serving 1.5 million residents with essential services like the issuance of driver licenses, vehicle registrations and property tax collection.

Millan’s leadership extends beyond her office; she was recently elected Secretary of the Florida Tax Collector Association’s Executive Committee.  Her community involvement is notable, having been recognized as Hillsborough County’s Hispanic Women of the Year in 2001 and receiving multiple awards for her public service and leadership.  A dedicated mother and proud Marine mom to her son Vinny, Nancy remains deeply connected to her Hillsborough County roots and is passionately committed to serving the community.

Why Girl Scouts?

As a former board member for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, I, Nancy Millan, am eager to return to this meaningful role. My previous service allowed me to connect with young women and inspire confidence as they reached for their dreams, an experience I found deeply fulfilling. As a Hispanic woman, I believe representation matters profoundly—seeing young girls recognize possibilities in themselves when they see someone who looks like them in a leadership position drives my passion to serve. I want to continue empowering the next generation of diverse leaders by sharing my perspective and experiences, helping all girls understand that their heritage is a strength and that opportunities are boundless regardless of their background. The Girl Scouts' mission of building courage, confidence, and character aligns perfectly with my personal commitment to mentoring young women as they discover their unique potential.

Ashley Nessler is the Business Strategy and Intelligence Manager for Preferred Banking Controls, Operations, and Supervision team at Bank of America.  Ashley is responsible for leading strategy development, client experience, partner integration, process simplification, and risk reduction for ~3.7K financial centers. In her role, Ashley is focused on improving the end-to-end process for complex account services and requests.

Ashley joined Bank of America in 2003 as a professional teller during her second year of college. She continued her trajectory through the Consumer and Small Business Banking, leading Sales associates, managing large scale transformation initiatives, and driving performance goals.

In 2020, Ashley led an organization of 400+ campus hires, with Enterprise Independent Testing efforts for the Paycheck Protection Program.  Prior to that, she developed and improved credit enablement programming through new program strategies for Small Business sales teammates and the Small Business Administration (SBA) team.  In 2021, Ashley took a role as Customer Segment Manager in the same group.  In this role, she led high-impact strategic initiatives in process design, performance, and delivery of business outcomes. 

Ashley is passionate about diversity and inclusion and led the creation of LEAD for Women in Greater Tampa Bay. Ashley serves as the Enterprise LEAD for Women Co-Leader, an employee network at Company Name. LEAD for Women is comprised of over 67 chapters and 60K+ members worldwide. Ashley serves on the Investing in Women Council for Bank of America to support women.  She is active in the Tampa Bay community, serving as a board member for the Centre for Women and the Girls Scouts of West Central Florida committing 75+ hours each year. Ashley was the Bank of America Diversity & Inclusion Award winner in 2017.

Ashley has a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Saint Leo University. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, photography and traveling. Ashley resides in Tampa, Florida with her husband, Christiaan, and her first daughter, Palmer.

I am passionate about empowering young girls to develop confidence, leadership skills, and a strong sense of community. My experience in mentoring, professional development and driving engagement aligns with the mission of Girl Scouts. I look forward to contributing my skills and supports to support the board. I am eager to help create meaningful opportunities that inspire the next generation of leaders. 

Courtney Paat is an insurance professional with 33 years industry experience. An entrepreneur and sales professional who is passionate about team building and leadership development. Courtney is a community organizer, leader and volunteer with numerous local organizations with a focus on empowering women leaders.

“Capitalizing on my two core strengths of integrity and responsibility, I have built a career and business based on work ethic, building relationships and serving others. One of my greatest joys is empowering others to improve their lives through education, skill sets, competencies and confidence.”

As a mother of a local Girl Scout and troop leader, I personally have seen the impact Girl Scouts has on our youth, especially girls. As my time as a troop leader and involvement with our local Service Unit has ended, I would like to continue my engagement at the Board level. I have lived and operated a small business in East Hillsborough County for the past 25 years and feel there is incredible opportunity to expand the Girl Scout footprint not only in this area, but also Polk County. Spreading the great news about Girl Scouts to not only local families, but also community leaders and potential donors is critical to our future success. I saw firsthand the impact Girl Scouts had on my own child and want to ensure all girls have the opportunity to have their own Girl Scout experience. 

LaKendria Robinson is a visionary leader at the helm of The Orenda Collective, a dynamic social impact strategy firm that partners with businesses and non-profit organizations to design, implement, and measure socially responsible initiatives that drive meaningful change. With over a decade of experience, she has emerged as a leading expert in social impact programming, equity-driven initiatives, and pioneering change.

The Orenda Collective: As the Founder and CEO of The Orenda Collective, LaKendria's expertise has forged a path for this innovative agency to become a powerhouse for social change. Since its inception in 2021, The Orenda Collective has consistently delivered groundbreaking social impact initiatives, collaborating with prominent organizations including the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Visit Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Partnership, United Way Suncoast, Fifth Third Bank, and the Beck Group, among others.

