Leadership Team

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.

Carrie Alexander  serves as the Chief People & Administration Officer at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she has been part of the council’s leadership team since 2022. She brings a deep, lifelong commitment to Girl Scouting, with more than 15 years of volunteer experience that includes serving as a troop leader, service unit manager, member of the CEO Roundtable, and participation on the board’s membership sustainability committee. Professionally, Carrie offers a broad and strategic business background, with experience at Michelin North America and IBM, as well as more than 15 years as an entrepreneurial COO, leading operational growth and people-centered strategies across organizations. Her unique blend of corporate, entrepreneurial, and Girl Scout leadership informs her passion for building strong teams and advancing the mission of Girl Scouts.
Angelique Lenox  is the Chief Relationship Officer for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she leads the council’s relationship strategy, partnership development, and donor engagement efforts. With more than two decades of experience in business development, sales, and marketing, Angelique brings a natural ability to build trust, understand people, and create meaningful connections that advance the mission of Girl Scouting. 
 
Before joining the nonprofit sector, Angelique built an award-winning career as a Senior Account Executive with leading media organizations including iHeartMedia, Hearst Media, and Nexstar Media Group. She later served as Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at Tampa Family Health Centers, strengthening her passion for community-centered work. Across every role, she has been recognized for her ability to listen deeply, collaborate thoughtfully, and create long-lasting partnerships. 
 
Angelique currently serves as the Immediate Past Chair of the North Tampa Bay Chamber and on the Board of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Tampa Bay Area Chapter, where she is in her second term as the 1st Vice President of Programs. She is dedicated to connecting people to purpose and helping donors see the powerful impact their generosity makes in the lives of girls.
Christina Mitchell  is a creative nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of experience in community engagement, operations, and organizational leadership. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she leads revenue generation, volunteer engagement, and large-scale community initiatives. Christina has a proven track record of building collaborative partnerships, strengthening operational systems, and recruiting and developing diverse, high-performing teams of staff and volunteers. Her career spans senior leadership roles at Metropolitan Ministries and Girl Scouts, where she consistently translated mission into measurable impact through strategic planning, strong project management, and deep community relationships.
Renee Murch, PE , is a civil engineer and senior operations and facilities professional driving facilities excellence and outdoor program growth for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida as Chief of Camps and Facilities. With deep roots in the Girl Scout experience and a professional background in engineering and project delivery, she oversees the stewardship and enhancement of the council’s camp properties and building portfolio, ensuring safe, engaging, and mission-aligned spaces where girls thrive. Renee plays a key role in expanding outdoor programming and supporting the Camp Program team, bringing new adventure, equestrian, and summer camp offerings to life, and has guided the successful completion of impactful capital projects, including renovated cabins at Camp Wai Lani, the construction of a covered riding arena at Camp Wildwood, and other essential infrastructure upgrades that elevate camper experience. She also supports the council’s Retail Department, which operates a primary Girl Scout store at the Leadership Center and additional retail locations at Camp Wai Lani, Camp Wildwood, and Camp Dorothy Thomas, ensuring facilities and systems effectively support Retail Operations. Her work is focused on aligning physical spaces, program delivery, and operational systems to create meaningful experiences for girls and volunteers. Renee’s work reflects a commitment to empowering girls through quality environments, experiential learning, and sustained organizational impact.
Kim Amtmann-Buettner serves as Vice President of Product Program.

Sara Arias-Steele, Ph.D., serves as Vice President of Programs & Partnerships for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she connects community, partnerships, and purpose to create meaningful leadership experiences for girls. She provides strategic leadership for council-wide program design, signature events, sponsored programs, and community partnerships serving more than 20,000 girls across eight counties. Her work spans STEM, Outdoors, Entrepreneurship, and Girl Leadership, with a focus on delivering high-quality, inclusive experiences that strengthen girl engagement, volunteer involvement, and long-term sustainability.

A bilingual, first-generation leader with more than 15 years of experience in education and nonprofit leadership, Sara brings a deep background in culturally responsive programming, evaluation, and partnership development. She previously directed Learn & Play Tampa Bay at the Glazer Children’s Museum and helped build workforce and early childhood programs in rural and immigrant communities in South Hillsborough County. Sara holds a Ph.D. focused on youth agency and resilience and is deeply committed to creating spaces where girls—especially Black, Hispanic, and rural girls—can explore leadership, careers, and their full potential. She is passionate about mentoring staff and youth, serving as a parent volunteer and camp chef for her twins’ Girl Scout troop, strengthening community partnerships, and ensuring Girl Scouts remains a relevant, empowering experience for every girl.

 

Marilyn Defensor is a Regional Director in the Membership Department serving Pinellas, Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter and Marion counties at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. She has been working with the organization for over 15 years, serving in various roles within the membership team before joining the Senior Leadership Team.

Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for non-profit work and a commitment to serving others. Prior to joining Girl Scouts, she served as an Outreach Coordinator, assisting communities in need of mental health and substance abuse counseling. Marilyn also supported parents of children entering the Head Start program in Pinellas County.

Marilyn holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Puerto Rico and is Certified Plumbing Contractor. She is a parent of two and grandmother of four, and resides in Port Richey with her husband, Jose. 

Danielle D’Elia serves as the Director of Camp Programs for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, bringing years of dedicated staff leadership to the organization, many years of prior volunteer service, and a strong professional background in youth development. Her connection to Girl Scouting is deeply rooted, shaped by long-standing involvement that reflects both her passion for empowering young people and her commitment to the Girl Scout mission. In her current role, she oversees all outdoor programs across the council’s four camp properties, including troop and service unit programs, council-wide camp events, and summer camp operations. She has successfully led and managed two highly impactful summer camp seasons, helping to create meaningful, safe, and enriching outdoor experiences for girls throughout the region. Her work focuses on program quality, camper experience, staff development, and the continued growth of outdoor programming. She brings extensive experience in youth development to her role, having previously worked in positions focused on mentoring, program leadership, and creating inclusive, developmentally appropriate experiences for young people. She is honored to serve Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and is committed to strengthening outdoor programming that inspires confidence, leadership, and personal growth in girls across the region.

 

Wendy Driggers  serves as the Vice President of Member Services for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, bringing more than six years of dedicated staff experience to the organization. Her connection to Girl Scouting extends beyond her professional role, as she also served as a Troop Leader for her daughter from first grade through high school. Throughout her years as a volunteer within her Service Unit, Wendy took on a variety of leadership responsibilities, further deepening her commitment to the Girl Scout mission. In her current role, she oversees the Customer Care and Placement Team, managing a wide range of customer service inquiries and ensuring the successful processing of all leads and memberships. Wendy is deeply proud of her team and grateful for their unwavering dedication, recognizing them as a vital strength of the council. She is honored to be part of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and passionate about contributing to the continued success and growth of the organization.

Brandon Hensler is the Vice President of Marketing & Communications for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. Reporting to the CEO, he is responsible for integrated marketing, communications, donor communications and events. As the primary architect of GSWCF’s public image, the VP of MarCom drives brand visibility, storytelling, and donor engagement across an 8-county footprint serving 20,000+ members, volunteers, alumnae, donors, and Lifetime Members. This role blends creativity and strategy to diversify revenue, strengthen donor and sponsor relationships, and inspire more girls and families to join Girl Scouts.

Hensler brings 25 years’ experience in public relations, corporate and internal communications, reputation management, marketing, and social media to generate action-oriented storytelling and outcome-based results. He's passionate about the communities where he lives and serves and is dedicated to building positive sustainability and change.

In addition to his nonprofit leadership, he is the founding president of The Hensler Group, a boutique communications firm providing full-service strategic solutions. He previously served as Executive Director of Public Relations, Marketing, and Creative Services at Nova Southeastern University, led statewide and national communications for the ACLU of Florida, and held editorial and sales roles with PR Newswire. Accredited in Public Relations by the Universal Accreditation Board, he is also certified as a Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt. 
 
A native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., he earned a B.A. in International Studies/Latin American Studies from Miami University (Ohio), and a M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Nova Southeastern University. 
He serves as a member of the Public Relations Society of America, the Tampa Bay Chamber, North and South Tampa Chambers, and the Hispanic Chamber of Tampa. He previously served on the Safety Harbor Chamber of Commerce board, and the Executive Committee and Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of South Florida. Brandon was appointed to the Broward County Human Rights Board from 2012-2014 and was a founding member of the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association's Sun Trolley Foundation Board. A past-president of the Public Relations Society of America’s Greater Fort Lauderdale Chapter, he also served on the Board of Trustees of the Miami University “1809” LGBT Alumni Association and graduated in Leadership Broward's Class 30. 

Through strategic communications solutions, he empowers organizational and personal growth with integrity by cultivating inclusive environments ripe for crafting compelling narratives and fostering authentic connections.

Carlton Jones serves as the Director of Information Technology. He leads our technology strategy, ensuring systems, data, and infrastructure support business goals securely and efficiently. He oversees IT operations, manages vendors, sets technology standards, and guides long-term planning for security, data, and system improvements.

He studied mechanical engineering and computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He began his career in technical support with Dell Computers in Orlando before relocating to Tampa in 2001, where he developed expertise in database structure and SQL while working for a background check company.

In 2016, Carlton joined Girl Scouts of West Central Florida as Council Administrator, overseeing council-wide data reporting. He later became the primary liaison between GSUSA and the council for data quality, data privacy, and data cleanup initiatives. In recognition of his leadership and technical expertise, Carlton was promoted to IT Manager in 2024 and then Director of IT in 2025.

