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Board of Directors 
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania is governed by a board of directors, which provides strategic leadership, advocacy, decision-making, partnerships, and policy development/oversight. It also includes three non-voting girl members, who are part of the Girl Advisory Committee. View the Board of Directors position description.
Interested in joining our Board of Directors (3-year term)?
To apply, please complete the online Board of Directors application or the paper application.
Name (Residency, Term Ending)
Officers
Mary Lou Vargo, Board Chair (Pittsburgh, 2029)
Vaughn Cook, Vice Chair (Pittsburgh, 2027)
Danielle Ramaley, Treasurer (Sarver, 2028)
Coralyn Benhart, Secretary (Pittsburgh, 2028)
Members-at-Large
Jennifer Farrar (Erie, 2027)
Jennifer Fulmer Vinson (Clarion, 2028)
Kathryn Gioia (Bethel Park, 2027)
Deanna Harman (Murrysville, 2027)
Ginger Jakubowski (Johnstown, 2027)
Camille Kovach (Harrison City, 2027)
Julie Kresge (Fairview, 2028)
Lois Kuttesch (Cranberry Township, 2027)
Rachel Lenyk (Renfrew, 2028)
Tabatha Mill (Harmony, 2029)
Donna Oberlander (New Bethlehem, 2028)
Stewart Putnam (Pittsburgh, 2029)
Lori Rankin (Imperial, 2028)
Elizabeth Rhodes (Pittsburgh, 2027)
Sarah Schauble (Pittsburgh, 2029)
Piper Treece-Angert (Gibsonia, 2026)
Board Development Committee
The Board Development Committee is responsible for soliciting and recruiting candidates for the Board of Directors, Girl Advisory Committee, National Delegates, and the Board Development Committee. View the Board Development Committee position description.
Interested in joining our Board Development Committee (3-year term)?
To apply, please complete the online Board Development Committee application or the paper application.
Name (Residency, Term Ending)
Board Development Committee
Denise Cerilli Martz (Greensburg, 2028)
Randie Cosby (Coraopolis, 2028)
Mary Kohler (Wexford, 2028)
Michelle Maccagnan (Allison Park, 2028)
Cindy Pezze (Murrysville, 2027)
Roxanne Plater (Pittsburgh, 2027)
Piper Treece-Angert (Gibsonia, 2028)
Mary Lou Vargo (Pittsburgh, 2029)
Girl Advisory Committee
The Girl Advisory Committee is responsible for bringing a girl-member voice to business meeting topics. These girl members serve on the Board of Directors as non-voting members. They attend quarterly meetings and trainings of the Board of Directors and the Annual Meeting held each spring. View the Girl Advisory Committee Member position description.
Interested in joining our Girl Advisory Committee (2-year term)?
To apply, please complete the online Girl Advisory Committee application or the paper application. Girls members ages 14 and up can apply.
Name (Residency, Term Ending)
Girl Advisory Committee
Madison Hawthorne (Smithfield, 2028)
Halle Myers (Sewickley, 2027)
Rue Watson (Johnstown, 2028)
Council Delegates
Members 14 years and older may serve as council delegates and participate in the council democratic process. Council delegates participate in Town Hall meetings, engage in discussions on major issues, interact with service unit members and gather input that affects policy influencing. Delegates also attend the Annual Meeting to review financial reports, vote on Board of Director candidates, and give broad, general direction to the Board of Directors as it strives to make the most appropriate policy decisions.
Learn more about choosing council delegates including eligibility, qualities, and instructions for choosing your council delegate.
Potential or current council delegates can find background information on the overall roles and responsibilities of council governance and management and a brief explanation of the council policy structure and what role council delegates have in that structure. To help council selegates participate fully in Annual Meeting, view some basic rules of parliamentary procedure.
View the Blue Book of Basic Documents.
View current bylaws (updated 6/6/2024).
For more information about becoming a board delegate, please contact delegateinfo@gswpa.org.
Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania Delegates
SU1601-Wilmington |
Gail Barrett |
SU1601-Wilmington |
Kathy Hoye |
SU1602-Neshannock |
Jennifer Dayton |
SU1603-Scrimshaw |
Jean Briscar-Smith |
SU1603-Scrimshaw |
Alexandra Dietz |
SU1603-Scrimshaw |
Debra Ridgway |
SU1603-Scrimshaw |
Kaitlyn Smith |
SU1605-Laurel |
Kristin Green |
SU1605-Laurel |
Valerie Hauser |
SU1640-989 Freedom |
Melanie Risinger |
SU1640-989 Freedom |
Hailey Stinar |
SU1642-Cascade United |
Hailey Gierlach |
SU1642-Cascade United |
Kimberly Hockman |
SU1642-Cascade United |
Amula Johnson |
SU2606-Norwin |
Madison Budd |
SU2606-Norwin |
Rebekah Franolich |
SU2606-Norwin |
Paula Youngbauer |
SU2611-Bushy Run |
Heather Ambrose |
SU2611-Bushy Run |
Rachel Ambrose |
SU2611-Bushy Run |
Amelia Renwick |
SU2611-Bushy Run |
Melissa Renwick |
SU2612-Franklin Regional |
Aashi Bhatt |
SU2612-Franklin Regional |
Avani Bhatt |
SU2621-Franklin |
Amber Morgan |
SU2623-Keystone ACValley |
Abygail Griebel |
SU2623-Keystone ACValley |
Natasha Griebel |
SU2624-Clarion |
Regina Taylor |
SU2624-Clarion |
Jennifer Vinson |
SU2625-Brookville |
Diana Brush |
SU2625-Brookville |
Rebecca Carrier |
SU2626-Brockway |
Kaitlyn Knox |
SU2626-Brockway |
Patricia Knox |
SU2626-Brockway |
Kassi Tucker |
SU2626-Brockway |
Colleen Tucker |
SU2627-DuBois |
Angela Deemer |
SU2627-DuBois |
Carrie Tobin |
SU2628-Reynoldsville Sykesville |
Chloe Sawyer |
SU2628-Reynoldsville Sykesville |
Beth Sawyer |
SU2629-Punxsutawney |
Kira Elbel |
SU2629-Punxsutawney |
Leslie Geist |
SU2630-Glacier's End |
Rebecca Compton |
SU2630-Glacier's End |
Danielle Henry |
SU2631-Moniteau |
Amanda Potsubay |
SU2632-Petroleum Valley |
Lori Nagle |
SU2632-Petroleum Valley |
Brandy Waldroup |
SU2635-Greater Butler |
Caitlin Jo Painter |
SU2637-Trefoil |
Rebecca Baker |
SU2637-Trefoil |
Anastacia Nelson |
SU2639-Rambling Roads |
Glenda Cook |
SU2643-Valley Hills |
Claramarie Dentu |
SU2643-Valley Hills |
Hosea Nabors |
SU2644-Seneca |
Carrie Harris |
SU2644-Seneca |
Brenda McAllister |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Tatiana Brower |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Sydney Brower |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Abigail Marcotte |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Jamie Marcotte |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Tabatha Mill |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Jennifer Richart |
SU2647-Morning Star |
Alena Richart |
SU2651-Bradford |
Rebecca Papinchak |
SU2655-Kane |
Myrin Mallery |
SU2655-Kane |
Emily Parana |
SU2657-Northern Star |
Savanna Carpenter |
SU2657-Northern Star |
Kate Hildebrandt |
SU2657-Northern Star |
Emily Parana |
SU2659-Johnsonburg Area |
Rachel Kilhoffer |
SU2659-Johnsonburg Area |
Melinda Lewis |
SU2660-Cameron County |
Maria Hayes |
SU2662-St. Marys |
Ellie Babcock |
SU2662-St. Marys |
Denise Cuneo |
SU2662-St. Marys |
Amber Hathorn |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Jennifer Bell |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Ashley Bensur |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Kim Haley |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Chrisy Kline |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Denise Cerilli Martz |
SU2664-Central Westmoreland |
Hannah Whipple |
SU2750-Redbank Valley |
Jodi Renwick |
SU2750-Redbank Valley |
Ashley Welsh |
SU3601-H.I.S |
Heather Karickhoff-Bahm |
SU3601-H.I.S |
Amanda Work |
SU3603-North East |
Lisa Mason |
SU3605-Wattsburg |
Kayla Gabbard |
SU3605-Wattsburg |
Alicia Staaf |
SU3607-Corry Union City |
Donna Faraone |
SU3607-Corry Union City |
Elizabeth Hulings |
SU3613-Greater Erie |
Linda Koket |
SU3613-Greater Erie |
Stephanie Morris |
SU3613-Greater Erie |
Darlene Seath |