Diverse Business Empowerment: In 2022, LaKendria founded The Orenda Foundation, Inc., a 501c3 nonprofit organization devoted to removing obstacles faced by diverse business owners during their journey to start and grow their businesses. A beacon of innovation, the foundation's signature event, The OC Emporium, has quickly become a community favorite and cherished resource. It provides a platform where executives can directly connect and engage with highly skilled minority, women, veteran, and LGBT-owned businesses in Tampa Bay.

A Legacy of Impact: LaKendria's trailblazing career includes her pivotal role as the Business Connect & Community Outreach Director for Tampa Bay Super Bowl 55. During this time, she identified and facilitated connections between diverse businesses and contract opportunities linked to the "Big Game." LaKendria also co-led the Host Committee's Forever 55 social impact programs, navigating the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic with resilience and determination. Despite the odds, she provided vital resources to sustain businesses through the pandemic, launched the inaugural "Road to Gameday" Restaurant Week that drove business to local minority-owned restaurants across Tampa Bay and spearheaded a microgrant initiative that supported 25 Tampa Bay nonprofits in sustaining and expanding their vital work.

LaKendria is also the creator of the Tampa Bay Chamber’s internationally recognized Minority Business Accelerator program and served as its inaugural Director. Under her leadership, LaKendria created an impactful program that has since empowered more than a dozen Black and Hispanic business owners to realize their dreams of sustainable business growth. Many of these entrepreneurs have given back to the Tampa Bay community, enriching the region through their success and economic growth. 

Awards and Recognition: LaKendria's extraordinary contributions to social impact programming has earned her a series of esteemed honors. In 2020, she was celebrated as a standout talent in the Tampa Bay community, earning the prestigious Forty Under Forty accolade from the Business Observer. Her influential role in community development was further emphasized by her inclusion in the 2019 Forty Under 40 list by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

In 2022, LaKendria's commitment to creating positive change garnered the well-deserved Rising Star Community Service Award from the National Alumnae Association of Spelman College – Tampa Bay Chapter. This award recognized her substantial contributions through her time, talents, and actions, solidifying her status as a driving force for progress in Tampa Bay

Educational Background: LaKendria earned her bachelor's degree in Political Science and Communications from Florida State University, and her quest for knowledge led her to obtain a master's degree in Organizational Management and Leadership from Ashford University.

Community Engagement: Beyond her professional commitments, LaKendria is deeply involved in her community. She serves as Vice Chair of the board for Community Tampa Bay, Co-Chair of the Social Impact Committee of Women in Sports and Events Tampa Bay, and contributes her expertise to the Board Development Committee for Girls Scouts of West Central Florida.

Family-Centric: In the midst of her dynamic career, LaKendria cherishes life in Hillsborough County with her husband, William, and their two children, Skylar and Eli. They provide a strong foundation and a constant source of inspiration for her tireless efforts in the pursuit of social impact and positive change.

LaKendria Robinson's enduring legacy as a pioneering change maker, inspirational speaker, and catalyst for social impact reflects her unwavering commitment to creating a better Tampa Bay for all. Her visionary leadership continues to inspire and drive meaningful change in the community, and her insights as a TEDx speaker have left an indelible mark on those seeking to blaze their own trails of innovation and transformation.

Why Girl Scouts? I love serving and supporting the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida because I’ve seen firsthand its impact as a leader and a Girl Scout mom. Over the past two years, I’ve watched my daughter grow in confidence, leadership, and independence through the experiences and opportunities that Girl Scouts provides. It’s an honor to use my platform to elevate GSWCF's mission, ensuring that more girls, like my daughter, have the support and resources they need to strengthen their future through this incredible organization.

Yvette Segura is a community leader with more than 37 years of experience in the financial services industry. Yvette is the immediate past Chairwoman for the Tampa Bay Chamber, serving as chair in 2021. She recently retired from USAA after 33 years of leadership, most recently as the Regional Vice President in Tampa. In that role, Yvette was the senior officer for USAA in Tampa, Florida, serving as the representative to regional civic, industry and military organizations.

Yvette was recognized by Florida Trend’s Florida 500 - Florida’s Most Influential Business Leaders in 2020 and 2021 and The Tampa Bay Business Journal Power 100 in 2020 and 2021.

Yvette has served the community in a multitude of roles, providing her leadership experience to several organizations including the Tampa Bay Economic Development Corporation, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the University of Tampa Board of Trustees. She remains active in the community by serving on the University of South Florida Muma College of Business Executive Advisory Council, Feeding Tampa Bay’s capital campaign committee and the Stageworks Theatre advisory council. She also proudly serves on the One Tampa Foundation executive board of directors, selected by the Mayor of the City of Tampa.

