Governance
Governance
Interested in serving on one of our Governance committees or becoming a Board member? Explore the resources below to learn more about our Board, committees, and how you can get involved in shaping the future of Girl Scouts of Gateway Council.
Board Prospectus | Board Application | Board Committees’ Profile | Board Committees’ Application
Meet Our Board
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.
Wendy Dordel
Chief Executive Officer
Wendy Dordel, CEO of the Girl Scouts of Gateway Council, is a visionary leader passionate about advancing the rights and opportunities of women and girls. With over 25 years of executive experience in both the Girl Scout movement and the broader nonprofit sector, she has a proven track record of transformational leadership. Wendy excels at driving strategic growth, building high-performing teams, and fostering organizational cultures grounded in purpose and core values. Recognized for her collaborative leadership style, she is deeply committed to cultivating mission-aligned teams and championing equity across all levels of the organization.
Before joining Gateway Council, Wendy served nationally as Vice President of Council Consulting at Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA). In that role, she strengthened relationships with 111 council executive teams across the country. She also led the Girl Scouts Overseas division, overseeing a team of more than 20 members responsible for global business and marketing strategies supporting girls and volunteers in 82 countries.
Wendy's commitment to the Girl Scout mission began at the local level, where she spent 16 years in council leadership, including a long tenure as Chief Operating Officer of the Girl Scouts of Wisconsin–Badgerland. Her nonprofit career began in domestic violence prevention and education, a mission that continues to shape her leadership philosophy.
A lifelong learner and forever a Volunteer at heart, Wendy began her educational journey at the University of Tennessee before studying English and Writing at the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point. Her curiosity shines through in everything she does from getting lost in a great book to nurturing her growing collection of plants or exploring the outdoors. An avid traveler, she embraces new experiences with enthusiasm. Wendy lives in the Jacksonville area with her husband, Mark, their five lively teenagers, and a few furry friends, making every day an adventure.
Jeanna Mastrodicasa
Vice Chair
Karen Harding
Secretary
Alex Hill
Board Development Committee
Ann King
Constituency Liaison
Emily Anne Schmitt
Treasurer
Candice Hiers
Member-at-Large
Whitney Murray Brown
Member-at-Large
Melissa Orth
Member-at-Large
Kirsten "Kiki" Dunton
Member-at-Large
Milan Thompson
Member-at-Large
Paul Bebee
Member-at-Large
LaTasha Harris
Member-at-Large
Marshelly Stephens
Member-at-Large
LaShanda Heatrice
Member-at-Large
Angel Bradley
Member-at-Large
Sarah Mannion
Member-at-Large
Karen Harris
Member-at-Large
Amanda Hegeman
Member-at-Large
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 2026 National Council Session were elected during the 2025 Annual Meeting and will serve until their successors are elected in 2028.
Board Resources 
Financial Documents
