Leadership

Carol M. Dedrich, MBA, CFRE
Chief Executive Officer

Carol Dedrich attributes the lessons she learned as a young Girl Scout with preparing her for leadership roles in school, the military and throughout her career.

Carol joined Girl Scouts San Diego in October 2016. As CEO, her priorities include serving a geographically and economically diverse girl and volunteer base, leveraging community partnerships to better reach underserved communities, enriching the volunteer experience, enhancing the middle and high school Girl Scout experience, and building lasting relationships with donors, in order to serve more girls and continue to provide relevant, critical programs.

She is committed to helping girls develop their courage, confidence, and character in order to overcome their insecurities and fears that can plague girls throughout their lives. She is also dedicated to building collaborations and helping women to support each other with less judgement of self and others.

Carol has over 20 years of experience at the executive level in all three economic sectors: government/military, corporate and nonprofit. She began her career out of college as a Distinguished Military Graduate with a Regular Army (RA) commission and served as an Air Defense Artillery Patriot Missile Officer in the U.S. Army. She is airborne qualified and a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Carol achieved the rank of Captain and upon transitioning to civilian life began serving in a different capacity, one focused on community building.

She began her new career as director at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, creating awareness about the importance of community problem solving while increasing support from $600K to $2.1M with philanthropists and community leaders. Carol later became vice president at the Fulfillment Fund, an inner city nonprofit that helps provide access to higher education for students who are economically disadvantaged. She led efforts to grow revenue, expand resources and leverage community partnerships in order to enhance services and increase high school graduation rates.

Carol then spent seven years as chief external relations officer for Girl Scouts Greater Los Angeles (GSGLA). She helped merge seven councils to form GSGLA by building infrastructure; strengthening marketing, communications and staff development; broadening membership while enhancing the volunteer experience and developing a culture of philanthropy.

She has been a Big Sis for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a mentor for STEP UP, and on the Advisory Board for City Scholars Foundation: a nonprofit that supports, mentors, and educates CEO’s of small nonprofits. She has a Bachelor of Art from Michigan State University and a MBA from the University of Arizona, holds the credential Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) is a graduate of LEAD San Diego—Influence, selected Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women Making a Difference, and held the record for most sit-ups at two Army posts.

Carol grew up outside of Detroit, MI and since then has lived in six states, as well as, Germany and Turkey. She married later in life to Alex, her beloved husband. Their interests include traveling, scuba diving, entertaining, and wine. Together they have completely renovated three homes within six years learning various new skills like tiling, plumbing, drywall, and landscaping. Both share a love of aviation, and Carol is currently working on her private pilot’s license.

Lani Longacre, MBA

Chief Mission Delivery Officer

Lani oversees program, membership, product program, retail, and marketing communications, and helps shape strategic direction and implement local and national initiatives.

As director of retail and product program, Lani led the Girl Scout Cookie Program, fall product program and retail operations. She was also interim director for outdoor program and adult learning.

To improve business processes for staff and volunteers, she adopted and implemented innovative technology. She was also project manager for the council’s 2017-2019 strategic alignment plan.

During the decade she played a leadership role in the cookie program—America’s leading entrepreneurial and financial literacy program for girls—Lani improved the girl and volunteer experience and increased gross sales by more than fifty percent.

In addition to serving on GSUSA’s National Product Sales Advisory Board and CEO Cookie Steering Committee, she organized regional conferences and participated in national forums about cookies.

Lani has an Executive MBA and a B.A. in communication from San Diego State University. In 2013, the San Diego Business Journal included her as an “Emerging Generation: 25 in their 20s” honoree. She formerly worked in marketing, sales, and communications.

Stacy L. Maxa, CPA

Chief Financial and Administrative Officer

Stacy is a Certified Public Accountant who earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration-accounting from Sonoma State University.

Her areas of responsibility include finance, risk management, human resources, information technology, and properties. She works closely with board members and the senior management team to develop and implement financial and operational strategies, policies, and procedures that support the council’s mission, strategic plans, and objectives.

For more than 20 years, Stacy held financial leadership roles for other nonprofit organizations with annual budgets that ranged from $6-$80 million. She helped contribute to their missions by improving financial outcomes. In addition, she established efficient financial reporting and controls, focused on cost analysis, and bridged the gap between the organizations’ strategic goals and adherence to changing regulatory environments. She also furthered the organizations’ success by developing collaborative relationships with bankers, vendors, and community members.

Stacy is a native of San Diego and a military spouse of 25 years. She and her husband, Bill, share their home with three rescue dogs. They enjoy traveling, hiking, and fitness.

Liz Sheahan, BSW, MA

Chief Philanthropy Officer

Liz oversees all of Girl Scouts San Diego’s fund development initiatives, including corporate, foundation, government, and individual partnerships. She and the fund development team work hard to inspire members of our community to get involved in the important Girl Scout Movement.

Her entire career has been in service to others, and has always included programs that empower young people. She has worked in development for more than 20 years, helping organizations grow their impact through community support. Most recently, she was vice president of development for the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.

A graduate of the LEAD San Diego Impact program, Liz is very active throughout the community. She is currently on the board of directors for the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce and co-chairs the Programs Committee for the North County Philanthropy Council.

She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Augsburg College and a master’s degree in philanthropy and development from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.

Liz and her husband, Phil, live in the hills north of Escondido. Their two grown sons are both enjoying their lives and careers in the Teton Mountains.