GSNC Legacy Journal 2024

AwardLegacy Brunch 3rd

Friday, March 15, 2024

The Heritage Club at Bethpage

10:00 AM-12:30 PM

Your Year of

Discovery

Explore a new museum. Play a favorite outdoor game. Sing a funny song with your friends.

When you see the world through her eyes, it’s more vibrant than ever. Get the whole family involved for another year of Girl Scouts and extraordinary memories that will last a lifetime!

Join, volunteer, or donate today!

“Make your mark on the world and leave it a better place than you found it.”

Juliette Gordon Low

Welcome to our 3rd annual Legacy Award Brunch. We are excited to have you join us as we celebrate ten amazing women who are each making her community a better place than she found it through the transformative power of Girl Scouts. These women are all making Nassau County a better place through their work in their communities and by living out the Promise and Law.

As Girl Scouts enters its 112th year, it’s refreshing to see the impact it continues to have on all generations, especially our girls. Your support inspires girls to dream big, encourages them to explore new interests, and sparks their imaginations through our innovative programs.

Thank you for building the next generation of leaders, problem solvers, changemakers, and innovators. We could not do this work without you.

Yours in Girl Scouting,

Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq. President and Chief Volunteer Officer

Randell M. Bynum, LMSW Chief Executive Officer

Randell M. Bynum, LMSW

Andrea Elder-Howell, Esq.

Melanie

Adrian

Susan

Mike

Patricia

Melanie

Lauren

Denise

Thank

Juliette’s Legacy Art Contest

Eliana E.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 2210, Baldwin Service Unit

Charlotte F.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 2210, Baldwin Service Unit

Sothanee S.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 2210, Baldwin Service Unit

Zoe F.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 2324, Baldwin Service Unit

Zoe M.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 2324, Baldwin Service Unit

Emilia L.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 930, Bellmore Service Unit

Scarlett B.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Koi BZ.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

CeCe F.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Skye L-B.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Ava M.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Sophia S.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2575, ELLM Service Unit

Makayla V.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Abigail W.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Emily W.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Mackenzie W.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 2464, ELLM Service Unit

Bodie BZ.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 2600, ELLM Service Unit

Giselle R.

Girl Scout Junior

Troop 1418, Franklin Square Service Unit

Naiara G.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 128, Glen Cove Service Unit

Emma L.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 128, Glen Cove Service Unit

Emila R.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 128, Glen Cove Service Unit

Evelyn W.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 3223, Jericho/Syosset Service Unit

Samantha O.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 3751, Jericho/Syosset Service Unit

Olive D.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 2287, Massapequa Service Unit

Sabrina M.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 2009, Massapequa Service Unit

Sophia C.

Girl Scout Junior

Troop 2045, Oceanside Service Unit

Emily M.

Girl Scout Daisy

Troop 1559, Park Service Unit

Julianna S.

Girl Scout Junior

Troop 3209, Seaford/Wantagh Service Unit

Emma R.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 2324, Seaford/Wantagh Service Unit

Madison G.

Girl Scout Brownie

Troop 3041, The Plains Service Unit

Hailey D.

Girl Scout Cadette

Troop 3693, The Plains Service Unit

Conversations with Rande

Community Spotlight

Joye Brown is a columnist and associate editor at Newsday. She joined the Newsday Media Group in 1983, going on over the years to work as an assigning editor, newsroom manager of editorial staff development, editorial writer, and columnist.

She has won several awards, including a 1984 Pulitzer Prize as part of a Newsday local reporting team; as a Pulitzer finalist in another Newsday team effort, on policing on Long Island. In addition, she’s won recognition from the New York Association of Black Journalists, the Long Island Press Club, the Deadline Club, the Society of Silurians and a host of other journalism organizations.

Brown has also been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Women on Long Island, among numerous other local and civic honors.

Before joining Newsday, Brown worked as an editor for the Mutual Broadcasting Company/ Mutual Black Network in Washington, D.C. and as a reporter for the News & Observer in Raleigh, N.C. and The Chicago Tribune.

She is a native of Washington D.C. and earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Energeia Partnership at Molloy College. Brown lives in Huntington with her husband, Mark.

Both are hopeful their two children return to Long Island someday.

Joye Brown

Award Winning Editor, Writer, and Columnist Newsday

Legacy Award

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County Legacy Award recognizes those changemakers in Nassau County who give back to the community and elevate and support the Girl Scout mission through their work, whether it be in their career or volunteer work. The Legacy Award is awarded to an individual (or business) in Nassau County who is a true leader working to pave the way for a positive future for girls and their families in Nassau County.

