Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania announced that retired Rear Admiral Janet Donovan has been appointed as the organization’s new CEO. Donovan will begin her duties on Sept. 3.

Donovan is a retired U.S. Navy two star rear admiral and former deputy commander in the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy with more than 20 years of executive experience in strategy development, talent management and collaboration.

Kathy McCorkle, chairwoman of the GSHPA board, said, “Along with her leadership experience in the U.S. Navy, Janet has a deep knowledge of Girl Scouts having been a Girl Scout herself and having shepherded her three now-grown daughters through the Girl Scout experience. This was an important factor in her decision to apply for the CEO role.”

She has completed numerous professional development and executive training courses in strategic planning, strategic communication and innovation, coalition-building, finance and accounting, cyber security, risk management and ethics.

“I have seen firsthand the character-building impact that Girl Scouts can make in the lives of young women,” said Donovan. “Girl Scouting provides a distinctive experience to prepare our next generation of confident and capable leaders.”

Her first priority will be to meet with girls, troop leaders and volunteers throughout the 30-county GSHPA service territory. Over the last three years, GSHPA has experienced record membership growth — even among its national peers — as a result of new and innovative programs that allow girls to participate in a range of activities from outdoor experiences to STEAM, entrepreneurship and financial literacy, all in a supportive, encouraging, all-girl environment.

The council covers Carbon, Monroe and Schuylkill counties.