In addition to these roles, Yvette is active with the military community. She served two terms as an Honorary Commander at MacDill AFB. During this time, she attended the prestigious Air War College and was identified to represent the Tampa Bay community as a civic leader to the Air Mobility Command. Yvette is a member of the MacDill civic leader council. She is an active volunteer in the community, sharing her time and experience with college students and young professionals in the community.

Yvette has worked in the insurance industry since 1984. Throughout that time, she held a variety of leadership positions including Vice President of Claims, international and domestic operations. Yvette holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Business Administration. She has attained the CPCU and CCLA designations. She has attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania’s insurance risk management program.

Yvette and her husband, Randal Collette, enjoy boating around the Tampa Bay area and traveling as often as possible.

Kelly Williams-Puccio is the Executive Director of Publix Super Markets Charities. Kelly has a B.A. in Business Management from Florida Atlantic University. She began her Publix career in 1979 while still in high school. She spent more than half of her career in Human Resources including several years as Director of Associate Relations. She has been responsible for managing the Foundation since 2012.

Kelly is a graduate of Leadership Lakeland and the recipient of Publix’s Mr. George Community Service Award, Junior Achievement’s Bronze and Silver Awards, and Girl Scouts of West Central Florida’s Appreciation Pin, Honor Pin and Heart of Gold Award.

India Witte believes in the transformational impact of education, philanthropy, and volunteerism, and has dedicated her personal and professional life to affecting change in our communities through these channels. A graduate of the Florida State University with a degree in English Literature, India is a seasoned advancement professional with over twenty-five years’ experience in fundraising, management, and program development, primarily in a university setting. India currently serves on the Executive Leadership Team for the USF Foundation and leads the organizations’ Principal Gifts enterprise.

A proud 5th generation Floridian, India grew up in Washington County and has lived in Tampa for the past 24 years. In addition to her professional achievements, she is an engaged civic leader, serving on boards of a number of organizations that require substantive commitment from members, including the Glazer Children’s Museum, St. John’s Episcopal Parish Day School, the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status of Women (past Chair), the Hillsborough County Charter Review Board, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women Foundation, and the Vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Parish Church.

A 2012 graduate of Leadership Tampa, India is a member of the Athena Society, USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy (Lifetime), the Junior League of Tampa (Sustainer), and the Alpha Delta Pi Alumnae Association. In 2022, India was named a “Woman of Distinction” by the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, recognizing her outstanding leadership & service to the community.

I am a 17-year-old student at H.B. Plant High School in Tampa, Florida, dedicated to community service, leadership, and civic engagement. With nearly 500 volunteer hours, I have worked with organizations like the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Metropolitan Ministries, and Voices for Children. As a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, I created a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Humane Society, saving nearly 700 orphaned kittens and puppies.

Beyond volunteering, I am a leader in Air Force Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol at MacDill AFB, honing leadership skills and teamwork. I am also part of the Ryan Nece Foundation Student Service Leadership Program and active in my school’s Speak Up Club and Origami Club. As an athlete, I have participated in rowing, flag football, swimming, and charity 5Ks. Inspired by six generations of military leaders in my family, I plan to become a military officer after college in 2030.

 

Why Girl Scouts? Being a Girl Scout has instilled in me leadership and collaboration skills that have been essential in guiding teams and making strategic decisions. Through community service projects, team-based problem-solving, and mentorship, I have learned how to effectively communicate, delegate tasks, and inspire others toward a common goal. Earning my Gold Award required leading a team to develop a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for orphaned animals, reinforcing my ability to organize, adapt, and execute complex initiatives. These experiences have prepared me to lead in Air Force Junior ROTC and Civil Air Patrol, where I have applied the same teamwork and leadership principles to high-pressure situations. The discipline, responsibility, and collaboration I have cultivated through Girl Scouts will be instrumental in ensuring my success as a future Air Force Military Officer.

Bio Coming Soon...

My name is Chloe, and I have been a Girl Scout for 11 years. As a Girl Scout for this long, I have had the opportunity to serve in multiple leadership positions, such as being CIT at camp Wai Lani and an Area E Delegate. I am currently a junior at Plant High School in Tampa, Florida. I enjoy learning languages, I have studied French and ASL and am currently in Spanish and Latin. I also enjoy reading and acting.

The only thing that comes to mind when I think about the question “Why Girl Scouts” is that there’s no other way for me to be. Who I am, what I have accomplished, and all of the amazing opportunities I have been afforded have been because of Girl Scouts. I have been able to see how the world is changed in the smallest and biggest of ways, whether it be from a speaker in the government or outreached hand on the playground. I have been able to fly through the air at challenge course and see a shark swimming silently underneath me at waterfront, and I have been able to form genuine connections with the people I know will be the leaders of tomorrow. I have been able to witness the way the world truly is and the way it can be, all because of Girl Scouts.

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