- By Judith E. Gallagher
- Around Town
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Ms. Hyland brings to NYPENN Pathways over 30 years in Girl Scouting as:
- Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer of the Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands, Inc. in South Carolina
- CEO of the Girl Scout Council of the Congaree Area, Inc. in South Carolina
- xecutive Director of USA Girl Scouts Overseas for the West Pacific in Japan
- Director of Program: Training and Field Services, Assistant Executive Director, and then Executive Director of the Mohawk Pathways Girl Scout Council, Inc. in Schenectady, New York
Ms. Hyland served on several Girl Scouts of the USA committees that evolved from the organization's new core business strategy - one focusing on volunteers; one on the new leadership program; and one involving program outcomes. She also served as a facilitator for the rollout of the Girl Scouts' new leadership model. Ms. Hyland has prior experience with alignment in Virginia (during the 1980's) and recently with the merger of two councils in South Carolina.
With a B.S. in recreation and M.S. in adult education, Ms. Hyland has continued her professional development and is certified as a Girl Scout Executive Director. She has completed the Development Leadership Program at The Wharton School and a corporate management course at the Harvard Business School. She is a graduate of the 2001 class of Leadership South Carolina and has served as co-chair of Women in Philanthropy and co-chair of the Professional Development Committee of the Association of Girl Scout Executive Staff. She has been cited as a role model for integrity and as a strong, inclusive, empowering leader for Board, staff, and volunteers.
"My vision is that NYPENN Pathways become the organization of choice for girls, volunteers, donors, community partners, and staff," Hyland said. "I am passionate about the mission of Girl Scouting and I look forward to leading an organization for girls with volunteers, staff and community partners who are committed to developing the premier leadership development program for girls in our region."
Judy Prosser, Chair of the CEO Search Committee, thanked the community volunteers who participated in the CEO search process. The committee, consisting of eight volunteers representing each existing council, conducted a national search for the new executive. "We were faced with the fortunate situation of having a slate of very highly qualified candidates from which to choose," said Prosser. "Ms. Hyland emerged from this exceptional group as the candidate with the right blend of experience, skills and vision to lead Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways in these exciting times."
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways will be one council, with one leadership program for girls, delivered through a united team of staff and adult volunteers throughout the existing geographical jurisdiction. Each existing council's elected delegates will elect a new board of directors and new bylaws and governance structure in March 2009.
Over 22,000 Girl Scouts and 7,800 adult volunteers in neighborhoods across the middle portion of New York and Pennsylvania will be represented in the new council. Girl Scouting will be available to all girls in the counties of Allegany, Broome, Cayuga, Chemung, Chenago, Cortland, Delaware, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Oswego, Otsego, Madison, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence, Tioga, Tompkins, Wayne and Yates; and Tioga and Bradford in Pennsylvania.
"The potential to provide greater access to and resources for more girls to experience Girl Scouting in this region is one reason for the historic transformation," stated Ms. Hyland. Also anticipated are enhancements for adult volunteer opportunities and training, a contemporary and consistent brand, streamlined organizational and democratic governance, and a focus on increasing contributed income to fund quality leadership experiences for girls.
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