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Board of Directors
The Girl Scouts San Diego Board of Directors is a diverse, volunteer group of community leaders and professionals who ensure that the Girl Scout mission is carried out in San Diego and Imperial counties. Board members are selected for their commitment to improving the lives of girls as well as their leadership, volunteer and nonprofit experience, ability to make financial contributions to Girl Scouts, professional and educational background, and knowledge of the community. They are chosen by the board development committee and elected by the voting members of the council. Board members can serve up to two three-year terms.
The role of the board of directors is one of governance. Their responsibilities include strategic planning, fund development, appointment of the chief executive officer, financial oversight, and interaction with the community. Questions, comments, or referrals for board of directors or board development committee can be directed to the Office of the Chief Executive Officer.
2025–2026 Board of Directors
Elected Officers
Emily Rex
Board Chair
Principal, CEO, Departure
Emily Rex is an accomplished entrepreneur, branding expert, and community leader dedicated to empowering girls and women. As co-founder and CEO of Departure, a San Diego-based branding, marketing, and web development firm, Emily leads with vision, creativity, and strategic insight. Her firm partners with renowned brands including Illumina, California Pizza Kitchen, USS Midway, Qualcomm, ResMed, and Becton Dickinson - demonstrating her deep commitment to excellence and innovation.
At Departure, Emily oversees all aspects of the business, from strategy and operations to client relationships. Her leadership style is grounded in trust and a drive to help others succeed. A graduate of Baylor University, where she studied Marketing and Management and ran Division I track, Emily pairs business acumen with grit and determination.
Beyond the boardroom, Emily is a dedicated community leader. She is an active and respected voice on several nonprofit boards, where she is known for her strategic insight, hands-on involvement, and ability to mobilize others. Her commitment to service is deeply personal - and deeply inspiring. Beyond her service on the Girl Scouts San Diego board, she also holds volunteer roles within the San Diego Police Foundation, San Diego Humane Society, Rotary Club 33, American Association of Advertising Agencies, and Grossmont Hospital Foundation.
As Board Chair of Girl Scouts San Diego, Emily brings boundless energy, purpose-driven leadership, and a deep belief in the power of girls. A former Girl Scout herself, Emily knows firsthand the transformative power of the program. She is proud to lead with heart, helping today’s girls become tomorrow’s bold, confident leaders.
Directors-at-Large
Board Committees
Audit Committee
The audit committee has been established by the board of directors to assist the board in fulfilling the fiduciary responsibilities of Girl Scouts San Diego. The audit committee oversees proper external review of the organization’s audited financial statements and audit risk management to include monitoring the internal control environment. Each member shall be free of any relationship that, in the opinion of the board, would interfere with her or his individual exercise of independent judgment.
- Carisa Wisniewski, Chair
- Shibani Dogra
- Sarah Eberhardt
- Stephanie Isaacson
- Valerie Mattas
- Lee Parravano
- Tiah Reppas
Board Development Committee
Established by the board of directors, the board development committee recruits and retains board members in accordance with the mission and strategic direction of Girl Scouts San Diego. Committee members have significant, diverse ties with the community. They identify, vet, and recommend candidates for the board and board committees, partner with the board chair and CEO for board orientation and onboarding, and assist the board in assessing and evaluating its strength, diversity, and performance.
- Monica Ulibarri, Ph.D., Chair
- Jeanette Day
- Helen Finneran
- Tina King, Ed.D.
- Hon. Sherry M. Thompson-Taylor
- Maggie Watkins
Executive Committee
The executive committee has been established by the board of directors to act on behalf of the board in the interim between regularly scheduled meetings and in urgent situations where an assembly of a quorum of the board would be impracticable or impossible.
- Emily Rex, Chair
- Michele Barrow
- Neville Billimoria
- Debbie Feinberg
- Monica Ulibarri, Ph.D.
- Dawn Welch
Finance Committee
The finance committee has been established by the board of directors to assist in fulfilling the fiduciary responsibilities of Girl Scouts San Diego, including monitoring resource allocation, reviewing annual operating and capital budgets, providing fiduciary stewardship orientation, ensuring the preparation and review of timely and accurate financial statements including IRS Form 990, and provididing guidance regarding acquisition, disposition, development, utilization, management, and maintenance of assets and properties.
- Michele Barrow, Chair
- Andy Gallagher
- Michael Head
- Summer Lee
- Katie Lehman, CPA
- Andy Maffia
- Helen Woodall
Investment Committee
The investment committee has been established by the board of directors to oversee Girl Scouts San Diego’s investments and strategies, review the performance of the investment advisor, and develop and update short- and long-term investment policies and objectives. Committee members understand state laws and regulations; they also have specialized knowledge, training, and experience to determine how the economic climate impacts the fiscal needs of Girl Scouts San Diego and to ensure the organization’s investment policies comply with the law.
- Lisa Marie Harris, Chair
- Kunal Ghosh
- Shelly Henbest
- Chris Herrera
- Brady Jewett
- Rachel Mavrothalasitis
- Colleen Smiley
- Larry Witt
Philanthropy Committee
The philanthropy committee—established by the board of directors—ensures the advancement and future financial security of Girl Scouts San Diego. Members establish fundraising plans, cases for support, and goals. This committee provides fundraising leadership to assist staff in cultivating and stewarding donors, playing a significant role in identifying and introducing funders to the organization and inspiring the board of directors to join fundraising efforts.
- Debbie Feinberg, Chair
- Kelly Cannan
- Joann Coffey
- Natasha Collura
- Liza Crisafi
- Geetha Manchala
- Nicole McGuire
- Mimi Murray
- Emily Rex
- Nikki Rivers
- Denise Scott
- Noli Zosa
Property and Gathering Spaces Committee
The property and gathering spaces committee has been established by the board of directors to set strategic direction for the Girl Scouts San Diego’s properties and spaces. Committee members have skills and experience in the areas of finance, legal, real estate development, master planning, and project management, as well as ties to local resources to help navigate complex property opportunities.
- Dawn Welch, Chair
- Deborah Elliott
- Caroline Perry
- David Rex
- Jennifer Summers
Board committee charters are available upon request. For more information, contact customercare@sdgirlscouts.org.
Bylaws
Governance structures are part of every Girl Scout Council and are defined in the council bylaws.
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