Girl Scouts of Nassau County

Did you know: less than two percent of annual giving has benefitted girl- and women-focused organizations? That has changed thanks to philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's investment in Girl Scouts. We are incredibly grateful to be the recipient of a record breaking $1.8 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott which will help us not only accelerate our mission, but will help us expand access and engagement of girls and families in Nassau County. This generous gift will significantly advance our ability to provide life-changing experiences, mentorship, and programming to all girls. When you invest in girls you will change the world-- because when one girl succeeds, we all succeed!   Mackenzie Scott – Thank you for investing in girls and Girl Scouts!! 💚 #GiveToWomenandGirls https://nwsdy.li/3yRmuKK

Allison Bishop White, Esq. is Senior Vice President, Head of Early Dispute Resolution at LPL Financial where she leads a team of attorneys who are responsible for the investigation and resolution of matters involving the sale of securities products. Prior to joining LPL Financial, Allison was employed at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she was a Director, and the New York Stock Exchange, (now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority), where she held a number of senior roles. Ms. White is a member of the New York City Bar Association, the Financial Women’s Association, the New York State Medical Review Board, and the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. She also serves on the Public Policy Council of the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Ms. White is a graduate of Northeastern University and has a Juris Doctor (JD) from the Maurice A. Dean School of Law at Hofstra University. Ms. White joined the Board in 2016 and is now serving as a Vice president. Let’s celebrate her hard work and dedication to our council!

Samantha Vitale addressed the issue of burnout among teens and young adults. She was able to spread awareness of burnout by discussing symptoms and prevention methods with students at St. Aidan School and Kellenberg Memorial, and with Girl Scout troops. Samantha led the participants in exercises such as journaling, yoga, and deep breathing. Her project is sustained through her social media page, which advocates for healthy habits. Congratulations on your #GSGoldAward!

Melanie Sinesi is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. She joined the County Executive’s team after four years with United States Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Over the course of almost six years with County Executive Bellone, Melanie continues to work and advocate tirelessly across the aisle with community groups and stakeholders on critical issues and initiatives, and promote and execute large-scale county-wide events. During Melanie’s time at the Senator’s office, Melanie worked both as the Senator’s Long Island liaison and the Deputy Director of Constituent Affairs. Over the years, Melanie acted as a representative for the Senator in the Long Island region and assisted thousands of New Yorkers with their federal casework. Melanie cites aiding hundreds of 9/11 first responders attain crucial benefits for themselves and their families as a critical way in which elected officials can positively advocate for their constituents. Throughout 2020 and 2021 in her role with County Executive Bellone, Melanie worked throughout the pandemic to ensure the community had access to critical information and updates regarding COVID-19 including managing vaccination and testing efforts, as well as ensuring local school nutrition programs remained operational. Melanie credits Girl Scouts as the first institution that taught her how to be a leader. She obtained her Girl Scout Gold Award in 2008, and has continued her Girl Scout career through her roles on the GSNC Board of Directors, GSNC Governance and Board Development Committees, representing GSNC as a National Delegate, and as a past local Association Delegate Chair. Let’s Celebrate her hard work and dedication to our community.

Join us for our inaugural Thin Mint Sprint 5k Run and Family Fun Walk on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at Jones Beach State Park. Families and avid runners of all ages are invited to join us on Girl Scouts Love State Parks Weekend for our first ever Girl Scout Cookie themed fun run and activity fair. All proceeds from this event will benefit Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Family Partnership giving campaign to ensure all girls can participate in Girl Scouting regardless of background or economic status to provide for membership fees, uniform components, books, badges and supplies for girls in need.   Register: https://bit.ly/45MW38h

Sarah addressed fast fashion, the destructive phenomenon of mass-producing clothing to feed the demands of consumerism and the fashion trends that follow it. She educated her community about fast fashion by hosting a clothing swap with her high school’s environmental club. Sarah persuaded the club to pledge to host quarterly swaps. While preparing the first swap event, she helped the environmental club president create an Instagram page, @wtclarkeenvironmentalclub, where Instagram users can find educational materials on how to host their own swaps. Congratulations on your #GSGoldAward, Girl Scout!

Meet our President & Chief Volunteer Officer, Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq. Ms. Elder-Howell currently serves on the board of Girl Scouts of Nassau County as President and Chief Volunteer Officer. She previously served on the executive boards of the New York State Bar Association and the Nassau County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is a graduate of the Energeia Leadership program and a 2019 recipient of the Herald Premier Business Women of Long Island Awards. She has also received awards from The New York State Society of CPAs, Jack and Jill of America and New York State PTA for her dedication to promoting opportunities for youth on Long Island. Ms. Elder-Howell is admitted to the state bars of New York and New Jersey, received her Master of Law in Taxation from New York University School of Law, Juris Doctorate from Rutgers University School of Law, and Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from Queens College. Let’s celebrate all of her hard work and dedication to our council!

To earn her Gold Award, Nicole created and implemented an awareness campaign focusing on the lack of access students in foster homes and homeless shelters have to academic resources for exams such as the ACT and SAT. She ran review-book collections in her school and public library, working alongside her school’s student government to promote the effort. She recorded a podcast, with episodes focused on first-generation students, giving advice on how to fill out a college application, sign up for the SAT, visit colleges virtually, and access the financial aid office. Nicole’s Gold Award project will continue to educate individuals on college preparation and the application process. Great work, Girl Scout! Congratulations on your #GSGoldAward!

Brianna focused on mental health with younger generations post-COVID and developed a dog therapy program as a coping mechanism for daily stressors students may have. She partnered with her principal, PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) classes, and the Mind Over Matter club to offer dog therapy sessions with trained therapy dogs licensed under Therapy Dogs International. Brianna has done extensive research alongside the Sewanhaka School District psychologist, Dr. Oris, and expanded her program into four high schools in her district. Brianna’s project is sustained by the underclassmen who will be continuing her dog therapy program. Thank you for making a difference, Girl Scout! Congratulations on your #GSGoldAward!

Welcome our new board members and board development committee members!