HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) recently welcomed eight new and re-elected members to its board of directors, swearing them in during its annual meeting and volunteer recognition event. GSCWM’s board of directors now stands at 21 board members total, 19 adults and two girl members.

“Seeing so many accomplished individuals volunteer their time and resources each year is a powerful reminder of our shared obligation to empower girls, equip them with leadership skills, promote civic engagement, and inspire them to make a difference through service and action,” said Theresa Lynn, CEO of GSCWM. “Their expertise, passion, and commitment to youth development will be vital as we continue to grow and expand opportunities for girls throughout our region.”

The eight include Erika Dulmaine, Neliana Ferraro de Mitchell, Sara Flynn, Jennifer Hubert, Abigail Abena Mensah (Orleans Thompson), Jennifer Merton, Katie Rozenas-Hanson, and Prisha Konduru (girl member).

A diverse group of community leaders and professionals, GSCWM’s board members are chosen to oversee the organization’s strategic planning, fund development, appointment of the CEO, finances, and interaction with a community that includes 6,000 girls across 186 cities and towns in Western and Central Massachusetts.

“This is an exciting time for our council as we welcome new perspectives and renewed energy to the board,” said Nicole Messier, GSCWM president and board chair. “The leadership, experience, and diverse perspectives of our new and returning board members will directly support our mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character. Their commitment ensures we can continue to create safe, empowering spaces for thousands of girls in Central and Western Massachusetts.”

HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced the continued investment by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation through a $15,000 grant in support of It’s A Girls World, one of the community-based programs Girl Scouts offers.

The afterschool program engages Hampden County girls in grades K-6 in STEM, financial literacy, and health and personal wellness topics.

“We are extraordinarily grateful to be recognized by the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation as an organization seeking to improve the quality of lives of girls in our community,” said Theresa Lynn, GSCWM’s CEO. “Introducing middle-school girls to STEM careers they might not have known existed or showing them what a budget looks like, helping elementary-school kids craft prototypes for inventions, or simply introducing them to the joy of discovering new things, hinting at where their strengths and skills lie, enable members to realize their own potential and gain critical skills they will carry throughout their lives. It is made possible by this generous support.”

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities for girls to develop a strong sense of self, display positive values, seek challenges, learn from setbacks, form and maintain healthy relationships, and learn to identify and solve problems in their community. The generous support of contributors such as the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation — which supports a variety of nonprofit organizations seeking to improve the quality of lives for those living in Hampden County — makes this possible.

HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) elected nine new members, including one girl member, to its board of directors at its annual meeting on June 23. New board members and officers, elected to serve a two-year term, are:

• Elizabette Batista, superintendent of Public Works for the city of Chicopee and a Massachusetts-registered professional civil engineer;

• Jennifer Cluett, associate vice-president for Enrollment Management and dean of Admissions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where she is responsible for the recruitment and enrollment of new undergraduate students;

• Meagen Donoghue, executive director at the Fitchburg Redevelopment Authority, where she works across public, private, and corporate sectors to improve conditions within the community;

• Jessi Kirley, founder of JKirley Collective and a leadership coach, culture strategist, Everything DiSC authorized partner and trained emotional intelligence and mental fitness coach;

• Cortney Lima, associate director of Admission and DEI coordinator at College of the Holy Cross, where she is responsible for initiatives and programming that support marginalized populations through the college admissions process;

• Kimberly McCullen, Workforce Development specialist at College of the Holy Cross, where she provides organizational development support to meet the college’s needs with a specific focus on DEI;

• Christopher Schwantner, chief engineer of Television for New England Public Media (WGBY-TV) in Springfield;

• Stefanie Silva, director of Programs and Events for the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce; and

• Finn Albiston, a Girl Scout Senior who began Girl Scouts as a Daisy. They enjoy working with younger Girl Scouts and helping with younger troops assisting leaders with events in their community. Albiston is also a member of GSCWM’s girl advisory board and a member of their communities’ older girl council.