Impact Award

The Girl Scouts of Nassau County Impact Award recognizes emerging leaders under 40 in Nassau County who are currently giving back and making contributions to the Girl Scout mission and larger Nassau County community. Awardees are the future legacies of Nassau County.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County Legacy Award Criteria

l Longtime supporter or volunteer with Girl Scouts of Nassau County working in the Nassau County community

l Changemaker

Girl Scouts of Nassau County Impact Award Criteria

l Emerging leader under 40

l Contributing to the Girl Scout mission

LEGACY AWARDEE

Dr. Sandra Lindsay,

DHSc,

MBA, MSN, RN, CCRN-K, NE-BC Vice President, Public Health Advocacy Northwell Health

With more than 28 years of nursing experience, Sandra Lindsay aims to raise the health for all communities, locally and globally.

On December 14, 2020, she was propelled into the global spotlight after becoming the first person in the U.S. to receive the COVID-19 vaccine outside of a clinical trial. Since the historic shot, Dr. Lindsay has become an advocate for vaccinations and dispelling misinformation, and a supporter of medical research and global health equity.

In July 2022, President Joseph Biden awarded her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor given to a U.S. citizen and the second honor given by President Biden. Dr. Lindsay has met with the President of the United Nations, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, among other notable world leaders.

Dr. Lindsay previously served as director of patient care services in critical care at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Medical Center. She leads the health system in expanding knowledge of issues that affect community health, public policy and other aspects of health care. She is also the co-host of Northwell’s 20-Minute Health Talk podcast. She has published research in the journal Nurse Management on the role leadership plays regarding nurse satisfaction.

Dr. Lindsay was born in Jamaica and raised by her parents and grandparents. She and her siblings moved to the United States in 1986 where she put herself through nursing school working as a babysitter and cashier in a supermarket.

IMPACT AWARDEE

Gabby Fidis, RDT, LCAT

Creative Arts Therapist

Bellevue Hospital

Gabrielle Fidis, RDT, LCAT (she/her/hers) has been involved in Girl Scouting since she was a young Daisy. Over the years, she has participated in the Girl Scout Chorus, Camp Blue Bay summer sessions, troop camping at Blue Bay, and completed both her Bronze Award and Silver Award. In 2012 and 2013, she worked as a Unit Counselor and Assistant Unit Leader at Camp Blue Bay. As an adult Lifetime Member, Gabrielle has been involved as a Delegate for the West Hempstead/Franklin Square (WHFS) service unit, as well as most recently elected to be a National Delegate representing Girl Scouts of Nassau County in Florida. In the fall, she joined GSNC’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Gabrielle attributes what she learned about leadership, community engagement, and the importance of female role models in this world to her time as a Girl Scout. She hopes to find places in her life where she can apply these qualities, and continue to abide by the Girl Scout Law to “make the world a better place.”

Gabrielle is putting this philosophy into practice in her career as a Drama Therapist. In September 2021, she received her Master of Arts in Drama Therapy from New York University. In her program, she interned in environments providing services to people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, women/families experiencing domestic violence, and patients in inpatient psychiatry units in a hospital setting. She is currently working as a Creative Arts Therapist at Bellevue Hospital in adult acute inpatient psychiatry on a dual-diagnosis unit for substance use disorders and psychosis.

IMPACT AWARDEE

Allie McCormick Student

Lifetime member, Bronze, Silver, and Gold Award recipient, and Girl Scout of twelve years, Allie McCormick is honored to be receiving Girl Scouts of Nassau County’s Impact Award, because for as long as she can remember, Girl Scouts has played a significant role in her life.

As a member of both the ceremonial unit and a media girl for eight years, Allie learned vital skills that helped her get accepted and thrive, as a freshman at Washington College. Additionally, her time serving on the GSNC Board and on the Girl Leadership Committee gave her invaluable experiences, which impacted her view of the world. At the 2023 Girl Scout National Convention, Allie participated as a national delegate, and acted as the only girl member of the resource team for the DEI proposal (which passed!), where she provided the girl perspective on DEI issues.

Aside from her involvement in Girl Scouts, Allie enjoys spending time with loved ones, being creative, and playing music. She is on track to complete her bachelor’s degree in both music and psychology and hopes to earn her master’s and doctorate in music therapy, so that she can open her own practice.

