GSHPA council wide events

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania chooses new CEO

Harrisburg, PA, March 5, 2009

—Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania has appointed a new President and Chief Executive Officer, according to board chair E. Lee Beard. “After a national search that resulted in an exceptional slate of qualified candidates, the board today ratified the unanimous recommendation of the search committee and appointed Jane Ransom as CEO for the council.”

Jane Ransom is currently executive director of the International Women’s Media Foundation, based in Washington, DC. IWMF’s mission is to strengthen the role of women in the news media worldwide as a means to further freedom of the press.

A long-time advocate for women and girls, Jane Ransom served from 1992-1998 as Executive Director for Central Pennsylvania Legal Services headquartered in Harrisburg and then as president and CEO of the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota – a community foundation that champions economic, political and social equality for women and girls – which she led through a period of major renewal and growth.

 ”Jane Ransom is the right executive at the right time for our organization,” noted Mindy Inners (York, Pa), co-chair of the board’s search committee. Added Laura Muia (Scranton, Pa), also co-chair of the search committee, “We are indeed fortunate to have found a leader of Jane’s quality and experience to be the champion for girls and young women in the Heart of Pennsylvania at such an important time in our Girl Scout Council’s evolution.”

The board was assisted in its efforts by BoardWalk Consulting, an Atlanta-based firm specializing in executive search, board governance and strategic facilitation for nonprofits. Other members of the search committee included Mary Malone (Hazleton, Pa), Karen Shustack (Harrisburg, Pa), Flora Poulos (Leola, Pa), Merry-Grace Majors (Harrisburg, Pa), Tonya Hartman (Orwigsburg, Pa).

In accepting the board’s appointment, Ransom said, “The need for comprehensive leadership development of girls and young women has never been clearer. I feel privileged to have been asked to serve such a wonderful cause and such committed volunteers.”

Ransom will begin her service as CEO on May 1, 2009, based at GSHPA’s Harrisburg headquarters. She and her husband, John Ransom, an associate professor of political science at Dickinson College, will continue to reside in Carlisle.

Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania (“GSHPA”) was formed in May 2007 from the merger of four councils (Penn’s Woods, Scranton-Pocono, Penn Laurel and Hemlock) serving 30 counties in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania . GSHPA presently serves nearly 38,000 Girl Scouts and 14,000 adult volunteers in nearly 3,500 troops.

Said board chair Lee Beard, “Our organization was launched with a renewed commitment to leadership development—helping girls and women discover their full potential, connect with others from diverse backgrounds and experiences, and take action on the important issues affecting their lives and their communities. We are excited that Jane Ransom will apply her record of success in all three areas to the collective benefit of the communities we embrace.”

Jane has served as communications chair for the United Way of York County, Pennsylvania, among other community involvements as a resident of the Commonwealth.

Ransom holds a master’s degree in public administration from the Bernard M. Baruch College of City University of New York and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from Kent State University.

Since July 2008, GSHPA has been capably led by GSUSA Interim CEO Shirley Valentine-Attoh. “We are deeply indebted to Shirley for her stable hand during our transition to permanent leadership,” noted the board in a resolution.For more information contact Chad Smith,

Communications Manager for Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pa 350 Hale Ave, Harrisburg, Pa. 17104

phone 717-233-1656 x 1026

or

csmith@gshpa.org

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