GSCWM board officers include Nicole Messier (president and board chair), program manager at Raytheon Technologies; Christine Cassidy (first vice president), senior vice president and chief Communications officer at Fallon Health; Roberta McCulloch-Dews (second vice president), vice president of Marketing at Greylock Federal Credit Union; Sheryl Zarozny (secretary), vice president and advisory client partner at Optum; and Ryan Matson (treasurer), insurance producer at Braley & Wellington Insurance Group.

“With such a wide array of perspectives and knowledge, our board is better equipped to support and empower young girls in our community, nurturing the strong female leaders of our future,” said Nicole Messier, GSCWM president and board chair. “It’s a privilege to be part of a board that values diversity and dedication. The unique insights and expertise of each member are key to our mission of advancing Girl Scouts and supporting the development of all the girls and families we serve.”

HOLYOKE, WORCESTER — Following an extensive and thorough search process, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts announced the appointment of Theresa Lynn as its new CEO.

Lynn brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, having most recently served as senior vice president of the United Way of Central Massachusetts, where she focused on fundraising, communications, and some large grant-making opportunities. Her dedication to community engagement is evident through her roles as executive director for Back on My Feet, addressing homelessness and job insecurity in Boston, and executive director for ReadBoston for 14 years. She currently serves as a board member for the Worcester Education Collaborative and BioBuilder Education Foundation.

“I’ve long been a fan of Girl Scouts’ legacy experiences — from outdoor adventure to the iconic cookie program — and an admirer of the cutting-edge STEM initiatives that create one-of-a-kind experiences,” Lynn said. “I’m thrilled for the opportunity to join Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts and work alongside the staff, adult volunteers, and community supporters who are deeply committed to serving today’s members in exciting, future-focused ways, because the need for female leadership has never been greater.”

Lynn holds a master of public administration degree from the Harvard Kennedy School, an MBA from Boston University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the College of Holy Cross. Her contributions in the community have been recognized by the Boston Celtics, who presented her with a Heroes Among Us award, and by the Boston Business Journal, which acknowledged her as a Top 40 Under 40 leader in Boston.

“We are so proud to welcome Theresa to the Girl Scouts family,” said Nicole Messier, GSCWM board chair. “Her proven leadership, innovative vision, and unwavering commitment to empowering young people align seamlessly with the values that define our organization. We are confident that, under her guidance, GSCWM will continue to thrive and inspire the next generation of leaders.

“We’re thankful to the search committee for their diligence in selecting a leader who shares our commitment to fostering a supportive and empowering environment for the members we serve,” Messier continued. “We look forward to the positive impact Theresa will undoubtedly make as she leads us in fulfilling our mission of developing girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.”

HOLYOKE — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced that the nonprofit organization’s long-time CEO, Pattie Hallberg, is stepping down at the end of 2023, after 16 years of service to GSCWM.

“Pattie’s legacy at Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Nicole Messier, GSCWM board president. “Her leadership has been instrumental in shaping the organization into what it is today. We are profoundly grateful for her unwavering dedication, expertise, and vision, which have empowered countless girls and women to embrace their potential. As we embark on this transition, we remain steadfast to upholding the values and mission that Pattie has championed throughout her tenure. The GSCWM board is committed to finding a worthy successor who will carry on Pattie’s legacy and uphold our mission to nurture the future female leaders of tomorrow.”

The GSCWM board will oversee the process to choose Hallberg’s successor, and has engaged the search firm Find Good People to assist with the transition.

“It has been my honor and a sincere privilege to lead Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to the development of a girl’s personal leadership journey,” said Hallberg, who was named by BusinessWest to its Women of Impact class of 2020.

“I am proud of the organization we are today and the impact we’ve made, working with thousands of fabulous girls and adults to further the Girl Scout mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place,” she added. “Our sustainability through a global pandemic and our current growth both in membership and revenue represent the collective effort of an incredibly talented staff, a dedicated board of directors, generous funding partners, and an innovative and dedicated membership. I couldn’t be more excited about what’s next for this important organization.”

EAST LONGMEADOW — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced it received a $10,000 grant from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation in support of It’s a Girls World, one of the community-based programs it offers.

The afterschool program engages Hampden County girls in grades K-6 in STEM, financial literacy, and health and personal-wellness topics.