Allie is passionate about helping others, which is evident in her community service with various organizations, including the nonprofit Jericho Cares (which her Mom is the founder of!). As only an 18-year-old with her whole life ahead of her, Allie hopes to continue to make the world a better place.

IMPACT AWARDEE

LaTonja Lee

Athletic Trainer

Prehab

LaTonja Lee graduated from the University at Albany in 2006 with a degree in Human Biology with a concentration in Anthropology and obtained a master’s degree in athletic trainer, Sports Medicine from Long Island University in 2010.

LaTonja, a Gold Award Girl Scout is also a dedicated member of the New York State Athletic Trainers Association Diversity & Inclusion committee since 2015, has passionately advocated for the Athletic Training profession throughout her career, which spans over a decade. Assuming the role of Committee Chair in January 2019, she emphasized diversity and inclusion, believing in the importance of expanding access to students across New York State.

During her tenure as committee chair, LaTonja collaborated with Girl Scouts of Nassau County to co-host a fitness party, engaging over 40 girls in a Women in Athletic Training Workshop. In March 2020, she initiated impactful video compilations for National Athletic Trainers Month, highlighting cultural competency and ethnic representation.

Her advocacy extended to creating an Athletic Training brochure for secondary schools, providing accurate statistics, and enhancing visibility at career fairs and in 2022, she partnered with the USA Lacrosse Sankofa Lacrosse Foundation, organizing a clinic for over 160 underserved youth in Long Island communities.

In 2023, LaTonja led an event in Indianapolis during the 74th National Athletic Trainers Convention, collaborating with Girl Scouts of Indianapolis Sports Week to introduce girls aged 7 to 16 to various aspects of athletic training.

Focused on education, advocacy, and collaboration, LaTonja remains committed to promoting the athletic training profession through ongoing initiatives and partnerships.

IMPACT AWARDEE

Katherine Sun

Student

Katherine Sun is a dedicated advocate for empowering young girls and fostering community engagement. With the seven years she has served as a Girl Scout, Katherine has been an active member of the Girl Leadership Committee, spearheading various outreach initiatives that aim to inspire and mentor young girls.

Her commitment to the Girl Scout community is evident through the impactful events she has orchestrated, fostering inclusivity and empowerment among girls of diverse backgrounds. As a former national delegate, Katherine participated as a voting member to initiate positive change within the National Girl Scout community.

Currently pursuing her studies at the University of Rochester, Katherine is channeling her passion for empowering others into her academic pursuits. Majoring in biomedical engineering and complementing her studies with a minor in economics, she aspires to leverage her interdisciplinary skills to address healthcare challenges and contribute meaningfully to the field.

Beyond her academic endeavors, Katherine remains actively engaged in initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, leadership, and STEM education. Her multifaceted experiences within the Girl Scouts and academia have equipped her with a unique blend of leadership, problem-solving, and community-building skills. She has continued her contribution by becoming an active member of her university’s Society of Women Engineers.

Trailblazer TrefoilHonorees*

*Previous honorees that were to be honored during our March Women’s History Month celebration but canceled due to the pandemic.

Susan Canatella

has over 25 years of Girl Scout service, volunteering as a leader for her 3 daughters’ Girl Scout troops, from kindergarten through 12th grade. In addition to her daughters, many of the young women in her troops earned their Gold Awards. Realizing the benefit of earning the Gold Award, she became a member of the Gold Award Committee, upon retiring from leadership. She also served two terms as SUVM for Manhasset Girl Scouts and sits on the Girl Scout Catholic Committee. Her favorite Girl Scout memory is helping her youngest daughter’s troop realize their dream of spending a week at Our Chalet in Switzerland. In addition to Girl Scouting, Susan is involved with her parish church and schools.

Susan Cannatella

For more than 20 years, Geri A. Gregor, CPA has been helping organizations successfully address their financial challenges. She draws on her diverse experience as in-house CFO/COO, outside consultant, and within accounting firms to provide businesses with a clear understanding of their operations and finances.

Geri has worked with organizations of all types, and has a long track record with the Construction, Higher Education, and Government sectors including companies ranging in size from $5 Million to $150 Million in revenue. Her commitment to helping businesses goes beyond financial advice. Through a partnership with the Velez Organization, Geri provides training and financial guidance to Minority, Women and Local Business Enterprises (MWLBEs) through the New York City School Construction Agency’s Mentor Technical Assistance Program (MTAP).

