Governance
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Board Chair 
April Harrell-Devine
Board Chair
April approaches her life with an enthusiasm that has helped her achieve success in both her career at Florida Blue and life outside of work. As a veteran in the field of human resources, April has taken on many roles that have provided her with a unique perspective that allows her to see the larger picture of both the HR department and enterprise.
For more than 29 years, April has held several progressively larger and more complex roles in human resources. April attained a BFA from Valdosta State University and shortly thereafter began her career at Florida Blue as a corporate recruiter. Following her role as a recruiter, April led very successful, high performing teams to include employee relations, HR audit compliance, organization development, employee care contact center, diversity and inclusion and strategic HR business partners. April now serves as the senior director of human resources for enterprise enabling areas. In her current role, April supports several senior level executives and their teams and has enabled these business units to not only meet their objectives, but surpass desired business results.
In addition to her primary duties, April has held a number of leadership roles for a variety of executive committees within the company, including the Program and Policy Review Committee, HR/Corporate Communications Diversity Business Council, GuideWell Communities and Business Recovery Committee. Outside of Florida Blue, April has worked with several nonprofit organizations and held board positions with the American Red Cross, the Ronald McDonald House, The Bolles School, Okoa Refuge, Truth Republic, The Adoption Authority and the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council.
April steadfastly believes in maintaining a work-life balance and striking that is not an easy feat. In addition to her leadership responsibilities at Florida Blue and outside of it, April resides in South Jacksonville Beach with her husband, Robert. April and Robert have six children, one granddaughter, Myles, born in February 2018 and one grandson, Mack, born in June 2019.
Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Dordel
Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Dordel is a dynamic leader who has spent her career focusing
on and advocating for women and girls’ issues in the not-for-profit
arena. She is a transformational nonprofit executive who drives
large-scale growth, builds world-class teams, and develops cultures
that foster inclusivity, trust, and accountability. Wendy brings with
her 20+ years of Girl Scout Executive experience coupled with a
career-long background in multiple non-profit agencies and
environments.
Prior to this appointment, Wendy served as Vice President of Council
Consulting at Girl Scouts of the USA where she focused on building and
maintaining the healthy relationship between GSUSA and the 111 council
executive teams. Additionally, she oversaw the Girl Scouts Oversees
division leading the 20+ member team in creating successful business
and marketing strategies that served girls and volunteers in 82
countries. Prior to leading the Council Consulting team, she was key
in launching the Membership and Operations team at GSUSA.
Before joining the team at GSUSA, Wendy’s 16 years at the council
level was primarily as the Chief Operating Officer for Girl Scouts of
Wisconsin-Badgerland. Prior to the national mergers, she served as
Managing Director of Operations at Girl Scouts of Black Hawk Council.
Wendy began her non-profit career in domestic violence support service
and prevention education and holds this critical work close to her
heart. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and writing from
the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and significant course work
from the University of Tennessee. Wendy is an animal lover, avid
reader, and enjoys travel and the outdoors. She and her husband, Mark,
along with their five teenagers, reside in the Jacksonville
area.
Members
Delegates
Delegates and alternate delegates serve as the primary communication link between area Girl Scout members, community networks and Gateway Council's Board of Directors. They also gather opinions about governance matters; elect board members, Board Development Committee members and national council delegates; and approve changes to the council’s bylaws.
Council Election Process
Election Process MY2024 (PDF)
Annual Meeting
Each spring – usually in April – Girl Scouts of Gateway Council holds its Annual Meeting. At the meeting, delegates and council members are invited to listen to a “state-of-the-council” address by our board president and CEO, as well as vote on incoming board members, participate in feedback forums, and more.
National Delegates
National Delegates serve for three years and attend the National Council Session, a meeting of Girl Scouts nationwide, which happens every three years. They attend the session, elect the National Board of Directors and Board Development Committee, approve changes to the Constitution or Bylaws of GSUSA, and vote on various proposals as representatives of Girl Scouting. They also generally participate in discussions in the run-up to the National Council Session in order to better represent the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council. National Delegates for the 2023 National Council Session were elected during the 2022 Annual Meeting and will serve until their successors are elected in 2025.
Resources
Blue
Book of Basic Documents
GSGC
Council Bylaws
Financial Documents