Anna Langley serves as the Director of Governance & Executive Affairs at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she brings a collaborative, mission-driven approach to strengthening organizational processes and supporting cross-functional initiatives. With a background spanning program support, volunteer engagement, and organizational operations, Anna is known for building strong internal systems and cultivating positive relationships with staff, volunteers, and community partners.

Anna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in International Business, providing a strong strategic and organizational foundation for her work. A proud military spouse for more than 22 years, she has lived across the United States—from New York to Hawaii—experiences that have shaped her adaptability, resilience, and commitment to service. A former Girl Scout Brownie who learned early leadership lessons selling cookies, Anna maintains a lifelong connection to the mission. She is an advocate for continuous learning and personal growth, enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors, and is passionate about contributing to community initiatives that empower youth.

Shari Money has worked for Girl Scouts of West Central Florida for 21 years and currently serves as Director of Retail Operations. Throughout her tenure, she has held several leadership roles, including Membership Director and Director of Program and Collaborations, providing her with a broad and well-rounded perspective on council operations and mission delivery.

 Originally from Long Beach, California, Shari was a Girl Scout herself and later continued her Girl Scout journey in Fort Worth, Texas, where she volunteered for 14 years. Prior to relocating to Florida in 2005, she built a diverse professional background in the travel industry and with several nonprofit organizations.

 Shari holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Professional Leadership from Southeastern University with a minor in Education. A Lifetime Girl Scout, she is deeply committed to empowering girls and ensuring meaningful experiences through innovative programming, including career exploration, outdoor adventures, and STEM initiatives.

 In her spare time, Shari is an active member of a Tampa Bay pirate krewe, participating in parades and community volunteer efforts. She also enjoys live music, Florida’s beaches and traveling.

 

Sabrina Nirenberg serves as Vice President of Volunteer Development and Belonging, with more than 24 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. A long-tenured Girl Scout professional who has served across three councils, Sabrina joined Girl Scouts of West Central Florida in 2018. Her experience with organizations such as Boys & Girls Clubs of America, FEMA, and Everybody Wins Atlanta provides deep expertise in volunteer engagement, fundraising, marketing, membership growth, sustainability, and staff development. Sabrina is known for thriving in challenging environments, thinking creatively, and delivering impactful, result-oriented solutions that are inclusive, diverse, and operationally efficient. She wholeheartedly believes that collaborative environments are key to success, and her motto is “Exclude me, and I am your judge; include me, and I am your partner.”

Sabrina’s connection to Girl Scouting began as a Brownie and continued through Cadettes, an experience that shaped her lifelong passion for and strong belief in the program’s power to build courage, confidence, and character. Her volunteer service with German Shepherd Dog of Georgia, M.E.N.S Wear Inc., and the Make-A-Wish Foundation has deepened her understanding of the vital role volunteers play in advancing mission-driven organizations, including Girl Scouts of West Central Florida. A native Georgian, Sabrina attended Albany State University and the University of Georgia. She now resides in Tampa with her husband and three beloved fur babies. An avid foodie and travel enthusiast, Sabrina credits her Girl Scout experience with fostering the courage to try new things—an outlook that led her to become a certified scuba diver, an activity she now enjoys more often as a Florida resident.

Carmyn Samuel joined the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida in February 2025, bringing a versatile professional background encompassing classroom teaching, school leadership, athletic coaching, and auxiliary programming directorship. As a mission-focused leader, Carmyn has a proven track record of scaling organizations by aligning with core goals and maintaining the stamina required for clear, effective communication. She utilizes data-driven insights to execute actionable plans, employing a leadership style that blends high engagement with positive reinforcement to foster a culture of productivity.

A graduate of the University of South Florida, Carmyn holds a B.S. in Secondary Education and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership, supplemented by ongoing professional certifications. Outside of her career, she enjoys coaching alongside her husband, supporting her three children in their athletic pursuits, and finding balance through gardening, hiking, and board games.

Shannon Wendt is the Vice President of Finance for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, where she oversees accounting, budgeting, and financial strategy while supporting Council team members and local troops. She is passionate about designing and improving financial processes in close collaboration with end users, with a focus on efficiency, accuracy, and ease of use.

With more than 10 years of experience in financial leadership, Shannon is known for her strategic thinking, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to helping teams succeed. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School and the University of Miami School of Business, she brings a unique, inquisitive, and thoughtful perspective to her work in support of the Girl Scout mission.

Miracle Zuloaga  is the Director of Philanthropy at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, with a background as a longtime educator and youth-development leader. With 15+ years across education and the nonprofit sector, she’s known for designing engaging, impact-driven programs and cultivating strong teams and community partnerships. A University of Florida alum, Miracle holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and an M.Ed. with a specialization in ESOL, and is passionate about helping young people build the skills and confidence to thrive.

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