Active in the financial and business community, Geri currently is Co-Chairperson of the Board of Directors for Educational Assistance Corporation (EAC) Network. She is a member of the AICPA, and the New York State Society of CPAs. Her philanthropic activities include positions as past Board Member and Treasurer of the ACE Mentor Program of Greater New York, which is a free, award-winning, afterschool program designed to attract high school students into pursuing careers in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering industry and Women’s Builders Council and Professional Women

Construction. A lifetime member of Girl Scouts of Nassau County, Geri also served as a board member for many years and the Co-Chairperson of their 100th Year Gala.

A regular public speaker and writer, Geri provides training and seminars on financial and business management topics to other organizations including the AIA and New York City Small Business Services. In addition, she has served as an Adjunct Professor at the Frank G. Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University. Geri is a past honoree at the Long Island Power Women in Business event and has been named one of Long Island’s Top 50 Most Influential Women in Business by Long Island Business News.

Geri Gregor, CPA

A passion for people and the support of their success has been the driving force behind Wanda Jackson’s 25-year career in Human Resources. She is the National Urban League’s Senior Vice President, Human Resources, and Chief Talent Officer. Ms. Jackson plays a key role in the management of the League’s diversity-related programs and national leadership development programs,

An active community volunteer, Ms. Jackson is the immediate past President and Chief Volunteer Officer for the Girls Scouts of Nassau County and is a member of the Nassau County Community College Board of Trustees and the Greater Jamaica Economic Development Corporation. Ms. Jackson is also a member of the Links, Incorporated, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. She is one of The Network Journal’s 2017 Top Women in Business and has received numerous other awards recognizing her volunteer service.

Wanda is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication and holds a M.S. in Human Resources Management from the New School.

Wanda Jackson

Diane, an experienced attorney, and Executive Compliance Officer

at MTA NYC Transit Authority is a skilled advocate and civic leader. Born in Jamaica, West Indies, she immigrated to the United States with a vision of empowering herself and others through education. Diane’s journey took her from Brooklyn Technical High School to Hofstra University School of Law. As an Assistant District Attorney in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office, Diane worked to make a difference both in and out of the courtroom. She mentored fifth-grade students in the office’s adopt-a-school program, emphasizing education and community service. Following her time as a prosecutor, Diane held various positions, in both the private and public sectors.

Being a Girl Scout herself, she accepted these challenges as an opportunity to serve her community and be instrumental in the development of young women. Diane served as a former GSNC President and Chief Volunteer Officer, Executive Vice President, Vice President, and on the Council Nominating Committee, including as Chair and ex-officio Member-at-Large of the Board of Directors. As a member of the Long Island Chapter of The Links Incorporated, a volunteer international organization of over 17,000 business and professional women committed to community service with a focus on education, health and wellness, worldwide issues, and civic involvement, she served as Second Vice President and in various positions, currently as the Ethics and Standards Chair.

Diane serves as a member of several boards and organizations. She currently resides in Baldwin, New York.

Diane McFarlane, Esq.

Joanne Meyer-Jendras is a retired educator with 42 years of service as a teacher, school counselor, and school administrator.

In addition to her experience as an educator, Joanne volunteers for several organizations, including Girl Scouts of Nassau County. As a member of the Garden City Service Unit, Joanne has taken on on leadership roles as a SUVM (Community Manager of Volunteers), Girl Scout Gold Award Mentor, Girl Scout Leader (for several middle and high school age troops), Garden City Delegate Chair, and Garden City Service Team Member.

As a part of the Garden City community, Joanne is an active member of the Garden City Chamber Foundation and sits on the Board of Trustees for both RotaCare Inc. and New Ground Inc. Along with her role as a board member, Joanne is co-chairperson of the RotaCare Fundraiser Ball and has been a member of New Ground Inc.’s Committee for Fundraising since 2011. She has been a Eucharistic Minister for St Joseph Church in Garden City since 1990 and was the Eucharistic Minister for NYU Langone Medical Center in Mineola until the pandemic.