SU3613-Greater Erie |
Deborah Wilczynski |
SU3614-Edinboro McKean |
Sharon Evans |
SU3614-Edinboro McKean |
Amanda Zindel |
SU3616-Millcreek |
Cassandra Aho |
SU3616-Millcreek |
Kristen Eliason |
SU3616-Millcreek |
Jennifer Laurin |
SU3616-Millcreek |
Kerry Roward |
SU3619-FLB |
Cathy Wise |
SU3620-Crawford County |
Patricia DeWalt |
SU3620-Crawford county |
Autumn Doughty |
SU3621-Girard Lake City |
Michelle Mong |
SU3621-Girard Lake City |
Jeanette Settelmaier |
SU3622-Fairview |
Melanie D'Silva |
SU3622-Fairview |
Janet Kovacs |
SU3622-Fairview |
Amy Miehl |
SU3623-Albion Springfield |
Faith Giannamore |
SU3623-Albion Springfield |
Tina Giannamore |
SU3628-Kinzua Country |
Abby McMichael |
SU3640-Lakeview |
Glayna Reynolds |
SU3641-Mercer |
Viki Berger |
SU3641-Mercer |
Christine Preston |
SU3642-Grove City |
Rebecca Wille |
SU3644-Reynolds |
Daphne Succheralli |
SU3655-James Green |
Heather Balas |
SU4601-Armagh |
Janet Campbell |
SU4601-Armagh |
Sharon Lowther |
SU4602-Conemaugh Township |
Rebecca Parker |
SU4605-Bedford |
Alexis Diehl |
SU4605-Bedford |
Lauren McVicker |
SU4613-Somerset |
Ricki Rider |
SU4630-Richland Valley |
Cathy Dayton |
SU4630-Richland Valley |
Crystal Nagy |
SU4638-Glendale |
Darla Burket |
SU4638-Glendale |
Brenda Yingling |
SU4640-Blairsville Homer City |
Melissa Fink |
SU4640-Blairsville Homer City |
Jennifer Ponnish |
SU4641-Indiana |
Darlene Brown |
SU4642-Penns Manor |
Kelly Keith |
SU4644-Sleepy Hollow |
Meg Oldman |
SU4644-Sleepy Hollow |
Heather Ramsey |
SU4647-Purchase Line |
Tally McIntosh |
SU4647-Purchase Line |
Casey Osterberg |
SU4651-Westmont Johnstown |
Michele Boback |
SU4651-Westmont Johnstown |
Misty Stephens |
SU4651-Westmont Johnstown |
Elena Tuinstra |
SU4651-Westmont Johnstown |
Roxanne Tuinstra |
SU4656-GHBA |
Lillian Marquez |
SU4674-Forest Hills Portage |
Kara Kobal |
SU4683-Philipsburg |
Dawn Reams |
SU5100-Greater Pittsburgh |
Christy Ehrlich |
SU5100-Greater Pittsburgh |
Dana Schwarz |
SU5104-NA East |
Rachel McLaughlin |
SU5104-NA East |
Lynn Sekeres sosovicka |
SU5104-NA East |
Theresa Smith |
SU5104-NA East |
Devyn Ubinger |
SU5106-Bethel Central |
Kristen Mary |
SU5106-Bethel Central |
Lisa O'Malley |
SU5107-Bethel South |
Michelle Kramer |
SU5107-Bethel South |
Molly McCullough |
SU5202-Ringgold Charleroi |
Amanda Britt |
SU5205-National Trails |
Jamie Pond |
SU5207-Tingoocqua |
Elizabeth Fulton |
SU5207-Tingoocqua |
Katharine Svidro |
SU5208-Firefly |
Lorry Jankowski |
SU5208-Firefly |
Dana Mejia |
SU5301-Laurel Crawford |
Joan Emannuel |
SU5301-Laurel Crawford |
Colleen Peary |
SU5306-National Pike |
Bethany Hughes |
SU5401-North Rolling Hills |
Mary Ann Miller |
SU5401-North Rolling Hills |
Kris Nastal |
SU5401-North Rolling Hills |
Jill White |
SU5404-Shaler |
Judith Becki |
SU5404-Shaler |
Jennifer Heyl |
SU5404-Shaler |
Marjorie Vinski |
SU5408-NA West |
Anna Zahorchak |
SU5502-Pittsburgh East |
Michelle Aippersbach |
SU5502-Pittsburgh East |
Elizabeth Glowczewski |
SU5502-Pittsburgh East |
Natajah Jones |
SU5502-Pittsburgh East |
Linda May |
SU5502-Pittsburgh East |
Curtis Stratman |
SU5507-Penn Wood Hills |
Cheyenne Rhone |
SU5507-Penn-Wood Hills |
Bernadette Buchholz |
SU5602-GlenOaks |
Christina Echement |
SU5602-GlenOaks |
Cindy Muders |
SU5604-West Hills |
Lisa Shaughnessy |
SU5606-West Montour |
Erika Caley |
SU5606-West Montour |
Madeline Caley |
SU5606-West Montour |
Sarah Fowler |
SU5606-West Montour |
Vanessa Fowler |
SU5606-West Montour |
Sarah Shaffer |
SU5701-Upper St. Clair |
Jeanette Benedetto |
SU5701-Upper St. Clair |
Eve Friday |
SU5701-Upper St. Clair |
Beth Meyer |
SU5703-Mt. Lebanon |
Susan Finizio |
SU5703-Mt. Lebanon |
Susan E Gold |
SU5802-Brentwood |
Maryann McSwigan |
SU5802-Brentwood |
Holly Peters |
SU5804-West Jefferson Hills |
Laura Raderman |
