Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey Welcomes Three New Members and Three New Girl Scouts as Girl Representatives to Board of Directors

New members and representatives will enhance board’s focus on creating girl leaders who will make their communities and the world a better place

Riverdale, N.J. – June 27, 2023 – Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey (GSNNJ), the preeminent leadership development organization for girls in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and northern Warren counties, announces the appointment of three new members and three new Girl Scouts as Girl Representatives to the Board of Directors effective May 10, 2023. Each of the newly appointed GSNNJ Board Members-At-Large have signed on for a three-year term and each of the Girl Representatives will serve a one-year term.

The newly appointed Board members include:

Danielle Furze, Executive Director, Branch Manager, at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management

Pia House Walker, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Diversity Officer at St. Joseph Health

Julia Helliesen, Associate within BD’s Technology and Global Services Division and former Girl Representative to the GSNNJ Board of Directors

Comprised of inspiring business leaders from diverse backgrounds and industries, the GSNNJ Board of Directors helps to set the strategic vision for the organization as it works to carry out its mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. The three newly inducted Board Members-At-Large will take on a number of key responsibilities in support of this mission alongside fellow members including establishing organizational identity and direction, ensuring necessary resources, providing oversight, and participating in and reviewing board operations.

GSNNJ has also appointed three new Girl Scouts as Girl Representatives to the Board including Erica Adu of Succasunna, Lorayne Gulbrandsen of Sparta, and Nicole Pelish of Wayne. Girl Representatives provide a voice for their fellow Girl Scouts, representing their peers and advocating for girl leadership. In accordance with the council bylaws, Girl Representatives are elected to serve as representatives without the right to vote or make motions at Board meetings, but their participation is greatly respected, valued, and appreciated. Each representative is recommended by the Board Development Committee.

“Executing the vision of Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey requires a group of deeply committed individuals coming together to make it a reality,” said Sandra A. Kenoff, President / CEO, GSNNJ. “The addition of our newest members is emblematic of our continued efforts to invest in our girls and support their ability to make positive change regardless of their backgrounds, locations or financial situations. I’m grateful to our current and new board members for investing their time and talent to transform the lives of girls.”

The GSNNJ Board of Directors also plays an important role in expanding the impact and reach of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, supporting the organization’s efforts to create more equitable membership opportunities, enhancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Racial Justice initiatives, reimagining the troop experience model to break down accessibility barriers, and partnering with communities and family members to holistically support the wellbeing and development of all girls.

Bette M. Simmons, Ed.D., Board Chair of GSNNJ added, “On behalf of the board I want to welcome and thank each of our new Members-At-Large who each bring diverse skill sets and backgrounds to their roles which will undoubtedly help us further our shared goal of building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.”

Additionally, three current board members were promoted to new roles within the board. Leslie Franklin became Treasurer, Matthew Lamb became Second Vice Chair and Lynelle Slivinski was added to the Board Development Committee.

To learn more about the Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey Board of Directors, visit https://www.gsnnj.org/en/about-girl-scouts/our-council/board-of-directors.html.

About Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey

Girl Scouts bring their dreams to life and work together to build a better world. Through programs from coast to coast, Girl Scouts of all backgrounds and abilities can be unapologetically themselves as they discover their strengths and rise to meet new challenges—whether they want to climb to the top of a tree or the top of their class, lace up their boots for a hike or advocate for climate justice, or make their first best friends. Backed by trusted adult volunteers, mentors, and millions of alums, Girl Scouts lead the way as they find their voices and make changes that affect the issues most important to them.

Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey serves girls ages 5-18 in Bergen, Morris, Passaic, Sussex, and northern Warren counties, bringing the Girl Scout Leadership Experience to more 18,000 girls and more than 10,000 adult members. Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for every girl and her family.

To learn more about Girl Scouts of Northern New Jersey or to volunteer, reconnect, donate, or join, visit www.gsnnj.org and stay connected by following GSNNJ on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.