Additionally, Joanne is a prominent member of the Mineola-Garden City Rotary Club Inc., previously serving as the club’s president and currently as the Moderator of the High School Interact Club at Garden City High School, Chairperson of the High School Scholarship committee for Garden City and Mineola, and Co-Chairperson for Holiday Parties and Community Service Awards Dinner. She is also the recipient of and received nominations for the following awards: Nominated for the New York State Senate Women of Distinction Award (1998), Nominated for the New York State Pathfinders Award (2001), Selected for the New York State Women of Distinction Award (2004), Earned the Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (2005), Outstanding Service Award for the Garden City Kiwanis Club (2008), Outstanding Service Award-Garden City UFSD/ Scope Awards (2011), PTA Lifetime Service Award (2013), Rotary “Paul Harris Fellow” Award (2019).

Joanne Meyer-Jendras

supports Girl Scouts of Nassau County

PSEG Long Island is proud to support Girl Scouts of Nassau County and congratulates all of the honorees.

Regina

Regina.Rule@morganstanley.com

https://advisor.morganstanley.com/the-ressa-group/family NMLS

Hofstra University can help you get where you want to go, with small classes, dedicated faculty, and a beautiful, energized campus, plus all the opportunities of New York City within easy reach.

Learn more at hofstra.edu/visit

We join with GSNC in saluting the Legacy Luncheon honorees: Legacy Award Recipient

Dr. Sandra Lindsay and Impact Award Recipients

Gabrielle Fidis

LaTonja Lee

Allie McCormick

Katherine Sun

Thank you for your continued hard work and dedication in helping each Girl Scout reach her highest potential.

“Best wishes from those who love you.”

Mommy, Brent, Dana, and Jack

Dr. Sandra Lindsay

Northwell Health Legacy Award

Gabby Fidis

Bellevue Hospital Impact Award

Susan Cannatella Trailblazer Trefoil

LaTonja Lee Prehab Impact Award

Geri

Gregor Trailblazer Trefoil

Allie McCormick Student Impact Award

Wanda

Jackson Trailblazer Trefoil

Katherine Sun Student Impact Award

Diane McFarlane Trailblazer Trefoil

Joanne Meyer-Jendras Trailblazer Trefoil

www.nsllpcpa.com

Nawrocki Smith LLP is a regional public accounting firm based in Hauppauge, New York and is comprised of over fifty professionals and support staff. Our firm services a diverse clientele and provides a broad range of services.

• Emergent Business Consulting & Tax Services

• Audit & Assurance

• Insurance Claim Consulting

• Internal Audit, Compliance & Fraud Prevention

• Business Valuation, Fraud Examinations / Forensic Accounting

• Dispute Resolution

• Peer Review

• Due Diligence

Industries Serviced include financial services, governm ent, not-for-profit, insurance, manufacturing and the wholesale/retail trade.

We serve a broad spectrum of clients from individuals, small to mid -size corporations, Fortune 500 companies, local governments, healthcare entities to not -for-profit organizations.

Mission Statement

Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place.

Misión

Girl Scouts ayuda a las niñas a desarrollar la confianza en sí mismas,el valor y los principios para hacer del mundo un mejor lugar.

The Girl Scout Promise

On my honor, I will try:

To serve God* and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law.

*Members may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

The Girl Scout Law

I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Commitment to Pluralism

Girl Scouts of Nassau County is committed to achieve pluralism through respect for and appreciation of the religious, racial, ethnic, social, and economic diversity of this county by reflecting that diversity in its membership, leadership, and programming.

This commitment is an integral part of all that we do as an organization.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County is an equal opportunity, affirmative action agency.

La Promesa de las Girl Scouts

*

Por mi honor, yo trataré: De servir a Dios y a mi patria, ayudar a las personas en todo momento, y vivir conforme a la Ley de Girl Scouts.

*Los miembros pueden sustituir la palabra Dios de acuerdo con sus propias creencias espirituales.

La Ley de las Girl Scouts

Yo me esforzaré por: ser honrada y justa cordial y servicial, considerada y compasiva, valiente y fuerte, y responsable de lo que digo y hago, y por respetarme a mí misma y a los demás respetar la autoridad usar los recursos de manera prudente, hacer del mundo un lugar mejor, y ser hermana de cada una de las Girl Scouts.

Dedicación al pluralismo

Girl Scouts of Nassau County está dedicada a alcanzar el pluralismo actuando con respeto y aprecio hacia la diversidad religiosa, racial, étnica, social y económica de este condado reflejando la diversidad en su membresía, liderazgo y programación.

Esta dedicación es esencial en todo lo que hacemos como una organización.

Girl Scouts of Nassau County es una agencia de discriminación de igualdad de oportunidades y de acción afirmativa.