SU5807-South Allegheny McKeesport East Allegheny |
Jennifer Castiglia |
SU5807-South Allegheny McKeesport East Allegheny |
Riley Sheposh |
SU5809-Steel Valley Lincoln Place |
Taylor Tate |
SU5902-Deer Lakes Allegheny Valley |
Linda Smith |
SU5904-Gateway |
Elizabeth Kistler |
SU5904-Gateway |
Kathleen Williams |
SU5908-Plum |
Melanie Hansen |
SU5908-Plum |
Shauna Newmaster |
SU5909-Oil Valley Area |
Ashley Eichhorn |
SU5909-Oil Valley Area |
Cammie Stalko |
SU5910-Northern Blair County |
Robin Hall |
SU5910-Northern Blair County |
Camille Krug |
SU5911-Central Cambria County |
Victoria Knobloch |
SU5912-Northern Cambria Area |
Carrie Lute |
SU5912-Northern Cambria Area |
Jodi Nealen |
SU5913-Mon Valley |
Charlene Filsaime |
SU5913-Mon Valley |
Joyce Johnson |
SU5913-Mon Valley |
Sara White |
SU5914-Rivers Edge |
Amanda Bradley |
SU5914-Rivers Edge |
Danielle List |
SU5914-Rivers Edge |
Stacey Scholl |
SU6001-TYP |
Sandra Coffee |
SU6001-TYP |
Erika Ferree |
SU6001-TYP |
Kacie Gongas |
Bylaws
Our bylaws outline the rules of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania, established by the Board of Directors. The bylaws define our organization's purpose, members, board, officers, committees, and meetings.
Changes to the bylaws are proposed and voted upon at the Annual Meeting held in April each year.
View current bylaws (updated 1/14/2025).
Annual Meeting
The 2027 Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday, April 17, at The Atrium in Prospect, PA.
Held each spring, the Annual Meeting is for all Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania members who are ages 14 and older. The objectives of the Annual Meeting include:
- Updates on council business and governance decisions made by the board of directors.
- Voting by delegates on the board of directors and slate.
- Presentation of awards to outstanding Girl Scout volunteers.
Fall Town Hall Meetings
The purpose of the Fall Town Hall Meetings is to provide members (adults and girls 14 years and older) with the opportunity to
- receive updates and provide input into council policy and governance decisions made by the Board of Directors;
- help set and support the strategic goals of the council;
- and provide feedback and participate in discussions and forums necessary to ensure consistent, quality service delivery of the Girl Scout program to members of Girl Scouts Western Pennsylvania.
Representation by members in every service unit encourages informed decision-making and improved two-way communication.
National Convention and National Delegates
Save the Date for the 2026 National Girl Scout Convention
The 2026 National Girl Scout Convention will take place in Washington, DC, from Monday, July 20, through Saturday, July 25. Learn more.
National Delegates
Every three years, Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) holds a National Council Session—also known as NCS at the National Convention. During NCS, elected National Council delegates representing all 111 councils across the nation and USA Girl Scouts Overseas, and the National Board, gather to discuss, debate, and vote on issues important to the Girl Scout Movement as well as elect national leaders for the next triennium.
Throughout their three-year term, delegates gather feedback from their council’s membership, learn about proposals, and act as their council’s voice by serving as voting members on the National Council. Delegates then share insights and report on actions taken by the National Council with their council’s membership at Annual Meetings and other council events. View the National Delegate position description.
Interested in becoming a National Delegate (3-year term)?
To apply, please complete the National Delegate application. All members ages 14 and up can apply.
