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 insecurities that can plague girls throughout their lives. She is also dedicated to building collaborations and helping women of all ages to support each other with less judgement of self and others, while expanding perspectives, skills and experience.

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 as a Patriot Missile Officer in the U.S. Army with an RA commission and is a veteran of Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

She transitioned to civilian life as a director at United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, creating awareness about the importance of community problem solving and increasing support with philanthropists and community leaders. Carol then served the John Wayne Cancer Institute as vice president marketing and development. She 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; enhancing the volunteer experience; and developing a culture of philanthropy. She has an MBA, is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management, graduate of Lead San Diego—Influence, San Diego Business Journal SD500 2019 and 2020, Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women Making a Difference, and is currently working on her private pilot’s license.

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.

Michelle Mullen, M.Ed.

Chief Mission Delivery Officer

Michelle oversees the team that ensures that girls and volunteers are inspired by, and engaged with, the Girl Scout mission. The team recruits and engages members and supports troops and service units so all Girl Scouts can develop into strong leaders. It implements local and national programs in STEM, outdoor, entrepreneurship, and life skills, ensuring those programs are relevant and meaningful to girls in K-12.  

As a Girl Scout volunteer for 16 years, Michelle has equipped and empowered girls to take the lead, make decisions, and design their pathways. She also has engaged volunteers to become community leaders, advocates, teachers, and champions.            

Michelle is the former executive VP at AVID Center, a national education nonprofit. She developed and executed program resources, professional learning, and implementation support systems so schools can close opportunity and expectations gaps for students. She also spent 16 years as a passionate educator at CSU San Marcos and several high schools.

Michelle earned a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in education from the University of San Diego. She and her husband, both San Diego natives, raised two daughters who are lifetime Girl Scouts.

Liz Sheahan, BSW, MA

Chief Advancement Officer

Liz oversees all Girl Scouts San Diego’s marketing, communications, and philanthropy initiatives. She and the advancement 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.

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

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. They have two grown sons, both enjoying their lives and careers – the eldest in the Teton Mountains, and the youngest in Spokane, Washington.