By the Fund Development Team

We’re excited to welcome to our Girl Scout family Margaret Hartzell and Shinica Thomas, who will be serving as Individual Giving Directors on the Fund Development Team. Since highlighting diversification of funding in our Strategic Learning process, we have seen growth in the fund development arena. We are eager to welcome these two new staff to continue to help donors feel the impact of their investment in girls.

Margaret Hartzell comes to us from the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities in Raleigh where she helped execute the Center’s signature fundraising event A Toast to the Triangle. Prior to that, she spent six years as a policy advocate for Environment North Carolina, a statewide environmental advocacy organization where she executed the organization’s legislative advocacy in the North Carolina General Assembly and U.S. Congress. Margaret was not a Girl Scout – it’s never too late – but she believes passionately in building girls into confident women of character who will make the world a better place.

Shinica Thomas was a Girl Scout as a girl, and when her military family finally settled in the Fayetteville area, she attended Fayetteville University for her BA in political science and Regent University for a master’s in government. She has a strong background in the corporate and political sector, serving as Executive Director at IMI Association Management, as Human Resources Program Specialist for Wake Tech, and in executive support roles for North Carolina Community College System and on many statewide political campaigns. Shinica has a passion for nonprofit work, and she’s excited to bring this passion to her  work with Girl Scouts.

Margaret and Shinica joined us for their first day at our Annual Meeting on March 12, and we asked them to share their reaction to their first day.

What was it like for your first day to be an event with 300 strangers?

Shinica: It was amazing! While I certainly won’t remember the name of everyone that I met, I will always have the memory of my first day being the Birthday of Girl Scouts and the celebration to go along with it.

 

What was the highlight of the day for you?

Margaret: I loved hearing our keynote speaker, Hannah Ubl. She spoke about how different generations relate to one another, and I can’t think of a better place for her to bring that message. I saw Daisies alongside women being awarded for the 55 year commitment to the Girls Scouts-all in the same room.

  

Was there something that piqued your interest that you can’t wait to learn more about?

Shinica: For me, it was the personal stories that I heard all day about Girl Scout Camp. I can’t wait to get OUTDOORS! Do we have camp sessions for ME?!

 

Did you have a grand take-away?

Margaret: I was struck by one quote-“You can always do something for one more girl.” I am looking forward to being a part of a mission that inspires one more girl. Then another! And another after that!

 

Shinica, how about you – any big take-aways?

Shinica: I have been talking to anyone that will listen about the stories shared by Girl Scouts during the meeting! I was super impressed, and I loved hearing about and seeing the fruits of their Girl Scout experience. Although I was a Daisy and a Brownie, I still can’t even comprehend the depth and breadth of it all! There are so many things to see, share, and be a part of and I’m just ready to be an impactful part of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

 

Please feel free to reach out to Margaret and Shinica to say “Hi!” or if you ever have a question about the impact your gift makes on girls. They are ready and waiting to meet you.