Governance
Governance
Interested in serving on one of our Governance committees or becoming a Board member? We would love to hear your interests. Just complete the Board Member Application!
Board Chair 
Lauren Todd
Board Chair
Lauren brings extensive experience to this role, holding an M.B.A. from the University of Utah and building a strong background in healthcare. Since 2005, she has specialized in Organizational Management, Analytics, and Systems Engineering as the AVP of Labor Management and Operations Analytics at Parallon, HCA Healthcare.
Lauren demonstrates unwavering dedication to Girl Scouts. In 2021, she became a lifetime member, earned both the Silver and Gold Awards, and embraced various leadership roles. She served on the Utah council as a Fund Development Committee member, Board Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair, and Vice Chair. In 2024, the council elected her as Chair Elect.
Based in Jacksonville, Lauren actively participates in her daughter’s Daisy troop as a chaperone. We are excited to work with her and continue making a difference for girls in our community.
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
GSGC Governance and Policy Appendix
Summary of Roberts Rules of Order
Financial Documents