“We are so very grateful to the Davis Foundation for helping to provide girls with the opportunity to foster a sense of belonging and explore their true potential and leadership abilities through It’s A Girls World,” said Pattie Hallberg, CEO of GSCWM. “Through the program, participants are creating new friendships, embracing healthy risks, and exploring opportunities through the Girl Scout experience.”

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities for girls to develop a strong sense of self, display positive values, seek challenges, learn from setbacks, form and maintain healthy relationships, and learn to identify and solve problems in their community. The support of contributors such as the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation makes this possible.

The Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation supports a variety of nonprofit organizations seeking to improve quality of life for those living in Hampden County.

HOLYOKE — The MDRT Foundation has awarded a $2,000 grant to Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) in support of the Girl Scout Leadership Experience and further its mission to build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

The Million Dollar Round Table Foundation gives to charitable organizations worldwide, demonstrating the generosity, service, and impact of MDRT members. This year, the MDRT Foundation will award more than $1.6 million in MDRT member-endorsed grants to more than 300 charitable organizations worldwide.

Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts was nominated for the MDRT grant by Amy Jamrog, CEO of the Jamrog Group and GSCWM board member.

“I absolutely love the Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts,” Jamrog said. “I enjoy watching my 9-year-old niece earn her badges and grow in her confidence with my sister as her troop leader. I can see the impact GSCWM has had on my own family, not to mention the perspective I have regionally as a board member.”

The Girl Scout Leadership Experience is a collection of engaging, challenging, and fun activities for girls to develop a strong sense of self, display positive values, seek challenges, learn from setbacks, form and maintain healthy relationships, and learn to identify and solve problems in their community.

“The grant funds go toward helping girls find out who they are, what they care about, and where their talents lie,” Jamrog said.

BOSTON — Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) announced that it received a $25,000 Catalyst Grant from the Women’s Foundation of Boston. The grant will fund new donor technology software.

GSCWM is one of 11 nonprofits that exclusively serves women and girls awarded the supplemental Catalyst Grant. According to Christina Gordon, co-founder and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Boston, “this supplemental alternative grant offering allows us to deepen our impact and support a greater number of effective women- and girl-serving nonprofits. As with our annual multi-year grants, the rigorous process for choosing recipients of our Catalyst Grants is based on mission alignment and proven outcomes.”

The grant will fund new technology software to improve fundraising efficiency, donor engagement, and volunteer awareness. “This funding will allow us to upgrade our communication with our amazing donors, and we are incredibly grateful to the Women’s Foundation of Boston” said Pattie Hallberg, GSCWM CEO.

WORCESTER — Due to concerns over increasing coronavirus cases and in consideration of the health and safety of guests and staff members, Girl Scouts of Central and Western Massachusetts (GSCWM) has postponed the inaugural Green Is the New Black gala to a new date of June 10, 2022.

The Green Is the New Black silent auction will go ahead virtually for one week beginning on Sept. 10 and conclude Sept. 17. “We have too many fabulous prizes from so many generous donors to forgo the silent auction, so we’ve moved it online for a week,” said Pattie Hallberg, CEO of GSCWM.

Utilizing the ReadySetAuction platform, participants can view and bid on a plethora of exciting items and packages, all from their home computer or handheld device.

The silent auction features dozens of items, including VIP tickets to the Jonas Brothers with Kelsea Ballerini at Xfinity Theatre, a one-night stay at the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, tickets to see James Taylor or Ringo Starr at Tanglewood, MASS MoCA visitor passes, tickets to Langston Hughes’ Black Nativity, tickets to A Christmas Celtic Sojourn, Boston Harbor cruises, spa packages, couples massages, and a year’s supply of Girl Scout Cookies, including a case of the new Adventurefuls Girl Scout Cookie.

View these and more auction items and register to bid at events.readysetauction.com/girlscoutscentralwesternmassachu/gitnb. All proceeds benefit Girl Scouts and their continuing efforts to provide innovative programs and vital support to girls in grades K-12 throughout Central and Western Mass.

For more information about the auction, event, or sponsor opportunities, contact Jamie Mahon at [email protected] or (413) 584-2602, ext. 4037.