Girl Scout Western Pennsylvania National Delegates
Adult
Jeannette Benedetto
Denise Cerili Martz
Sharon Enslen
Amy Miehl
Megan Myers
Nicole Scott
Mary Lou Vargo
Adult Alternates
Janet Kovacs
Jaclyn Lockhart
Claudia Reed
Girl
Aashi Bhatt
Nadia Knestrick
Girl Alternate
Sophia Lang
National Council Session Proposal Votes Summary
NCS 2023 Actions Taken Report
During the 2023 Girl Scout Convention, July 18-20, the National Council delegates debated and voted on seven proposals. View a summary of the outcomes of these votes.
In July 2026, Girl Scouts from across the country and around the world will gather for the 58th National Council Session to conduct the important business of our Movement. For more than a century, delegates have come together to use their collective voices—to select leaders, discuss critical issues, and make decisions on topics which will shape the future direction of our Movement.
There have been two discussion topics and three proposals placed on the 58th National Council Session agenda.
- Discussion topics are opportunities for delegates and alternates to influence future National Board or National Council action.
The first discussion topic:
Amplify Impact: Building Connection with Our Communities
This discussion topic will explore what we have learned that families—including families already involved and those yet to join—are seeking from their experience with us and where consistency and flexibility enhance it; discuss how our Girl Scout values underpin that experience and where this may create unintended barriers; and what support our members need to promote and deliver the Girl Scout experience in their communities.
The second discussion topic:
Revolutionize Engagement: Girl Scouts Her Way
This discussion topic will explore the research findings on how current and prospective families want to see our offerings develop, discuss how we can make joining and staying in Girl Scouts easier, collect input to influence national pilot programs, and inform a robust discussion at the National Council Session of how we can revolutionize engagement to ensure a thriving future for our Movement.
- Proposals are opportunities for delegates to deliberate and take immediate action through a vote.
The first proposal:
Girl Scout Highest Awards Solicitation of Contributions
This proposal seeks to amend the first paragraph of the Solicitation of Contributions part of the Policies section of the Blue Book of Basic Documents to allow Girl Scouts working on their projects for Bronze and Silver Awards to solicit donations; currently, only Girl Scouts working on their Gold Award projects may solicit donations.
The National Board remains neutral on this proposal; it may create administrative burdens on the council, as well as create volunteer confusion about when money-earning or fundraising rules apply. However, it would help enhance consistency across all councils and increase equity and accessibility for all Highest Awards project execution.
The second proposal:
Membership Dues and Procedures for Registration
This proposal seeks to amend the Credentials section of the Blue Book of Basic Documents that states the National Board of Directors must obtain approval from the National Council whenever a planned dues increase will result in dues increasing more than a total of 15% in any one triennium (three years).
The National Board does not recommend adoption of this proposal; the National Council already debated and acted on this matter at the 2020 National Council Session, where the 25% dues increase threshold was set.
And the final proposal:
Preservation of Girl Scout Leadership Experience Relating to the Entrepreneurship Program
This proposal seeks to amend the Girl Scout Trademark section of the Blue Book of Basic Documents to no longer allow GSUSA to sell or license anything bearing the Girl Scout name or service mark when related to the flavors, branding, or likeness of Girl Scout Cookies during the designated cookie sales program of any Girl Scout council.
The National Board recommends rejection of this proposal due to multiple reasons, some being that restricting licensing could weaken our Movement’s ability to stop others from profiting off our Girl Scout name, including trademarks. Limiting trademark licensing could create gaps in the marketplace and could cause exploitation of “unclaimed’ product categories. As this proposal is written, it could jeopardize or severely limit GSUSA’s ability to license food and beverage products at any time, and it could also be interpreted to prevent GSUSA from licensing names to our bakers. Overall, this proposal could create immediate contractual exposure, leaving GSUSA at risk.
The group below is attending the national council session as our Adult National Delegates and is available via email at GSWPANationalDelegates@gswpa.org for any discussion or feedback.
Adult
Jeannette Benedetto
Denise Cerili Martz
Sharon Enslen
Janet Kovacs
Jackie Lockhart
Amy Miehl
Claudia Reed
Mary Lou Vargo
Carrie Yopp
Special National Council Session - Membership Dues Proposal
On October 19, 2024, National Council delegates, including 10 from our council, met virtually for the Special 57th Session to discuss and vote on increasing membership dues. Our delegates were well-prepared, having reviewed proposals and learned parliamentary procedures.
During the session, they used our member feedback to engage in informed and respectful debate, ensuring decisions align with the values of the Girl Scout Law and Promise while shaping the future of our movement.
The results:
- The national delegation approved an annual dues increase for girl members to $45 for the membership year beginning Oct. 1, 2025, and $65 for the following membership year beginning Oct. 1, 2026.
- The national delegation approved an annual dues increase for adult members to $30 for the membership year beginning Oct. 1, 2025.
